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Social and cultural forces shape young people’s sexual behavior to the extent that information campaigns and condom distribution programs alone are not successful in combating epidemics such as AIDS. These U.K. authors reviewed 268 English-language qualitative studies from around the world (published from 1990 through 2004) about young people’s (age range, 10–25) sexual behavior. Most of these studies assessed behavior in unmarried, heterosexual, young people. Several key findings emerged worldwide that help explain young people’s sexual behavior and why they might engage in unsafe sex:
Sexual partners are a key influence on behavior in general.
Use of condoms is stigmatized and associated with lack of partner trust and with promiscuity.
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