engleski

Gender differences in sexual experience and responsible behaviour in adolescence

Objective: Sexuality in adolescence may include some aspects of unsafe sexual activities such as, engaging in sex under alcohol and opiates, not using condoms, etc. These sexual irresponsible behaviours can make adolescents vulnerable to numerous negative health consequences. So in this study we focus on a sexual responsible behaviour and differences in sexual experience between male and female adolescents. Design and Method: In this study 310 high school and college students (158 females and 152 males) between the ages 16 to 23 were assessed with Sexual responsible behaviour scale and Sexual experience scale. Results: It was found that age of sexual initiation differ between males and females. Age of first sexual intercourse for females was 18, and for males 16. Main reason for sexual initiation for young females was being in love, while curiosity and pleasure were for males. 15% of females and 3% of males had some health problems caused by risk sexual activities. Females are using almost always contraceptives while male adolescents occasionally. Further, female adolescents have higher result on Sexual responsible behaviour scale than males. It seems that continuous using of contraceptives is in significant positive correlation with sexual responsible behaviour, as well as later sexual initiation. Conclusions: Some gender differences were found in sexual experience and in sexual responsible behaviour. Sexual initiation for males is earlier than for females. It seems that more females are prone to act responsible in sexual domain ; at the same time more females had health issues caused by sexual risk activities.

Sexual experience; sexual responsible behaviour; adolescence

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