Sexuality Educational Course and Effects on College Students

Undergrads who attend a college university in the southeastern portion of the United States participated in a study that looks at material related to a sexuality course completed by college students.  The course touched on different subjects with most students feeling they were able to take away useful information.  Researchers wanted to focus more on the positive benefits of the course.  Because college sexuality courses offer vast amounts of information, many feel they may be able to help reduce common concerns related to sexual activity including pregnancy and sexual abuse.

Many understand how sex education can help inform students so they can make better choices when and if they decide to engage in sex.  There are different studies similar in nature but this one specifically focuses on attitudes in relation to tolerance of different unfamiliar sexual behaviors.  Basically, the study made a few points on past studies conducted on this subject matter, with some suggesting there have been changes among sexual attitudes over the years.  In short, different aspects are in need of an update assessment to show the shift and where it occurred.

For this study, 85 college students enrolled in separate sections of a Human Sexual Behavior class.  Most that enrolled were female with the average age being 22 years old.  Seniors, juniors, sophomores and post-bachelors took part in the course.  Their majoring backgrounds include Psychology, Communications, Criminal Justice and Spanish to name a few.  Most students were Caucasian and identified themselves as being bisexual, homosexual and heterosexual.  The course itself is taught each year and it examines different aspects of human sexuality such as gender roles, birth control, sexuality development, sex & media, pornography, erotica and other subjects of interest.   Each session lasts for 50 minutes 3 times a week for a semester.

In class the students were given measures to complete that included 23 items related to sexual behavior.  Acceptability of casual sex, purpose of enjoying sex and how it is close form of communication between 2 people were a few concepts examined.  Students were asked if they agreed or disagreed with certain statements.  The questionnaire used was the BSAS (brief sexual attitudes scale).  Personal attitudes about sec were asked through the TSAQ (true blood sexual attitudes questionnaire.  The TSAQ asked about bisexual and homosexual sexual behaviors, sex variations such as cross-dressing and commercial sex such as erotica.

Each questionnaire measured different sexual behaviors with students completing it at the beginning and again at the end of the course.  Since the questions were answered mostly by females, there wasn’t enough data to compare genders.  After comparing results from both questionnaires it appears students have a greater tolerance for sexual variations at the end of the course.  Some of the results were consistent with previous findings from earlier studies.  The students who received a grade for completing the course did so on completing required work and not for completing the 2 questionnaires.  Students also claimed they felt they received more knowledge and better understanding of different sexual concepts.

Sex Behaviors of College Students

Researchers conducted a study that reviews recreational sexual activities engaged by college students.  The study included reviewing sexual behaviors done for leisure verse pleasure.  Data collected may help provide intervention methods to help young adults, such as college students, reduce risky sexual activities.  Professionals such as sex educators, healthcare providers and even the general public may provide valuable information and awareness.

A public health concern includes people engaging in sexual activity before marriage.  Young people getting pregnant and dealing with sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) are issues with alarming statistics. It has been noted that young individuals are likely to begin experimenting with their sexuality during college.  More students are likely to have a desire or interest to engage in sex.

Undergraduate university students were asked several questions about their sexual behaviors.  The school is located in the United States in the southeastern region with over 17,000 enrollees.  The questions were part of a self-report questionnaire. Students were able to remain anonymous while submitting their information.  Males and females participated in the study with a variety of ethnic backgrounds included. Students under the age of 25, considered either homosexual or single were asked to participate.  A higher percentage of females submitted data.

The questionnaire was developed to learn attitudes and behaviors related to recreational sex.  Some of the information on the survey was similar content asked in previous surveys conducted. 18 elements in the survey attitudes toward sex as recreation and 11 elements were used to help measure sex as satisfaction.  Depending on statements asked on the survey students would agree or disagree.

Statements asked based on considering sex as recreation included learning whether a student makes time for sex-related activity and if they felt their peers knew more about sex in general compared to personal knowledge.  They were also asked if they liked to enjoy new sensations or experiences.  When asked about sex satisfaction subject matter such as how satisfying is their orgasms to how their partner makes them feel.  There was a separate scale for leisure satisfaction with 24 items used to measure. This included asking about leisure activities in general, if they help reduce stress and skills used in completing these activities (not sexually related). Other sexual behaviors such as protection measures, masturbation, intercourse, erotic material use and strip clubs were asked about.

Students who were enrolled in health education courses participated in cross-sectional research.  Close to 500 students provided information for the study.  Recreational sex may have a positive influence on sexual satisfaction, data showed.  Studies also showed males and females who participated in recreational sex experienced enhanced satisfaction.  The study was completed for multiple reasons: little scientific literature explores this subject, understanding the impact of sexual behaviors in regards to satisfaction and leisure and measuring impacts experienced among young people. In some cases, females preferred certain activities more than others with similar findings in males.

In short, sex continues to have a big influence on college campuses mostly for enjoyment. Further studies will likely continue on the subject to get more understanding of different concepts to help develop healthy alternatives to reduce sexually-related risks.

Attitudes Relative to Partnered and Other Sexual Behavior