How men and women learn about sex: multi-generational perspectives on insufficient preparedness and prevailing gender norms in Scotland

Attitudes towards sexual health and relationships are learned from a young age, and there is an ongoing need for innovative and comprehensive approaches to sex education that keep pace with rapidly changing contexts of people’s lives. We used thematic analysis of data from two qualitative studies in Scotland to explore learning contexts from a multi-generational perspective, as well as the influence of different socio-cultural factors on provision, access to and experience of sex education. The importance, but inadequacy, of school as a source of learning, was a persistent theme over time. Participants’ strategies to address perceived gaps in knowledge included experience, conversations, vicarious and online learning. Gender and age differences emerged, with younger participants more likely to go online for information, and prevailing gender norms shaping attitudes and behaviours across both study groups. Participants who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual described feeling particularly unprepared for sex and relationships due to the narrow, heteronormative content received. Although schools continue to be a common source of information, it appears that they fail to equip young people for their post-school sexual life-course. We recommend the mandatory provision of comprehensive, positive, inclusive and skills-based learning to improve people’s chances of forming and building healthy, positive relationships across the lifespan

Exploring masculinities, sexual health and wellbeing across areas of high deprivation in Scotland: the depth of the challenge to improve understandings and practices

Within and across areas of high deprivation, we explored constructions of masculinity in relation to sexual health and wellbeing, in what we believe to be the first UK study to take this approach. Our sample of 116 heterosexual men and women age 18–40 years took part in individual semi-structured interviews (n = 35) and focus group discussions (n = 18), across areas in Scotland. Drawing on a socio-ecological framework, findings revealed experience in places matter, with gender practices rooted in a domestically violent milieu, where localised, socio-cultural influences offered limited opportunities for more egalitarian performances of masculinity. We discuss the depths of the challenge in transforming masculinities in relation to sexual health and wellbeing in such communities

The limits, challenges and opportunities of safeguarding children in the context of primary care

The sexual health of young people is a concern for policy makers and practitioners alike in Scotland. Some young people are particularly vulnerable to the adverse consequences of early sexual behaviour and as such are widely recognized to be one of the most important groups for reproductive health interventions (Cowen 2002). In 2005, there were seven births for every 1000 women under 16 years (ISO Scotland Publications 2007) while in 2003, 25 per cent of young Scottish women aged under 20 years reported having had a pregnancy terminated (Scottish Executive 2006a). Moreover, abortion rates in all teenage age groups are rising. especially in the under 16s (ISO Scotland Publications 2007). Approximately one in seven attendances to Genito-urinary Medicine Clinics (GUM) are by young people aged under 20 years and between 2002 and 2003 there was a 40 per cent increase in Chlamydia diagnoses in females under 15 years (Scottish Executive 2006a). Over the last two decades, the sexual health ofyoung people has seen virtually no improvements (ISO Scotland Publications 2007; Viner and Barker 2005), although the availability of information, education and services is improving throughout Scotland and there is no sign of further worsening ofthe situation (Scottish Executive 2006a)

Absence of holistic sexual health understandings among men and women in deprived areas of Scotland:qualitative study

BACKGROUND: There is a growing evidence base for the need for a holistic approach to sexual health improvement, but the challenges for realising this in the 'real world' may be harder in some communities than others. We examined sexual health understandings and behaviours among adult men and women in deprived areas of Scotland. METHODS: Thematic analysis, using the constant comparative method, of qualitative, semi-structured in-depth interviews with 19 men and 16 women aged 18-40 years from the most deprived areas of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and three Highland towns. RESULTS: Even though most had been shown images designed to facilitate discussion about sexual consent and verbal/physical abuse, when first asked, participants overwhelmingly equated 'sexual health' with the avoidance of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. Most of the women interviewed went on to locate their accounts of sexual health within a broader, social account of relationships that in an ideal world, in contrast with their everyday lives, were based on respect and freedom from violence. They expressed desires for more positive relationships, based on open communication and trust, choice and freedom from coercion. A few men did accept a broader definition of sexual health, but others actively resisted it and placed the onus to enact choices and freedom from coercion on women rather than men. CONCLUSIONS: In the first UK study to examine understandings of holistic sexual health among adults living in deprived areas, we found a disjuncture between men and women. These findings suggest that, as a society, we are failing to equip people to enhance their own, and others', sexual health and wellbeing in its broadest sense. New efforts to emphasise the breadth of sexual health are required, but addressing these complex issues, especially where there are negative underlying gender norms to challenge, will require multi-level interventions targeting individual, community and system levels