Chandigarh Study: girls agree to pre-marital sex to bind boy friends

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Study: girls agree to pre-marital sex to bind boy friends

Chitleen K Sethi, Chandigarh, August 3

A study conducted on girl students of the city has revealed that

most of them feel forced to indulge in pre-marital sex in order

to " retain and bind " their male friends to them. The study also

revealed that these students had zero interaction with their parents

about sexual behaviour and related issues.

The study was undertaken on over 120 students of Panjab University

and a local girls college by Mrs Renu Gandhi, Programme Coordinator

Centre for Adult and Continuing Education, Panjab University, and Dr

Avnish Jolly, Coordinator, AIDS Hotline Cell,Chandigarh.

" The aim of the study was to know the social implications of

HIV/AIDS. The results were interesting. Most girls admitted that

they had to do things under pressure — for being accepted. Other than

pre-marital sex, students admitted that they did not mind drinking,

smoking and taking drugs in order to avoid feeling isolated, " said

Mrs Gandhi.

The study showed that 90 per cent of the girls knew how AIDS spread

though 40 per cent of them believed that among the other causes,

AIDS could also spread by infected mosquitoes. " About 45 per cent of

respondents knew what was meant by protected sex while another 40

per cent showed ignorance about the use of condoms. However, 15 per

cent of those who knew about condom use had been made to believe

that it reduced sexual gratification, " added Dr Gandhi.

Sixty per cent of girl students stated that abstinence was the best

method to stop the spread of AIDS while 40 per cent felt that

delaying the first sexual encounter was most effective. The students

were also asked about their reactions to fellow-students who

might suffer from HIV. " They reacted strongly against allowing a

student suffering from HIV to share the hostel with them or even a

classroom, " said Dr Jolly.

" What was most disturbing was the fact that these students never

interacted with their parents, specially the mother, about sexual

behaviour and other related problems. There is a need for family

counselling for youth so that they take informed decisions and

develop the necessary life skills required to reduce vulnerability

to HIV, " added Dr Jolly.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060804/cth1.htm#4

__________________

" Dr. Avnish Jolly " <avnishjolly@...>