First sexual intercourse: anticipation and communication. Interviews with young people in England

This study investigated anticipation and communication around first sexual intercourse through semi structured interviews with young people (aged 16 t o 29) in England. Ranging from surprise to pre-planning, several different levels of anticipation are explored. The main findings are as follows: comm unication plays a central role, mediating between the degree of anticipatio n and the degree to which first intercourse is wanted, protected and enjoye d. First intercourse tends to be characterized by silence, especially durin g early, spontaneous encounters. Silence does not imply lack of communicati on-non-verbal communication plays an important role. Where young people are ambivalent, verbal and non verbal communication may send contradictory mes sages. The implications of the results for future safer sex campaigns are d iscussed. (C) 1998 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adoles cents.