The Dynamics of Sexual Behavior of College Students.

in marked contrast to pre-1962 research was a reported premarital coital rate for college women (mostly sophomores) of 41 percent—a finding which appears representative of this University and was replicated in an independent follow-up study. For males, a 60 percent coital rate differed little from previous research. But in spite of their relatively liberal sexual behavior, considerable evidence was found among men and women alike for the existence of a strong double standard, a finding particularly true of males when the female involved was a potentially meaningful one in the male's life. Furthermore, while males felt their friends approved of premarital intercourse, females felt their having had intercourse would be disapproved of by friends, family and society alike. It appears that the female's liberal sexual behavior has occurred in a setting where she perceived little support for such behavior. Evidence was also found that the more physically attractive college woman, while differing little from less attractive women in sexual attitudes and values, had more noncoital and coital experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]