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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
William F. Bacon, PhD, Kelly C. Cleland, MPA, MPH, and Leslie M. Kantor, MPH. Education and Training Department, Planned Parenthood of New York City, 26 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012, 212-274-7211, william.bacon@ppnyc.org
Social norms have been widely shown to relate to sexual risk-taking among teenagers, but relatively little is known about the social norms perceived by younger adolescents. We measured perceived norms related to prevalence, status, and stigma associated with sexual initiation and condom use among 879 6th-8th graders. Participants were surveyed using the audio-CASI system as part of an evaluation of a multi-component sexuality education and teen pregnancy prevention program implemented by Planned Parenthood of New York City. In general, reported norms favored early intercourse, not necessarily protected. Striking gender stereotypes emerged even among the youngest participants. For example, as early as the 6th grade both boys and girls perceived that sexually active boys increased their social status whereas sexually active girls would be more likely to be stigmatized by peers. Similarly, most participants perceived that a sexually active girl would be stigmatized for condom non-use, whereas a minority believed a boy would be so stigmatized. We will describe the connection between these gender-stereotyped norms and sexual risk-taking behavior, along with the influence of parental communication on these perceived norms. Finally, implications for programs to address gender stereotypes at the youngest ages will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.