In the Dark: Young Men’s Stories of Sexual Initiation in the Absence of Relevant Sexual Health Information

Abstract

A growing body of research is investigating the effectiveness of abstinence only sexual education. There remains a dearth of research on the relevant sexual health information available to young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Drawing on a mixed-methods study with 526 YMSM, this study explores how and where YMSM receive relevant information on sexual health/behavior. Findings indicate that information related to gay men’s sexuality is not readily available from family, friends or schools. At initiation of anal intercourse, respondents generally had limited information about HIV and STIs. In some cases, this resulted in the perception that activities such as unprotected sex were “low risk”. Many mentioned they first learned about anal sex during their sexual debut, describing painful and/or unpleasant experiences. Some relied on older/more experienced partners, the internet and pornography for information. Findings are discussed in relation to how providers can help YMSM build solid foundations of sexual education to protect them from STI and HIV infection.

Barriers to Access and Adoption of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in a Relatively Rural State

“…PrEP awareness, or lack thereof, among participants is representative of an underdeveloped sexuality education system to serve MSM and other sexual minorities in relatively rural states (Kubicek, Beyer, Weiss, Iverson, & Kipke, 2010;Poon & Saewyc, 2009). This supports previous research that has advocated for sexual health information that is inclusive of discussion of PrEP in combination with other behavioral strategies to be shared among the MSM population by providers, social service agencies, and their peers (Oldenburg et al, 2014;Taylor et al, 2014).…”

Sources of Sex Information Used by Young British Women Who Have Sex with Women (WSW) and Women Who Have Sex Exclusively with Men (WSEM): Evidence from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

“…In terms of the family, a number of studies have documented difficulties in communication about sex and relationships between parents and children (for example, Coffelt, 2017;Hyde, Carney, Drennan, Butler, Lohan, & Howlett, 2010). Where parents are heterosexual, heteronormativity is likely to be a key feature of conversations (Kubicek et al, 2010;Martin, 2009). Likewise, Kubicek et al (2010) qualitative interviews with young MSM revealed that whilst peers were an important source of information about sex, during adolescence, this mostly focused on heterosexual sex.…”

“…Where parents are heterosexual, heteronormativity is likely to be a key feature of conversations (Kubicek et al, 2010;Martin, 2009). Likewise, Kubicek et al (2010) qualitative interviews with young MSM revealed that whilst peers were an important source of information about sex, during adolescence, this mostly focused on heterosexual sex. This therefore could act as an additional barrier for young people wishing to know about same-sex sexual relationships, because their peers may be unwilling and/or unable to discuss this.…”

“…Longitudinal mixed methods research by Kubicek, Beyer, and Weiss (2010) among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Los Angeles suggest that MSM rely to a greater extent on information from informal sources (such as pornography, their peers, and sexual partners) than men who have sex exclusively with women (MSEW). The reason provided for why informal sources were used was because the focus on education is on heterosexual sex in both school-based sex education and in the information provided by parents.…”

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Sexually Explicit Media Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

“…For example, viewing SEM may aid in the learning of performing same-sex sex 20,21 ; promote self-recognition of same-sex attractions 20,22 ; and clarify sexual self-labels 23 . However, SEM depicting male same-sex acts often contain several potentially risky sexual behaviors known to be associated with STI risk, including UAI, ejaculation in the mouth (EM), and ejaculation in/on or rubbed into the anus (EA) 24 .…”