Mexican-American Adolescent Sexuality and Sexual Knowledge: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

This study examined the sexual knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 84 Mexican-American adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 years. Findings indicated that the level of sexual knowledge was low for all subjects regardless of gender, sexual experience, or age. The Pill, condoms, IUD, and spermacides were the most commonly known methods ofpregnancy prevention mentioned by the adolescents. Of the 18 subjects who were sexually active, few practiced any form of birth control. Slightly more than 75% of the adolescents also indicated that birth control makes sex seem preplanned. Finally, both male and female respondents appeared traditional in their attitudes toward sex, with virginity and the responsibility for birth control being more heavily weighted for females than males.

Predicting Condom Use Among Sexually Experienced Latino Adolescents

“…Findings from studies conducted with Latino adolescents regarding sexual decisions support the influence of familialism in sexual decision making. For example, although not directly measured, Latino adolescents' resistance to peer influences on risk-associated behavior, including initiation of sexual intercourse, has been attributed to familialism (Christopher, Johnson, & Roosa, 1993;Padilla & Baird, 1991). Similarly, in a qualitative study conducted with Latina mothers and daughters, the importance of family and extended family networks in sexual decision making was evident in the patterns "respect for self and family" and "protection of self, child, and family" (Villarruel, 1998).…”

Sociocultural Contexts of Time to First Sex Among Hispanic Adolescents

“…For Hispanic teens, machismo and marianismo are aspects of this socialization, with girls subject to more proscriptive values regarding sexual conduct. Indeed, Hispanic teens exhibit traditional gender role attitudes regarding virginity, children, and the relationship between love and marriage (Marin et al, 1993; Padilla & Baird, 1991; Padilla & O'Grady, 1987). The sexual double standard is manifest behaviorally in (on average) older ages of first sex for girls (Ford & Norris, 1993; Marchi & Guendelman, 1995; Upchurch, Levy‐Storms, Sucoff, & Aneshensel, 1998; Upchurch et al, 1999).…”

Cultural Influences on the Sexual Attitudes, Beliefs, and Norms of Young Latina Adolescents

“…al., 1987). The cultural value of machismo, which includes power to decide sexual and contraceptive behavior, has been associated with unprotected sexual behavior (Hodges et al;Padilla & Baird, 1991) and multiple sexual partners (Beck & Bergman, 1993). Familialism, or importance of the family, has been considered as a mediator of stressors confronted by Latino adolescents and has been associated with a decreased influence by peers on risk taking behavior, including initiation of sexual intercourse (Padilla & Baird).…”