Sexual Life in Sweden

Description

Now available in English for the first time, Sexual Life in Sweden is a classic piece of sex research by one of Sweden's most distinguished social scientists. Sponsored by the Royal Commission on Sex Education more than thirty years ago, it remains the only study of sexual behavior in a randomly selected adult population sample ever funded by a government.Because an astonishing response rate was... Read more

Now available in English for the first time, Sexual Life in Sweden is a classic piece of sex research by one of Sweden's most distinguished social scientists. Sponsored by the Royal Commission on Sex Education more than thirty years ago, it remains the only study of sexual behavior in a randomly selected adult population sample ever funded by a government.Because an astonishing response rate was achieved (91 percent) during the course of Zetterberg's research, the claim that Sweden is one of the few countries where generalizations about national sexual behavior can be made may be stated with confidence. Zetterberg's study matches the gender of interviewers to that of subjects. From a theoretical perspective, Zetterberg analyzes the change in Sweden from a "restrictive" to a "contraceptive" society. The study makes it clear that, with over 1,000 acts of intercourse for every live birth, 90 percent of sexual activity between consenting adults in modern Sweden does not result simply for procreation. Nevertheless, the research yields a picture of a highly responsible society. Zetterberg explores the emergence of two powerful new norms: "when having sex, you must use contraception," and "when in an existing sexual relationship, you must not start another one." He also examines the issue of abortion as part of a concept of social justice. The author compares the behavior of those who experience an unwanted pregnancy with those who do not, and explains that abortion is seen by Swedes as part of the provision of the welfare and social justice system. Included is an examination of the sexual behavior of young people-the age of their first sexual experience, the circumstances surrounding it, whether positive parental involvement in their children's lives has any influence on their sexual conduct, and sex education programs in the schools.This translation of Zetterberg's study has been prepared by British sociologist Graham Fennell, who also authored a new introduction positioning Zetterberg's work in the history of sex research and comparing its findings with contemporary studies in Scandinavia, Western Europe, and North America. In light of the ongoing controversies about sex education, its conclusions remain relevant to policy discussions today. Read less

Author’s Preface to the English Translation, Introduction to the Translation: Zetterberg’s Sexual Life in Sweden—A Landmark in the History of Sex Research, A LANDMARK STUDY, Sex Research—the Top Ten, Zetterberg’s Study—the Swedish Context, Sex in Sweden, A Model of Social Research, ZETTERBERG’S METHODOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS, The Brief, Study Design, Sampling, Numbers and Representativeness, Reliability and Validity, ZETTERBERG’S THEORETICAL CONTRIBUTIONS The Contraceptive Society, An Under-Exploited Reservoir of Joy, Social Justice and the Abortion Question SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF YOUNG PEOPLE, SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS What Do We Know About Sex in Childhood and Adolescence? What Followed from Zetterberg’s Study? How Have Times Changed? ZETTERBERG’S FINDINGS AND LATER SEX RESEARCH, Heterosexual Experience and Practice, Age of First Heterosexual Intercourse, Numbers of Partners, Infidelity and Parallel Relationships, Masturbation, Homosexual Experience, Sex Research, the Broadening Horizon, Sexual Life in Sweden: 1. About the Investigation, 2. On the Restrictive Sexual Pattern and Later Developments, 3. On Initiation into Sexual Life 4. Sexual Activity in the Population 5. Knowledge about Sex 6. Equality and Welfare.

Author(s)

Biography

Hans L. Zetterberg

Sexual Life in Sweden

Description

Table of Contents

Author(s)

Biography

SOCIAL NETWORKS

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