Survey finds 10 partners before marriage 'normal'
The majority of young people think it is normal for a person to have at least 10 sexual
partners before marriage.
A survey has also found that three in 10 believe it is acceptable for a girl
to lose her virginity before the age of 15.
Research carried out by Brook, the youth sex advisory service, says there is a
"cultural change" in young people's attitudes towards sex.
Some 64% of men and 54% of women agreed that it was acceptable for a person to sleep with
more than 10 partners before getting married.
But the survey, which questioned people aged 17 to 25, also showed that they wanted more
information about sex and contraception.
Men admitted to getting most of their knowledge about contraception from TV and magazines,
while women learned the most from magazines and their mothers.
Half of all the young women surveyed said they wished that teachers had supplied them with
more information about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Brook chief executive Jan Barlow said: "Young people have an increasing number of
sexual partners and they are saying that's OK.
"But at the same time they don't have the information and access to services that
they need.
"Young people must seek out advice and information in order to make their choices and
to understand how to protect themselves both against pregnancy and sexually transmitted
diseases."
Story filed: 00:52 Monday 10th December 2001
Source: http://www.ananova.com/yournews/story/sm_469157.html