chapter 9: Heterosexual Deviance

Sexual Behavior and Attitudes in American Society

• Increased Acceptance of Sexual Behavior

  • Americans today are more likely to find sexual behavior acceptable than in previous decades.
  • Opinion polls (McCarthy, 2018) indicate that 69% find it morally acceptable for unmarried males and females to engage in sexual relations.
  • Historical data: 58% approval in 2003 (Gallup) and around 30% in the early 1970s (Kraft, 2015).
  • Shift in acceptance attributed to generational changes rather than individual attitude changes.
  • Survey (Gallup, 2013) – 76% of individuals aged 18-34 approve of sexual relations outside marriage compared to 56% of those aged 55 and older.

• Variation in Acceptance

  • Acceptance of adult premarital sex is higher than acceptance of teenage sex.
  • Only 31% of adults aged 55+ find teenage sex acceptable; 43% of adults aged 30-49 agree, while 59% of 18-29-year-olds approve (McCarthy, 2018).

• Trends in Teenage Sexual Behavior

  • Despite fears of increasing sexual activity, current teenagers are less sexually active compared to previous generations.
  • Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) report (CDC, 2020) from 2019: 38.4% of high school students reported having sexual intercourse; 27.4% reported being sexually active.
  • From 1991 to 2019, the percentage of students reporting intercourse declined from 54.1% to 38.4%.
  • Students reporting four or more sexual partners dropped from 18.7% in 1991 to 8.7% in 2019 (CDC, 2020).

• Parental Concerns

  • Many adults question teenagers' maturity and responsibility regarding sex.
  • Concerns persist about potential consequences of teenage sexual activity, including unplanned pregnancies.

Sex Education and Its Efficacy

• Abstinence-Only Education

  • Effectiveness is debated; while it delays first sexual experience (average increase of 18 months for those pledging abstinence), contraceptive use may decrease post-abstinence (Kohler, Manhart, & Lafferty, 2008).
  • A trend noted is maintaining 'technical virginity' through oral sex, which some adolescents may perceive as not "real" sex (Bearman et al., 2004).
  • Recent surveys show 41% of adolescents aged 15-19 have engaged in oral sex (Chang, Strome, & Moore-Petinak, 2020).

• Debate Over Comprehensive vs. Abstinence-Only Education

  • Conservatives advocate only for abstinence teaching, while liberals argue for comprehensive education including contraception.
  • Conservatives believe that contraception education encourages sexual activity, while liberals argue that the lack of knowledge leaves teens vulnerable to STDs and pregnancy (World Population Review, 2023).
  • Research indicates comprehensive sex education is most effective in reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (Rabin, 2010).

Early Sexual Behavior and Attitudes

• Dating and Double Standards
  • Studies indicate significant gender differences, where boys are often rewarded socially for multiple partners, while girls face stigmatization.
  • Boys aged 12-14 with multiple partners often gain status, while girls experience lower social standing.
  • Observations show boys with high self-esteem tend to engage in sexual behavior, whereas girls with high self-esteem tend to abstain (Spencer et al., 2002).

The Complex Dynamics of Sexual Relationships

• Maintaining Supposed Virginity
  • Teenage girls face pressure; if they do not engage in sexual activity, they may be labeled as 'teases' or 'flirts.'
  • A coping strategy is becoming sexually active in closer relationships rather than with strangers (Dunn, 2004).

Ethical Implications of Sexual Education

• Consequences of Changing Attitudes
  • Acceptance of premarital sex reflects the sexual revolution since the 1960s.
  • Surveys indicate that while teenagers are engaging less in sexual activities, society expresses concern for the next generation’s sexual behaviors.

Extramarital Sex Trends

• The Concept of Adultery (Extramarital Sex)

  • Defined as sexual relations of a married individual with someone not their spouse without consent.
  • Open relationships exist, differing from traditional views.

• Americans’ Attitudes Towards Extramarital Sex

  • Approximately 90% of men and 95% of women consider adultery morally wrong (Dugan, 2015).
  • 19% of married men and 14% of married women have reported having an affair (General Social Survey, 2010).
  • The reported figures are believed conservative, as many may not disclose infidelity due to social stigma (Rhode, 2016).

The Societal Dynamics of Infidelity

• Disparity Between Perception and Reality

  • The belief persists that many more people engage in infidelity than reported.
  • Social media, socio-economic status, and survey discrepancies contribute to varying statistics regarding infidelity.

• Cultural Influences on Infidelity

  • Infidelity is viewed differently across cultures; expectations and pressures vary widely.

Conclusion

• Research Gaps
  • There remains a gap in understanding broader issues related to sexuality, particularly among varied demographics.