NCJ Number
114807
Date Published
1988
Length
42 pages
Annotation
There is growing awareness that young males have been overlooked in adolescent pregnancy prevention efforts and teen parent programs.
Abstract
Compared to adolescent girls, adolescent boys are more likely to be sexually active, initiate sexual activity earlier, rank sex as a high priority, endorse premarital sex, require no commitment from their partners, and be proud of their loss of virginity. In addition, boys are less likely to report using contraceptives during their most recent intercourse, as are younger couples. Adolescent couples who use contraceptive methods are more likely to use male methods such as condoms or withdrawal. While girls are more likely to have knowledge and motivation for contraception, they are unlikely to have contraceptives available because of society's double standard. In addition, there are barriers to condom use for boys, including embarrassment, expense, and beliefs that parental permission is needed to buy condoms or that condoms interfere with sexual pleasure. Finally, for physiological and social reasons, the connection between sex and pregnancy is less salient for males; societal response to unintended pregnancy is less stigmatizing for them; and sex-role stereotypes view financial responsibility as the male's obligation in parenthood, making it difficult for unemployed boys to see themselves as responsible parents. Changing this situation will require an increased emphasis on sex education and contraception and modification of negative individual and societal attitudes. 4 tables and 20 references.