Sexual attitudes and behavior at four universities: do region, race, and/or religion matter?
This study sought to ascertain any differences in sexual attitudes, levels of premarital sexual involvement, and risk-taking sexual practices of college students at four distinctly different universities: a historic Black public university; a predominately white, Southern private university with a religious heritage; a Southwestern public university; and a Midwestern public university. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to a volunteer sample of 1,915 never-married women and 1,111 never-married men in select upper and lower division classes. Numerous significant differences among campuses were found regarding sexual history, first sexual intercourse, and sexual risk-taking. Religion, family background, and campus milieu were strong mediating variables, but race appeared as the single most influential factor differentiating the sexual attitudes and behavior of these college students. Implications are suggested for professionals in fields of research, education, and therapy.
Davidson
J Kenneth
JK
Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2634 Collingwood Drive, Round Rock, Texas 78664, USA. davidsj@uwec.edu
Moore
Nelwyn B
NB
Earle
John R
JR
Davis
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012736:Sex Education; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data