Between the blurred lines of sex education: Formal versus informal sex information & the sexuality of emerging adults

The sexuality of emerging adults develops within a multidimensional context of information. While formal sex education aims to improve sexual health literacy, social norms and the media are pivotal forces in sexual socialization.  The purpose of this study is to differentiate the perceived influences of formal and informal information sources on college students’ sex decisions. We surveyed 338 students at a Southeastern university using an anonymous questionnaire on sex behaviors. The majority of respondents identified as female (78%) and white (69%). When asked about the perceived influence of sex information sources on decisions, respondents  identified formal sex education  as  the most influential source for decisions concerning sexually transmitted disease (81.9%) and pregnancy prevention (56.6%) whereas, informal information from social norms  was most influential on abstinence (67.3%), age at first sexual encounter (80.8%), communication (73.6%), responsible decision making (73.8%), delaying sex (74.2%), casual sex/multiple sex partners (55.8%) and dating (85.4%).  Although previous research identifies a strong relationship between mass media and the sex decisions of adolescents, the college students surveyed in this study reported mass media as having the least amount of influence. Results suggest that college students exhibit selectivity in the sources of information that are most significant to distinctive decisions concerning sex and relationships.  It is important for health practitioners to equip young adults with the ability to make informed decisions on a variety of sexual health topics within a diversity of social contexts. These areas may be leverage points for positive behavior change and sexual health outcomes.