Sexual Myths Among University Students by Gender

Abstract Objective: This study was conducted to determine students’ sexual myths and to compare these myths according to the gender of students. Materials and Method: 72 nursing students were included in this descriptive study. A questionnaire form prepared by researchers was used to collect the data of the study. The questionnaire forms undercover were distributed to the students and they were asked to fill out the forms anywhere without writing their names when they were alone in order that mutual interactions would be prevented and they were also requested to return the forms under the same cover within 1 week. The statistical analysis of the data was performed in a computer environment using percentage calculations and chi-square test. Findings: 91.7 % of students thought that there were social taboos about sexuality. The male students were determined to have the greatest number of myths. Examining the distribution of sexual myths; 80 % of female students and 75 % of male students believed the myth "As long as the couples love each other, they know how to find pleasure in making love."; 96.9 of male students believed the myth “Lovemaking is nice only if the two sides have an orgasm together”; 60 % of female students and 37.5% of male students believed the myth "Men desire the sexual intercourse all the time and they are always ready for this." These myths were seen among the female and the male students at a high rate, as well. Comparing the sexual myths of the students according to their gender; while there was no statistically significant difference between the genders in terms of 23 myths, the difference between the genders in terms of 8 myths was statistically significant. Conclusion: It can be said that the students had high rates of sexual myths. It can be stated that the male students at the university were aware of communal taboos and they could not go beyond the communal norms through their considerations about sexuality, which they themselves experienced as well