Gender differences in Ayrshire teenagers' attitudes to sexual relationships, responsibility and unintended pregnancies.
Disadvantages and risks related to teenage pregnancy, together with a recent increase in Scottish conception rates among teenagers aged 13-15 years old, give cause for concern. Using an illustrated short story and questionnaire, attitudes of 129 Ayrshire teenagers aged 14-15 years old were examined to teenage pregnancy, and more generally to early sex. Seventy-three percent of girls advocated joint responsibility for contraceptive protection compared with only 46% of boys (p<0.01). Also, significantly more boys than girls saw nothing wrong with casual sex (21%vs. 5%, p<0.01), and significantly less boys than girls upheld the virtue of commitment in sexual relationships (27%vs. 54%, p<0.01). Sex education programmes should explore these gender-related disparities.
Health Promotion Service, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine, UK.
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Hooke
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Capewell
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Whyte
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012941:Social Responsibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom