This document summarizes a study on pornography consumption and sexual practices among Swedish adolescents. The study found that most adolescents had experienced pornography, with many consuming it weekly or daily. Male adolescents consumed pornography more frequently than females. High pornography consumers were more likely to engage in behaviors like sex with friends, anal sex, and group sex. The study suggests professionals provide updated sex education to help adolescents develop critical thinking on portrayals of sexuality and gender roles in media like pornography.

1. Pornography consumption and sexual practices among adolescents Tanja Tydén, Ph.D., professor Elisabet Häggström-Nordin, RNM, MMSc Ulf Hanson, M.D. Associate professor Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Center of Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Central Hospital, Västerås Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University

2. Background Pornography: easily available estimated to be one of the most sought-after topics on the Internet (Lewin, 1998; Griffiths, 2000) Swedish National Institute of Public Health : ”…need for studies about how adolescents are influenced by sexually toned messages and by pornography” (Forsberg, 2000) Professionals working with adolescents have noted ”new” questions and concerns (Forsberg, 2000)

3. Aim To investigate: sexual behaviour pornography consumption possible associations

4. Method and sample December 2002 - February 2003 5 senior high schools; medium-sized city Random sample of 47 classes with 924 students (participation rate 77%) Mean age 18 years Classroom questionnaire

5. Results: Sexual behaviour (1) Sexual intercourse: 74% Contraceptive use: At first intercourse: 71% At latest intercourse: 68% Sexual partners: Men ( M = 3) more than women ( M = 2; p = 0.002)

6. Results: Sexual behaviour (2) ” Sex with a friend”: 41.5% More men (49%) than women (32%; p < 0.001) STIs: More women (7.5%) than men (3%; p = 0.018) Abortion: 9%

7. Results: Sexual behaviour (3) Oral sex: >50% had experience 65% of women had given 10% reported condom use Anal sex: 16% had experience 62% did not use a condom

8. Results: Pornography Experience: More men (98%) than women (72%; p < 0.001) 83% had watched pornography at home Positive attitude: More men ( median = 461 ) than women (median = 225; p < 0.001) Taking the initiative to watch: More men (75%) than women (19%; p < 0.001)

9. Results: Sources of pornography

10. Results: influence of pornography

11. Do you get influenced by pornography? Young women: ” You feel like you’re not good enough, and get the wrong idea of how a girl is portrayed” ” Everyone gets affected; you think it should be like in the film” ” You get more ideas and dare to do more” Young men: ” You use it in your sex life” ” You want to try things you’ve seen on for example TV” ” You do get affected. You see more stuff you can do, which isn’t so bad”

12. Do others get influenced by pornography? Young women: ” You think that’s the way it should be” ” Think that for example anal sex is really common and stuff” ” Think that perhaps it should be hard and that the man should dominate” Young men: ” They think it’s cool” ” Oral sex, anal sex” ” Many probably think they can do all the things they see”

13. Results: pornography Sample categorised into high- and low consumers: High consumers = every day/ every week Low consumers = every month/ / a few times a year, once in a while / do not read or watch More young men (30%) than women (2%) were high consumers (p < 0.001)

14. * Do you get sexually aroused by looking at pornography?

15. * Do you fantasise about doing things seen in pornographic films?

16. * Have you tried to perform acts seen in pornographic films?

17. Bakground factors among high- and low consumners (men) Background factor High consumer Low consumer p-value % (n=110) % (n=256) Study programme (Theoretical/Practical) 51/ 49 47/ 53 0.479 Immigrant background 26 26 0.991 Parents occupation (both working) 84 82 0.854 Steady relation (months; median) 6 6 0.868 Age at first sexual intercourse (median) 15.0 16.0 0.019 Relationship to parents ( Index; mean ) 8.75 9.34 0.065

18. Bakground factors among high- and low consumners (men) Background factor High consumer Low consumer p-value % (n=110) % (n=256) Study programme (Theoretical/Practical) 51/ 49 47/ 53 0.479 Immigrant background 26 26 0.991 Parents occupation (both working) 84 82 0.854 Steady relation (months; median) 6 6 0.868 Age at first sexual Intercourse (median) 15.0 16.0 0.019 Relationship to parents ( Index; mean ) 8.75 9.34 0.065

19. Sexual practices in relation to high- and low consumption of pornography among men Anal intercourse Group sex Sex with a friend Crude OR 2.02 2.04 1.67 (95% CI 1.09-3.77) (95% CI 0.97-4.31) (95% CI 1.05-2.66) Adj OR 1.99 1.95 1.75 (CI 0.95-4.16) (CI 0.70-5.47) (CI 1.27-4.12) Significant confounder: Early age at first intercourse (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.18-1.88)

20. Conclusions Intercourse with a friend associated with: high consumption of pornography among males (sign.) anal intercourse (tendency) group sex (tendency) Significant confounder: early age of sexual debut Condom use at anal- and oral sex infrequent implications for spread of STIs

21. Possible implications (1) Professionals working at youth clinics should have updated knowledge about adolescent sexual behaviour: to give optimal counselling to prevent STIs Media analysis in schools encourage critical thinking Encourage adolescents to create their own materials, not only consume Magazines, film, theatre etc.

22. Implications (2) Discuss gender roles and equality in sex education How is sexuality portrayed in pornography? Power-perspective? Gender-perspective? Separate girls- and boys groups Dare to talk Also gender-mixed groups Challenge stereotypes Meet prejudice Open discussion