Psychosexual characteristics of male university students in Brazil.

Male freshmen (N = 268) at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil responded to a questionnaire concerning aspects of their sexuality from the onset of adolescence. Topics such as physical changes, first ejaculation, masturbation, homosexual manifestations, and sexual practices were investigated, as well as present attitudes toward virginity, intercourse, birth control, abortion, and prevention of AIDS. The quality of the relationship established with parents and the possibilities for dialogue about sex in the family circle were also surveyed. The majority of the subjects revealed satisfactory development in most areas of their sexuality, as well as a good relationship with their parents. Nevertheless, great difficulty was found in dialogue about sex within the family circle. Of these young men, 32% were still virgins at the end of their freshman year, but a considerable number of those already sexually active reported behavior which was inappropriate for the prevention of pregnancy and AIDS. The results are analyzed using psychoanalytic theories of psychosexual development.

PIP: A random sample of 268 male freshmen of mean age 19.6 years at the State University of Campinas in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, responded to a questionnaire in 1990 on aspects of their sexuality from the beginning of their adolescence. Topics such as physical changes, first ejaculation, masturbation, homosexual manifestations, and sexual practices were investigated, as well as present attitudes toward virginity, intercourse, birth control, abortion, and AIDS prevention. The quality of their relationships with parents was also surveyed. The sample comprised 31% of the entering students for that year. 32% were living with their parents. Most respondents reported satisfactory development in most areas of their sexuality, as well as a good relationship with their parents. However, they found it very difficult to discuss sex within their family circles. 32% were still virgins at the end of their freshman year. 28% and 20% had homosexual manifestations during childhood/early adolescence and currently, respectively, including fantasies, attraction to men/boys, physical contact with men/boys, and sexual intercourse with men/boys. 38% of the sexually active men reported taking no measures to prevent pregnancy and HIV transmission.

Psychosexual characteristics of female university students in Brazil.

Freshmen women (N = 240) at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil responded to a questionnaire concerning several aspects of their sexuality from the beginning of adolescence. Topics such as body changes during puberty, menarche, menstruation, masturbation, sexual identity, virginity, sexual relations, maternity, contraceptives, abortion, and attitudes toward AIDS were investigated, as well as the level and sources of information about sex and the quality of the subjects' relationships with their parents. The majority of the subjects revealed satisfactory development in most of the aspects surveyed, as well as in their relationships with their parents except where sexual issues were concerned. Nevertheless, most of the students reported menstrual disturbances, and a significant number of the sexually active reported inappropriate behavior in relation to contraception and AIDS prevention. The results of the research are analyzed using psychodynamic theories of sexual development.

PIP: A survey of 240 randomly selected female students (average age, 19.9 years) at the State University of Campinas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, provided comprehensive information about the physical, psychological, and psychosexual dimensions of adolescence. Over half reported negative feelings or indifference to body changes associated with puberty and 54% stated they did not receive information on sexual development from their parents. The average age at menarche was 12.3 years. 79% reported persistent menstruation-related discomfort (e.g., cramps, moodiness). Virginity until marriage was considered essential by 14%; to 42%, it made no difference in the context of a loving relationship. 44% of female students had experienced intercourse; the average age at initiation of sexual relations was 17.6 years. 78% stated the idea of having a child was fundamental or agreeable. 84% of sexually active students were using contraception (including unreliable methods such as rhythm). Although 65% viewed abortion as a theoretically acceptable option, only 8% indicated they would make this choice and just 6% had had an abortion. 6% of students considered themselves at risk of AIDS. Most students characterized their relationship with their parents as good, yet they preferred to talk to friends or siblings about sexual matters. Although these students appear to have satisfactorily negotiated most of the developmental tasks of adolescence, there was some evidence of failure to resolve independence-dependence conflicts.