Pressure from a partner or being drunk are
the top reasons teens engage in unwanted
sex.
Image: iStockphoto
Some teenagers are feeling pressured into having sex a new report has found.
A La Trobe University study conducted by the Australian Research Centre for Sex Health and Society (ARCSHS) surveyed approximately 3,000 year 10 and 12 students from State, Catholic, and Independent schools.
The study reveals that 32 per cent of respondents had experienced unwanted sex.
‘The most common reason was pressure from a partner, and the next was being drunk,’ said Professor Anthony Smith, principal researcher and Deputy Director of ARCSHS.
‘These findings reinforce the need for sex education to address the issues of alcohol use and sexual behaviour together.
Professor Smith says over the past six years, there has been a definite change in the sexual behaviour of year 12 female survey respondents.
‘When we compare the current data to the data collected in 2002, it is this cohort whose sexual behaviour has diversified most. The statistics also show that Year 12 females are having more sexual partners and are drinking 30 per cent more,’ Professor Smith says.
Professor Smith says this report is a timely reminder that we live in a highly sexualised society.
‘Youth sexual culture is diversifying, and youth culture is becoming far more complex and we need to make sure that our school programs and health services are keeping up with the changes.’
Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.
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