S EXUALITY I NVOLVES … Beliefs Values Behaviors Sexual Identity or Orientation: Heterosexual/Homosexual Bisexual Transgender

S EXUAL R ELATIONSHIP S TRENGTHS STRENGTHHappy Couples Unhappy Couples Sexual relationship is satisfying and fulfilling 85%29% Satisfied with amount of affection receive 72%28% Feel partner does not use sex in an unfair way 90%39% No concerns about partner losing interest 88%37% Not worried about affair 92%43% Source: Adapted from Olson & Olson 2000

S EXUALITY AND C ULTURE Universally regulated Influenced by cultural values and standards: Attractiveness Behaviors Attitudes

M ARRIAGE R EVOLUTIONS Companionate Revolution: Separating Home from Workplace Fertility Revolution: Separating Sex from Procreation Contraceptive Revolution: Separating Coitus from Contraception Sexual Revolution: Separating Sex from Marriage Reproductive Revolution: Separating Procreation from Marriage Procreation Revolution: Separating Pregnancy from Parenthood

S EXUALITY E DUCATION Sexuality plays critical role in healthy couple relationships Evidence that sexual attitudes and behaviors differ in other countries US society talks more openly about sex

T HE H OOK -U P C ULTURE Only 4% of women between in non-marital relationships NOT sexually involved with their partner The idea of “traveling” before marriage The higher the population of women, the higher the ratio of female sexual activity Most emerging adults will not experience an unintended pregnancy or an STI, but have already and will continue to experience regrettable sex Detaching sex from love

A MERICAN V IEWS … National poll by Kaiser Family Foundation/ABC General Findings: 81% of parents favor broad sexuality programs Programs should teach abstinence, but also prepare adolescents to use birth control and practice safe sex

S EX E DUCATION Historically problematic in U.S. High teen pregnancy rates Irregular and ineffective use of contraception by teenagers Limited parent-teen communication

S EX E DUCATION P ROGRAMS Public support Classes found in: Public and private schools Churches and synagogues General agreement—sexuality education begins in home Resistance or reluctance by parents often found however

C URRENT RESEARCH Within 2 years of having sex for the first time, half of teenage girls may be infected with an STD A study of 386 urban girls between 14 and 17 years of age, one quarter had Chlamydia by 15 Repeated infections were common Group counseling reduced STD transmission Group counseling increased partner testing for STDs Girls (and boys) with active father figure postpone first sexual encounter and are less likely to become a teenage parent