Sexual behavior, drugs, and relationship patterns on a college campus over thirteen years.

ABSTRACT

PIP: 3 samples of college students at a small New England liberal arts college received questionnaires regarding their sexual philosophies, behavior, relationship with most recent partner, self-perceived attractiveness, relationship with parents, use of drugs and alcohol, attitudes toward marriage and abortion, and other subjects. The college was sampled in 1974, 1979, and 1986. Sexual behavior increased dramatically from 1974 to 1979 and then decreased in 1986 to approximately where it was in 1974. The authors speculate that the spread of herpes contributed to this trend reversal. The 1980s also brought more common knowledge of chlamydia trachomatis, nonspecific urethritis, and AIDS. There is some evidence that the double standard for sexual behavior is not present for the most recent sample, though men are still more apt to desire sex without concern for a strongly bonded relationship. Still, in 1986, they showed some evidence of movement toward having sex within a more committed relationship as compared to men in 1974. It is conjectured that the data reflect an increase in individualism and a weakening of the influence of religion and parental relationship on sexual behavior.