Press release from Rutgers WPF
Over the past year, almost 8000 young people between the ages of 12 and 25 were interviewed about their sexual behavior and experiences for the Sex under 25 2012 study. The study was conducted by Rutgers WPF and Soa Aids Nederland. A similar representative and large-scale study was conducted in 2005.
First time is often unexpected
The sexual behavior of young people has hardly changed compared to 2005, the year in which the previous 'Sex under 25' study took place. The age at which young people have sex for the first time has remained virtually the same. The majority of young people still protect themselves well against pregnancy. Sexual boundaries are still often crossed. New information is that the first time young people have intercourse happens unexpectedly for many of them, and that girls regret their first time more often than boys. Young people stop using condoms too quickly when they are in a relationship. Homosexual boys come out a year earlier than in 2005 on average, despite limited acceptance.
Consistent image
Hardly any changes took place in young people’s sexual behavior compared to 2005. Their sexual ‘career’ is virtually the same as seven years ago. The age at which young people have sex for the first time is still the same: half of all young people have experience with intercourse at the age of 17,1. The majority of young people also protects themselves well against pregnancy, like in 2005. Eighty-seven percent of boys and 91 percent of girls use a condom, the birth control pill or another kind of contraceptive when they have sex for the first time. 78 percent of the boys and 81 percent of the girls consistently used methods for pregnancy prevention with their last partner.
First time is unexpected and not always fun
The first time young people have sex comes unexpectedly for no less than 38 percent of the boys and 31 percent of the girls. This group is less well protected against pregnancy and STI’s. In addition, boys and girls differ in their experience of their first time. One in four girls states that she found the first time unpleasant, whereas one in twenty boys did. A striking number, because the number one reason for sex according to boys is to make the partner feel good. Twenty-nine percent of the girls says that they regret their first time, against 16 percent of the boys. Out of all girls, 22 percent would have wanted to wait with their first time, against 8 percent of all boys.
Boundary-crossing behavior is still common
Even though young people judge their ability to define their boundaries in a very positive way, many young people have experiences with sexual boundary-crossing behavior, especially girls and homo- or bisexual boys. Seventeen percent of the girls and four percent of the boys states that they have been forced into sexual activities they did not want. For homo- and bisexual boys above the age of 17 this is more than 16 percent. Over 7 percent of the girls has had intercourse against her will. Six percent of the boys and 12 percent of the girls state that someone has gotten angry with them so that they would have sex. Six percent of girls and two percent of the boys has experienced physical violence.
Young people stop using condoms too soon within relationships
75 percent of young people use a condom during the first time they have sex. Twenty-two percent of the boys and 34 percent of the girls have only used a condom with their last partner during the beginning of their relationship. Only 22 per cent acts upon the advice to use condoms for at least three months, and 13 percent even stops using them after a week. Two thirds of them states that they did not get tested for STIs and HIV when they stopped using a condom.
Homosexual young people come out earlier, despite limited acceptance
The age at which boys express their attraction to the same sex for the first time has decreased from 17,8 years old to 16,6 years old in six years. For lesbian girls this age has not changed significantly, averaging 15,9 years old. The acceptation of homosexuality, however, is still limited for young people. For example, almost all young people are okay with a boy and girl kissing in the street, but half of all boys and 25 percent of girls condemn two boys doing the same. 16 percent of boys and 25 percent of girls are not okay with two girls kissing in the street. Twelve percent of boys and three percent of girls state that they would end a friendship if one of their friends would be gay.
The final version of this report will be published in April 2012.
