Boys and Sex...And Sex...And Sex
What boys think about sex can be found in a 2010 survey conducted for Seventeen Magazine and The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
In "That's What He Said: What Guys Think About Sex, Love, Contraception, and Relationships," , 1200 male teens and young men ages 15-22 were interviewed online. Here are just a few of the statistics:
p.3 (page numbers not counting the cover):
More than three-quarters (78%) agreed there is "way too much pressure" from society to have sex.
p.4:
-57% admitted having unprotected sex (47% of the younger group, 63% of the older).
-Nearly one-third (30%) said they would have sex even if they didn't have a condom.
-About 33% said they've had sex with a girl when they knew she was drunk (careful, girls!).
-One in six (17%) admitted they've not used protection unless their partner insisted.
-15% didn't know that condoms aren't foolproof.
-23% have lied about not being virgins when they actually were. Of the guys who admitted lying about having sex:
-44% have lied about having sex to appear more sexually experienced.
-39% say they lied about having sex to appear "cooler" (44% of the younger, 35% of the older group).
-Seven out of ten (71%) guys said that a girl who has "sexted" (sent/posted nude or semi-nude images of herself electronically) is not girlfriend material.
p.7:
-Guys are influenced by pornographic images and sex education.
-Here's the clincher in numbers...542 of those interviewed were virgins! That's the best news for girls on the boys and sex front in a while. In related news...
New 2010 Abstinence Survey reveals - Abstinence education can work when it's not all or nothing at all:
The February 2010 Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine Journal reveals that abstinence education is working.
The Obama administration recently eliminated over $170 million in federal abstinence education assistance. The decision relied on studies authorized by Congress in 1997 that concluded the abstinence approach was ineffective compared to "safer sex" condom education.
However, the new abstinence study, "Efficacy of a Theory-Based Abstinence-Only Intervention Over 24 Months," does not throw the condoms out with the bath water.
The survey was done with 662 African-American sixth-and seventh-graders (both boys and girls) considered at "high risk" for experimenting with sex. They were randomly assigned to take either abstinence curriculum; safe sex curriculum including the use of condoms; or programs combined with other ways to stay healthy. In the abstinence education, nothing was said against using condoms for safer sex.
After two years, the findings showed:
-33% of the students in the abstinence program started having sex, compared with about 52% from the safe sex education group. That's a 21% difference in favor of abstinence ed.
-Of those in the combined program, it measured 42% to 47%.
-Students receiving the abstinence-centered education initiated sex less and had fewer sexual partners.
-Students in the program who did decide to have sex were no less likely or more likely to use a condom than those in other "safer sex" classes.
-Those receiving safe-sex and comprehensive sex education showed little difference compared to students receiving no formal sex education at all.
See additional details and information about the new abstinence education study here at The Underground Online Magazine.
Sources:
-2010 USA Today Report: "Truth about sex: 60% of young men, boys lie about it," Sharon Jayson, 1/26/10.
-The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (home page).
-The Seventeen Magazine/National Campaign Study: "That's What He Said..." (pdf).
-2010 Washington Post article on new studies: "Abstinence-only programs might work, study says," Rob Stein,
2/10/2010.
-Archives of Pediatric & Adoloscent Medicine Journal: "Efficacy of a Theory-Based Abstinence-Only...".
-2007 Washington Post article on old studies: "Study Casts Doubt on Abstinence-Only Programs," Laura Sessions Stepp, 4/14/07.
Published by Sheryl Young - Featured Contributor in Politics
Freelance writer since 1997; Featured Political Contributor for Yahoo!; Tampa Tribune Community Columnist/Blogger; Chicken Soup for the Soul; Amy Foundation National Writing Award; happy wife, proud step-mom... View profile
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59 Comments
Post a CommentInteresting report. Well-done.
I just think it's sad that we have to have an abstinence "program" in order for it to be discussed in the classroom. If more health/science teachers would present all sides of the story, they would hear the message! I just did a health unit in my 7th grade science class, and I told them the truth! Abstinence is the only 100% way to not get pregnant!
and today, teachers take advantage of the kids too. very odd world we live in.
There's some scary statistics in those findings!
Wow, those statistics are alarming! Great report on this. Sex education is such a tough issue because kids take their knowledge and values from so much more than just what they learn in school. I'm in no way envious of the people having to make the tough decisions on which approach to take!
Abstinence would be great to inflict in all teens, but so many do give into peer pressure. :(
I'm glad to see abstinence training work, too young parents really have a difficult time of life :)
When I was growing up, the peer pressure was on smoking, now it's sex. It's not easy for kids growing up.
I have a thirteen year old and an eight year old. Both boys. I allow any and all questions, regardless of how much they embarrass me. It's all I can do to keep them safe. Hope it works.
Wow, teenage boys are terribly stupid about using protection, aren't they? Interesting (if scary) statistics!