Sexual Communication and Attitudes Toward Premarital Sexuality: Role of the University Class Level and Gender

Sexual attitudes and behaviors are mainly affected by parents at early ages, and then peer influence becomes more important. During college years, less parental control and cultural environment of universities have significant effect on sexual attitudes and behaviors. It was aimed to determine the difference in individuals’ sexual communication level with their parents and best friends, perceived sexual approval from parents and best friends, attitudes toward premarital sexuality and honor, according to university class level and gender. Sexual Communication and Approval Scale, Attitude Toward Premarital Sexuality Scale, Sexual Attitude Scale, Attitudes Toward Honor Scale and Demographic Information Form were collected from 377 university students (263 female; 114 male) studying in Ankara, whose age ranged between 18-27. Results revealed that sexual permissiveness in the last years of university have increased especially among women. In addition, sexual permissiveness, attitudes toward honor, and peers’ approval of sexuality emerged as significant predictors of premarital sexual attitudes among men and women, while mother's approval of sexual activity is also a significant predictor among men. This study shows that the cultural values and attitudes attributed to sexuality for men and women are still continuing. The results were discussed in terms of gender roles and socio-cultural approache