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Catching up! The sexual opinions and behaviour of Italian students (2000-2017)

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Abstract

Over the past decades and particularly recently, sexual attitudes and behaviour have been exposed to tremendous changes across developed societies. Only partial or outdated studies are available for Italy. This paper aims to provide fresh insights into the sexual and emotional behaviour and attitudes of young Italians. Our analysis compares the results of two nationally representative surveys of Italian university students conducted in 2000 (n = 4,998) and 2017 (n = 8,094). The results highlight a clear pattern of anticipation of the sexual debut. In addition, the sexual behaviour and attitudes of boys and girls seem to be converging in several respects (contraception, casual sex, betrayal), even if some differences between men and women remain large, especially on double standards. Convergence is mainly driven by a ‘feminisation’ of male sexual life within the couple and a ‘masculinisation’ of female sexual life outside the couple. Finally, acceptance of homosexual experiences is rising substantially.

Suggested Citation

  • Gianpiero Dalla Zuanna & Marcantonio Caltabiano & Alessandra Minello & Daniele Vignoli, 2019. "Catching up! The sexual opinions and behaviour of Italian students (2000-2017)," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2019_02, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".
    • Handle: RePEc:fir:econom:wp2019_02
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    File URL: https://labdisia.disia.unifi.it/wp_disia/2019/wp_disia_2019_02.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniele Vignoli & Anna Matysiak & Marta Styrc & Valentina Tocchioni, 2018. "The positive impact of women’s employment on divorce: Context, selection, or anticipation?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 38(37), pages 1059-1110.
    2. Daniele Vignoli & Silvana Salvini, 2014. "Religion and union formation in Italy: Catholic precepts, social pressure, and tradition," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 31(35), pages 1079-1106.
    3. Silvana Salvini & Daniele Vignoli, 2011. "Things change: Women’s and men’s marital disruption dynamics in Italy during a time of social transformations, 1970-2003," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 24(5), pages 145-174.
    4. Marcantonio Caltabiano & Gianpiero Dalla Zuanna & Alessandro Rosina, 2006. "Interdependence between sexual debut and church attendance in Italy," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 14(19), pages 453-484.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fausta Ongaro & Valentina Tocchioni, 2021. "Adding up risks: Sexual debut and substance use among Italian university students," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2021_14, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".
    2. Silvana Salvini, 2019. "Italian students in 2000 and in 2017 between sexual risk behaviors and family communication," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2019_10, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".
    3. Ryohei Mogi & Daniele Vignoli, 2021. "Sexual debut and dating of university students in low fertility societies: Italy and Japan," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2021_06, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sexuality; gender; behaviours; opinions; double standard; Italy; students;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts

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