Examines differences in how working class and middle class New Zealand parents handle sexuality issues with their adolescents, noting that the age of sexual activity is falling, and increasing numbers of students are sexually active. Middle class girls are asserting their right to sexual activity, while working class girls are separating their…

Surveyed 1,773 Massachusetts adolescents to explore relationships among the following topics: (1) alcohol and drug use; (2) perceived susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); (3) use of condoms; (4) effectiveness of condoms in preventing infection; (5) barriers to condom use; and (6) behavioral cues about AIDS related to condom use.…

Assesses relationship between Mexican-American women's birth-control attitudes, knowledge, and usage, and values of motherhood, male dominance, and sexual expression. Multiple regression analysis links contraception attitudes with traditional values, regardless of acculturation. Establishes positive link between birth-control use and traditional…

Analysis of questionnaire responses of 107 Black adolescent male college students indicated that, while 85 percent used some contraceptive method, most subjects had less knowledge regarding the effectiveness of certain contraceptive methods, suggesting a need for more in-depth sex education programs. (CB)

Follows earlier research that hypothesized and substantiated that, in a society with strong son preference, its effect on fertility would be conditional on the level of contraceptive use. Finds that, if a preference for smaller family size increases, then sex preference will have minimal effect on fertility. (LZ)

Sexual behavior was surveyed in 1991 for fourth time in 17 years at northeastern college with 98 male and 148 female participants. Results indicated 91% nonvirginity rate for men; 76% for women. Both genders initiated sex at same age. Men exhibited more liberal sexual philosophy. Neither gender had sexual double standard. Drug use was related to…

This paper examines the influence of media messages about family planning, and attitudes toward media promotion of family planning, on contraceptive behavior of married women in Ghana. (Author)

African-American adolescents (n=195) completed measures on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, condoms, health locus of control, vulnerability to human immunodeficiency virus, peer sexual norms, sexual behavior, and contraceptive preferences. Girls were more knowledgeable about AIDS, reported fewer sexual partners, held more…

Studied sexual knowledge among Norwegian adolescents (n=1,855) aged 17-19 years. Found knowledge gaps among adolescents on sexual physiology and anatomy, sexually transmitted diseases, and fecundation/contraception. Level of sexual knowledge was higher among girls than boys and increased with increasing age. Sexual knowledge did not predict…

Faced with an alarming number of adolescents at risk for developing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, school systems are tackling the controversial issue of making condoms available in schools. Three Canadian districts have installed condom machines. (MLF)

Sexual behavior, knowledge of sexually transmitted disease and condoms, and condom use was studied among 116 African American and white incarcerated adolescents in Seattle (Washington). Results indicate that these adolescents are at high risk and suggest that programs designed solely to increase knowledge are unlikely to effect behavior change.…

The effectiveness of small group condom motivation education in reducing new and reinfection rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among urban female teenagers was evaluated. Teens (N=205) were followed for six months. Findings are presented and health education opportunities are discussed. (Author/EMK)

To examine sexuality education in Flanders, teachers and principals were surveyed at 400 secondary schools. Respondents had positive attitudes toward school-based sexuality education, but time devoted to it was too restricted. The teaching strategies were not effective enough to change attitudes and behaviors regarding contraception and AIDS…

Surveyed rural parents regarding their perceptions of the characteristics, content, and comfort level of discussions about sexual issues with their teens. Results indicated that most respondents believed the family should play a prominent role in sexuality education, with help from the school starting before seventh grade. Most parents felt…

This paper reports findings from a content analysis of the main messages about sexuality in media outlets consumed by young people. It examines how sexuality is represented and the level of sexual health information provided in some UK magazines and TV programmes targeted at young people. Our findings show that such outlets included a vast range…