141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

281316
Wrap it up or wait? : Gender differences in attitudes regarding sex initiation and condom use

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

MIranda Iverson , Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Nancy Moore, MPH, CPH , Department: Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Ashley Lima, MPH , Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Jessica Legge Muilenburg, PhD , Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Social normative pressure and partner coercion play key roles in the sexual decisions of college students. Previous research on gender and power suggests an imbalance of authority in which females are socialized into submissive relationship roles. The purpose of this study is to assess gender differences in attitudes regarding sex initiation and condom use among college students. We surveyed 322 students at a Southeastern university using an anonymous questionnaire related to sexual behaviors. Almost all respondents identified non-LGBT and were predominantly female (75.6%) and white (73%). When asked about the perceived influence of a partner in the decision to have sex without a condom, 46.1% of females claim that their partner has “no influence” compared to only 19.7% of males. Conversely, 31% of males claim that their partner has “a lot” of influence in condom use compared to only 12.3% of females. The gender difference was also detected when respondents were asked about the perceived influence of a partner in the amount of time before engaging in sexual activities. While 33.3% of females claim their partner has “no influence” and 11.6% report that their partner has “a lot” of influence, only 11.9% of males report “no influence” and 38.8% claim “a lot of influence.” The results challenge former notions of gender, power, and patriarchal domination in relationships. The gender differences demonstrate females as empowered individuals of sexual authority in decisions. Sexual health curricula should address these power dynamics and aim at increasing the efficacy of males in sex negotiation.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Differentiate the difference in women's and men's attitudes towards partner influence on condom use and initiation of sexual activity Identify how power dynamics impact sexual relationships

Keywords: Sex, Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Receiving a Masters in Public Health. I am currently working with professors on sexual health projects. I served as the Reproductive Health Education Training Committee Chair at the Feminist Women's Health Center of Atlanta for a period of two years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.