Title: "Sluts" or "sleazy little animals"? Young people's difficulties with carrying and using condoms.

POPLINE Document Number: 120700

Author(s):

Loxley W

Source citation:

JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY AND APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 1996 Oct;6(4):293-8.

Abstract:

A survey of 105 young people (mean age, 18.3 years) from Perth, Western Australia, revealed significant obstacles to carrying and using condoms. Respondent were asked to describe their perceptions of what the opposite sex thinks of young women/young men who carry condoms. Although both men and women were concerned that carrying condoms would have a negative effect on their reputation, these fears generally were not matched by the responses of the opposite gender. 45% of men were positive about women carrying condoms, yet only 10% of women thought that men would be supportive; 40% believed that men would consider women who carry condoms "sluts," but only 18% of men had such negative views. Similarly, while only 24% of men believed women would support their carrying condoms, the actual rate was 36%. When asked to describe actual experiences with condom use, 71% reported negative experiences (e.g., condom broke while being put on or fell off during sex, loss of sexual arousal), 32% gave neutral responses, and only 5% were positive. Few respondents had used lubricated condoms. Recommended is the provision of inter-gender information to reduce the misperception that neither males nor females approve of the other sex carrying condoms and to promote the correct use of lubricated condoms.

Keywords:

Australia
Surveys
Youth
Condom
Safer Sex
Obstacles
Gender Issues
Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention
HIV Prevention
Developed Countries
Oceania
Sampling Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Barrier Methods
Contraceptive Methods
Contraception
Family Planning
Sex Behavior
Behavior
Organization and Administration
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Reproductive Tract Infections
Infections
Diseases
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases