In the heat of the night, it is difficult to get it right—teenagers’ attitudes and values towards sexual risk-taking

Abstract

This study, using a hermeneutic approach, is based on data from four focus group interviews with 25 Swedish teenagers participating, ranging from 18Á19 years of age. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of teenagers' values and attitudes towards sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexual risk-taking. The teenagers seem to seek an excuse to fend off responsibility and deny their sexual risk-taking, an excuse provided by drunkenness. Under the influence of alcohol, teenagers are not too shy to have sex but remain embarrassed to talk about condom use. It seems as though the dialogue feels more intimate than the intercourse when it comes to protecting ones sexual health. To be able to act out in this sexual risk-taking the teenager often views the partner in a one-night-stand as an object, as opposed to a love relationship where they view their partner as subject, a person they care for. Engaging in sexual risk-taking often starts at a club where the teenagers go out to socialize and drink alcohol. They then play a game and a part of the game is to pretend that they do not play a game. In this game, certain rules are to be followed and the rules are set up by the girl, mainly to protect the romantic image of being carefully selected and thereby protected from being stigmatized as ''sluts'' or ''whores''.

Prevention of Chlamydia Infections With Theater in School Sex Education

“…The intervention increased knowledge and improved student attitudes and behaviors regarding condom use more than standard education. Several studies have shown that youths, despite feeling they have sufficient knowledge on STIs and unwanted pregnancies, do not use protection (Christianson et al, 2003;Darj & Bondestam, 2003;Hammarlund et al, 2008;Higgins & Wang, 2015;Häggstrom-Nordin et al, 2002;Larsson et al, 2006), but that changed attitudes to condom use alter behaviors (Häggstrom-Nordin et al, 2002;Larsson et al, 2006). This shows that SAFETY can be a beneficial supplement to standard sex education and is more effective with regard to knowledge of condom use.…”

“…Earlier research has shown that youths' difficulties in communicating with partners contribute to failure in using condoms. The dialogue on responsibility for sexual health was seen by youths as more intimate than the act of intercourse or putting on a condom (Hammarlund et al, 2008). Another study (Darj & Bondestam, 2003) has found that one reason condoms are not used is that it is unclear whose responsibility it is to mention condoms.…”

“…Since only condoms protect against both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy, the goal of the WHO chlamydia prevention program is to increase condom use (2016). Several studies indicate that youths feel they have sufficient knowledge on STIs and unwanted pregnancy, yet do not use protection (Christianson, Johansson, Emmelin, & Westman, 2003;Darj & Bondestam, 2003;Häggstrom-Nordin, Hanson, & Tyden, 2002;Hammarlund, Lundgren, & Nyström, 2008;Higgins & Wang, 2015;Larsson, Eurenius, Westerling, & Tyden, 2006). An intervention study by Larsson, Eurenius, Westerling, and Tyden (2006) reveals that youths have high levels of knowledge on condoms and while knowledge did not increase following an intervention (education by a midwife and medical student), attitudes were improved and condom use increased [ibid.].…”

Caring Science With a Focus on Existential Issues in a Caring Context—A Research Area Inspired by Existential Philosophy

“…During the interpretive work, the researchers came to understand how and why a positive integration in Swedish society also meant a safe and secure experience of Swedish healthcare. In a study of teenagers' sexual risk-taking and experiences of HPV (human papillomavirus) a virulent sexually transmitted disease, Hammarlund et al (2008) found a fairly easy-going attitude until a venereal disease occurred.…”

Priložnostni spolni odnosi z vidika psihologije: intrapersonalni in situacijski dejavniki

“…2012;Kuperberg in Padgett 2017). Mladostniki pod vplivom alkohola niso imeli zadržkov pred priložnostnim spolnim odnosom, hkrati pa jim je pogovor o uporabi kondoma pov-zročal nelagodje, zato so se mu raje izognili (Hammarlund, Lundgren in Nyström 2008). Arielle Kuperberg in Padgett (2017) sta ugotovila, da je tvegano spolno vedenje pogostejše v situacijah, ki jih določajo skripti zabavanja in prekomernega pitja.…”