ADOLESCENT SEXUAL STRATEGIES

Purpose: The aim of this study has been to survey adolescents' strateg ies to promote sexual encounters and to compare those used by males an d females. We examined the predictions that sexual strategies of young adolescents are fewer and less adult-like and that those of male adol escents are more coercive. We also examined the predictions from evolu tionary psychology that suggest in sexual strategies, males communicat e emotional involvement, long-term interest, and resource investment, whereas females communicate sexual availability and fertility. Methods : The sample consisted of 153 African-American, white, Chinese-America n, and Mexican-American adolescents. A strategy inventory was develope d and mention of strategies by males and females were compared. Result s: Significant gender differences in mention of strategies were found. Males mentioned a higher percentage of coercive strategies such as pr essuring and raping as well as a higher percentage of strategies such as lying and getting a partner drunk or high. Males and females both m entioned a higher percentage of strategies communicating commitment an d investment. Females mentioned more strategies which signaled sexual availability. Adolescent strategies were fewer than those reported by adults and less focused on appearance enhancement and the intricacies of dating. Conclusions: Findings suggest the need for special targetin g of coercive situations, use of sexual strategies as a prompt for cou nterstrategies aimed at abstinence, use of sexual strategies as a cont ext for condom use promotion, and reinforcement of female preparatory strategies. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1997.