The Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors of College-Aged Males: A Comparative Study of the Last 20 Years

This exploratory study analyzed data collected from 1,355 college men aged 18-22 who were enrolled in a human sexuality class at a large state university in the northeast from 1990 to 2009. Results of surveys completed over the 20 year period were statistically analyzed. The study intended to determine the sexual attitudes and behaviors of college-aged men. Men's responses to attitude and behavior questions were compared over time and to the frequency of parent-child communication to verify any significant trends. Although several significant trends were identified, results overall suggest that most sexual attitudes and behaviors have remained relatively static over the last 20 years, and that parental discussions about sexuality have little influence on men's attitudes and behaviors. Implications for future research are discussed.