Sexuality across the Lifecycle
Age of first experience of sexual relations in Spain and corresponding attitudes: a cross-study.
Gil, Mª Dolores*,1, Ballester, Rafael2, 1 Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Valencia, Spain2 Dept. Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology. Universitat de Castelló, Castellón, Castellón, Spain
ABSTRACT- Introduction: It is traditionally believed that the first explorations of sexual relations with other persons occur in the adolescent years. Nevertheless, the data concerning the prevalence of significant psychosocial and public health problems such as unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases suggest that it is quite likely that first experiences of sexual relations frequently take place well before the start of adolescence. Objective: Our objective is to offer some data concerning the prevalence of sexual relations throughout the life cycle but in particular to activity between the ages of 9-23 in Spain. Method: A cross-study was used for a sample of 1751 Spaniards between the ages of 9 and 23 (42% were men while 58% were women). In a group setting located at schools and universities, they were all given the Questionnaire on Health Related Information, Attitudes and Behaviour (CIACS) by Ballester & Gil. Results: Among boys, first experiences of sexual relations occurred at ages 11-12 (in 14% of cases). At ages 13-14, this percentage increased to 35%. For girls the first sexual experiences commenced later, at ages 13-14, with 16% of girls having their first experience of sexual relations. These percentages were almost identical for the age 15-16 cohort. At ages 17-18, 38% of the girls and 49% of the boys had had sexual relations. At ages 19-20, these percentages were 63% and 72% respectively. And for the age 21-23 cohort, 79% of women and 86% of men had had sex with other persons. Statistically significant sexual differences appear in all ages; this is indicative of an earlier commencement of sexual relations in men and of different attitudes towards these first experiences of sexual relations. Conclusion: Sex education programmes should be sensitive to two aspects; on the one hand, the commencement of sexual relations before the age of 14 makes it necessary to introduce programmes at earlier ages in order to prevent major problems such as unwanted pregnancies and HIV infection. On the other hand, sex differences must be considered given that the prevalence of sexual relations at a given age can be very different for boys and girls.
Key words: First experience, Sexual relations, Age, Adolescence