Gender-Specific Changes in Students' Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes at a Southeastern University between 1973 and 1988

• Published in: Journal of American college health Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 99 - 104
• Main Authors: Dunn, Patricia C., Knight, Sharon M., Glascoff, Mary A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01.11.1992
• Subjects: 1973-1988; Adolescent; Adult; Attitude Measures; Behavior Change; Changes; College Students; Female; Gender differences; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Higher Education; Humans; Interpersonal Relationship; Male; Personal Satisfaction; Sex Differences; Sex Education; Sexual Attitudes; Sexual Behavior; Sexual behaviour; Sexuality; sexuality eduction; Southeastern United States; Student Attitudes; Students; Students - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; USA; Southeastern United States
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.1992.9936308

This study investigated the gender-specific, self-reported sexual behaviors and attitudes of never-married college students attending a southeastern university in 1973 and 1988. Data were collected by means of a mailed questionnaire that remained essentially unchanged for both years. The authors found that both men and women reported an increase in heterosexual relationships that included sexual intercourse and a decrease in nonsexual relationships with the other gender. The majority of the students perceived themselves as adequately informed about sexuality and satisfied with their relationships, although the proportion of men who reported being satisfied with their relationships declined over the 15 years. The students indicated that sexuality education should focus primarily on information about AIDS and on preparation for marriage.