[New patterns of sexual behaviour among adolescents]

Abstract

Background: We wanted to investigate erotic and sexual behaviour in adolescents, with emphasis on the trend over the last decade.

Materials and methods: Two large, survey-based representative studies of Norwegian adolescents (each with approx. 11 000 respondents) from 1992 and 2002 (response rates 97% and 92%).

Findings: Median age at first intercourse has decreased by 12 months in females over this ten-year time span (to 16.7 years), while the decrease among males was more modest. Furthermore, oral sex now has the same prevalence as coitus from the mid-teen years on and seems to be introduced at the same point in time. Finally, females are as inclined as males to break the norm of being in love as the basis for a sexual relationship.

Interpretation: More adolescents are now sexually active and more risky sexual behaviour might be a consequence. However, the findings also suggest increased gender equality and a new cohort of more sexually active and self-confident females.