Formative Sexual Communications, Sexual Agency and Coercion, and Youth Sexual Health

This article argues that formative sexual communications, and sexual attitudes and behaviors, are important foci in the exploration of the sexual health of young people. The study examines links among sexual messages received from parents and friends, the sexual attitudes of young men and women, and the sexual experiences of those youth. Analyses of data collected from 332 undergraduates suggest that sexual socialization messages are linked with such outcomes as sexual agency and sexual coercion. Additionally, young women and men appear to receive different types of messages, which affect their attitudes and behaviors differently. This study concludes that social work can use empirical research to support an agenda committed to engendering sexual health among youth.