Younger versus older gay men: risks, pleasures and dangers of anal sex.
This study reports on the practice and the pleasure and danger perceptions of protected and unprotected anal sex of young adult gay men (< or = 30) and older gay men (30+). It is assumed that, if prevention efforts were successful, younger gay men-sexually socialized during the AIDS era-should have more favourable perceptions of anal sex with a condom. Data from a cohort of gay men in Flanders, Belgium (1993, n = 553) are used in this analysis. The results indicate that younger gay men do not differ from older gay men in the riskiness/safety of their actual sexual behaviour. However, younger men hold different valuations regarding anal sex. They report a higher appraisal for both insertive and receptive anal sex with a condom. The perceived safety of protected anal sex is also higher among the younger men. We also found that younger men with a steady partner report more gratification from insertive anal sex with a condom than do older partnered men. We interpret these findings as evidence of the effectiveness of HIV prevention efforts.
Vincke
J
J
Department of Sociology, University of Ghent, Belgium.
Bolton
R
R
Miller
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017280:Condoms; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment