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from What do clinical studies say?
Review Of Study: 'Sexual Behavior And Selected Health Measures'
By James E. Phelan, LCSW, BCD, Psy.D
September 19, 2005 -
The National Center for Health Statistics released, on September 15, 2005, the
results of the study, "Sexual behavior and selected health measures." The data
comes from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. The survey contractor was
the University Of Michigan's Institute For Social Research and the sample size
included 12,517 men and women between the ages of 15-44. The survey was last
used back in 1992, so some comparisons and additions were added, particularly
sexual activity among teens. The New York Times highlighted the findings in
their September 16, 2005, "National Report" section, "Nationwide survey includes
data on teenager sex habits: Surprising numbers for same-sex activity. (Pg.
A12). The Times highlighted that:
"Attitudes on sex are changing, especially among women."
The study found:
- About 4 percent of men and women describe themselves as homosexual or bisexual.
- Surprising to the researchers was that 14% of the women ages 18-29 reported having sexual experience with members of the same sex within the past year of the study. They were surprised since the older group, ages 30-44, reported about 10%. The lead researcher, Dr, William Mosher, said that it was significant because usually questions about lifetime experiences are generally higher for the older subjects then younger ones.
- Among the women, 86% said they were attracted "only to men" and 10% said they were attracted "mostly to men." When they did this survey back in 1992, only 3% said they were "mostly" attracted to men.
- Over their lifetime, 6% of the men, and 10% of the women reported having sexual experience with a member of the same sex.
- Nearly 4% of the male study reported having anal sex with another man and 6% admitted to having oral sex with another man at some time in their lives.
The study merely shows what we have been discussing for years - that is, sexual
behavior is fluid and changeable. This is clearly seen by the study's results on
female sexuality. While 14% of the women ages 18-29 reported having sexual
experience with members of the same sex within the past year of the study, older
women in their lifetime reported the behavior less. The researchers commented
that it is more common for women to have same-sex behavior in college (hence,
the younger samples). But then after graduation from college, they report the
behaviors are less frequent. Additionally, those that had sexual activity with
members of the same sex, do not necessary identity as "homosexual."
Updated: 3 September 2008
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