The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA
The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA
3069.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - Board 9
Abstract #70894
Sexual behaviors and attitudes of adolescent girls with older vs. similar-aged boyfriends
L. Kris Gowen, PhD, EdM, FACCT, 1200 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 470, Portland, OR 97212, 503-546-9714, kgowen@facct.org
Learning Objectives:
Sexual behaviors and attitudes of female adolescents were studied as a function of age of boyfriend. A school-based, ethnically diverse sample of 9th-grade girls was surveyed on sexual attitudes, motives, behaviors, and risky sexual practices. Results showed that in terms of behavior, girls with older boyfriends were more likely than girls with similar aged boyfriends to engage in all forms of sexual intimacy, to have sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to experience sexual coercion. In terms of sexual attitudes, girls with older boyfriends were more likely to believe that guys are sexually driven, sex “just happens,” and sex is related to maturity. These results are discussed in terms of how sex education should be taught in schools; namely, that age of partner should be included in discussions of safer sex practices. The potential power differential that emerges when girls date older boys needs to be addressed both in school curriculum as well as in the public light. Classroom exercises addressing this issue are presented as a way for high school students to think about the pressures, power issues, and reasons why girls are likely to date older boys. These exercises also note the potential safety problems that accompany this behavior.
By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:
1. Identify why older boyfriends may be an obstacle towards practicing safer sex practices for high school girls.
2. Understand possible reasons as to why older boyfriends present a threat to safer sex practices.
3. Address the issue of age of partner in a high-school based sex education course through discussion and class participation exercises.
Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement: I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
