Sexual attitudes and behavior are changing among young people
It might seem obvious, particularly to those of us living in Pattaya, that sexual mores within our societies have changed over the years. We seem to be living in a much more permissive society than our parents and grandparents did. A study published this month in the journal; Review of General Psychology, sheds light on how these changes have appeared in the attitudes and behavior of North American young people.
Examining 530 studies which were published over a period of 56 years, involving 269,649 subjects, researchers concluded that today’s young people are having intercourse earlier, engaging more in oral sex, and are feeling less guilty about their sexual behavior than did previous generations. The changes are most pronounced among females.
During the late 1990s, sexual activity was reported by 47% of surveyed teenaged girls and young women, aged 12 to 27 years of age. During the 1950s, a mere 13% of this group reported being sexually active. Increases in sexual activity also appeared among young men, although the changes were not as pronounced.
The popularity of oral sex has also increased over the years. In 1969, 48% of young men and 42% of young women reported engaging in oral sex. By 1993 the figures had risen to 72% for young men and 71% for young women, according to the report.
Investigators found that young people are becoming sexually active at a younger age, as compared to previous generations. Before 1970, the average age at which young men and women were first having intercourse was 18 and 19 years of age, respectively. The average had dropped to 15 years for both groups by the late 1990s.
Interestingly, although sexual behavior of young people has become more permissive over the years, the average number of sexual partners reported by those participating in the study showed no significant change over the five decades covered by the study.
Besides examining sexual behavior, the researchers also looked at changes in the attitudes of young people relating to sexual behavior. Results indicate that young people have become more approving of premarital sex over the years. Young women in the late 1950s overwhelmingly disapproved of premarital sex, with only 12% approving. A whopping 73% approved by the 1980s. For young men the figure went from 40% approval in the 1950s to 79% by the 1980s.
Consistent with changes in attitude toward premarital sex, researchers found a decrease in sexual guilt among young people of both genders. Once again, females showed the most dramatic changes in attitudes toward sex.
An interesting question concerns the nature of the relationship between the attitudes and sexual behavior of young people. If changes in behavior preceded changes in attitude, it might be inferred that changes in behavior were affecting attitudes. If, on the other hand, attitudes were changing first, the reverse might be the case, with changes in attitudes bringing about behavior change. A third possibility is that attitudes and behaviors changed in tandem. Results supported the latter alternative: attitudes and behavior changed simultaneously, particularly among females.
These results, in my opinion, may be viewed as a mixed bag. Clearly, a move away from guilt-ridden and restrictive norms of sexual behavior among young adults may be seen as a positive development. Premarital sex between consenting young people, although often discouraged by societal institutions, seems quite normal, and healthy for most. While there might be good reasons to abstain for those young people who wish to do so, guilt is not one of them. Guilt and self-condemnation for performing such acts seems quite unhealthy.
Unfortunately, engaging more freely in sexual activities in the age of HIV/AIDS poses a particular hazard to young people who might not have been adequately informed about the risks and methods of avoiding contracting STDs. Young people are notoriously naive in assessing risks, and often behave as if they are impervious to danger. Perhaps the present understanding of the trends in the attitudes and sexual behavior of young people could serve as a reminder of the importance of educating our young people to the risks and responsibilities that go along with the greater sexual freedom they now enjoy.
Examining 530 studies which were published over a period of 56 years, involving 269,649 subjects, researchers concluded that today’s young people are having intercourse earlier, engaging more in oral sex, and are feeling less guilty about their sexual behavior than did previous generations. The changes are most pronounced among females.
During the late 1990s, sexual activity was reported by 47% of surveyed teenaged girls and young women, aged 12 to 27 years of age. During the 1950s, a mere 13% of this group reported being sexually active. Increases in sexual activity also appeared among young men, although the changes were not as pronounced.
The popularity of oral sex has also increased over the years. In 1969, 48% of young men and 42% of young women reported engaging in oral sex. By 1993 the figures had risen to 72% for young men and 71% for young women, according to the report.
Investigators found that young people are becoming sexually active at a younger age, as compared to previous generations. Before 1970, the average age at which young men and women were first having intercourse was 18 and 19 years of age, respectively. The average had dropped to 15 years for both groups by the late 1990s.
Interestingly, although sexual behavior of young people has become more permissive over the years, the average number of sexual partners reported by those participating in the study showed no significant change over the five decades covered by the study.
Besides examining sexual behavior, the researchers also looked at changes in the attitudes of young people relating to sexual behavior. Results indicate that young people have become more approving of premarital sex over the years. Young women in the late 1950s overwhelmingly disapproved of premarital sex, with only 12% approving. A whopping 73% approved by the 1980s. For young men the figure went from 40% approval in the 1950s to 79% by the 1980s.
Consistent with changes in attitude toward premarital sex, researchers found a decrease in sexual guilt among young people of both genders. Once again, females showed the most dramatic changes in attitudes toward sex.
An interesting question concerns the nature of the relationship between the attitudes and sexual behavior of young people. If changes in behavior preceded changes in attitude, it might be inferred that changes in behavior were affecting attitudes. If, on the other hand, attitudes were changing first, the reverse might be the case, with changes in attitudes bringing about behavior change. A third possibility is that attitudes and behaviors changed in tandem. Results supported the latter alternative: attitudes and behavior changed simultaneously, particularly among females.
These results, in my opinion, may be viewed as a mixed bag. Clearly, a move away from guilt-ridden and restrictive norms of sexual behavior among young adults may be seen as a positive development. Premarital sex between consenting young people, although often discouraged by societal institutions, seems quite normal, and healthy for most. While there might be good reasons to abstain for those young people who wish to do so, guilt is not one of them. Guilt and self-condemnation for performing such acts seems quite unhealthy.
Unfortunately, engaging more freely in sexual activities in the age of HIV/AIDS poses a particular hazard to young people who might not have been adequately informed about the risks and methods of avoiding contracting STDs. Young people are notoriously naive in assessing risks, and often behave as if they are impervious to danger. Perhaps the present understanding of the trends in the attitudes and sexual behavior of young people could serve as a reminder of the importance of educating our young people to the risks and responsibilities that go along with the greater sexual freedom they now enjoy.
posted by Michael | Tuesday, October 11, 2005
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