Sex and Gender

According to Risman and Schwartz article, what are the main trends in sexual activity among teens? How do the authors explain these trends? According to England and Thomas, what are the main trends in romantic and sexual behavior among college students? What gender differences are documented in both of these articles? Compare these authors' observations to your own high school and college experiences.

Risman and Schwartz present a lot of statistical analysis in their article. According to their article, the United States in general believes in decreasing sexual activity among teens. It seems that today there is a new conservatism that applies “only to boys” and a “great deal of evidence shows that teens continue to be sexually active.” It seems there is a decrease from 54.1 percent to 48.4 percent of teens ages 15 to 17 involved in sexual intercourse. The trend however seems to show that overall there is a significantly less number of teen pregnancy and abortions. Teens seem to be engaging in safer sex, and thus the birth rate among teens has fallen steadily. There also seems to be an increase in oral sex among teens, making it less “real” than intercourse, and more common than in the past. By age twenty 9/10 Americans have had intercourse. The idea of casual sex is also decreasing.
The declines have many explanations. Risman writes, “The success of abstinence education, the positive effect of comprehensive sex education, the cultural backlash against the sexual revolution, or the fear of disease (or some combination of these factors) account for the decline. Sex education helps to move back the age of first intercourse, as well as abstinence pledges. They also believe that youths have seen what their parents generation experienced with divorce, disease and status loss for women. Overall it looks like “responsible sex rather than postponed sex” is the trend.
Separating the data by gender it appears as though the number of high school males rather than girls that choose to remain virgins has dramatically increased. The gaps between men and women who are virgins is closing, making the numbers nearly the same. Women now have a greater influence in relationships, making safe sex decisions. The trend seems to point that most males first encounter with sex is in a relationship. It is women who insist of condoms and birth control methods. American culture is highly sexualized.
According to England and Thomas, the main trends in romantic and sexual behavior among college student is less dating and more “hooking up.” The “date” as a activity is nearly dissolved. Today college students are involved in hooking up, a casual sexual encounter of some kind. There is usual some sort of alcoholic influence behind it as well. This sometimes leads to dating or a relationship, but not always. It appears that those actually going out on dates, are people that are already in relationships. Dates used to be used as a way to get to know one another better, but with a greater understanding between the genders this is not as needed. In terms of gender, it seems to be the trend that it is the woman that initiates “the talk” between her and the man. She must bring up the question of relationship, because men tend to avoid it. In addition, women more commonly look to hooking up as a way of finding a prospective boyfriend while boys look to it for more of a pleasure source.
Both articles discussed the idea of a sexual double standard. Despite the increase in female empowerment on the work force, women are still judged based on their sexual activity. If a man has had many intimate encounters it is seen as the norm, however if a women is seen as promiscuous she is considered a slut. Despite the improving status between women and men, there is still a great less expected of men in terms of self control. It also seems that women have internalized different values than men, hoping that a hook up could lead to something more.
I think both of these articles have valid points. I find them fascinating to analyze, because as a female on a college campus I am around this all day long. I agree with the fact that the date is nearly ancient, and that hooking up is the norm. I think this is a sad fact and would love it to be changed around somewhat. I also agree that in terms of gender there is a great gap. Women who have been with many men, and whose private lives are made known are definitely regarded as “sluts.” I went to an all girls high school and women were taught caution and about relationships. I am not really as attuned to the male version. Men may be interested in them for the hook up, but not for a relationship. I also think that as a woman in today’s society it is very difficult. Women are forced to make choices and decisions that men would never have to deal with today.