The Rise of Bisexuality: U.S. Representative Data Show an Increase Over Time in Bisexual Identity and Persons Reporting Sex with Both Women and Men

Recognizing that social forces shape sexual behavior and sexual identities, we examined whether the recent liberalization in attitudes toward same-sex relationships has been accompanied by changes in sexual orientation as indicated by sexual behavior and sexual orientation identity. Using nationally representative data from the General Social Survey (n = 34,524), we compared reported patterns of sexual behavior of respondents from 1989 through 2021. Among the 2012-2018 waves (n = 7144, weighted), we compared patterns of sexual orientation, as indicated by behavior and identity, among different demographic groups. We also examined how sexual behavior varied among respondents with different sexual orientations. Results showed an increase in respondents reporting both male and female partners over time, with 3.1% of respondents reporting both male and female partners since age 18 among the 1989-1994 waves, 9.3% reporting this in the 2012-2018 waves, and 9.6% reporting this in the 2021 sample. Identifying as bisexual was more common among women (3.7%) than men (1.6%) and among younger persons than older persons. Over 6% of 18-29 year-olds but fewer than 2% of respondents over age 40 identified as bisexual. Findings demonstrate that sexual norms and behaviors have changed and that far more persons today than in earlier years identify as bisexual and/or have both male and female partners.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among a Representative Sample of US Adolescents, 2015

OBJECTIVES

To provide prevalence estimates of adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) based on large, representative, nonclinical samples of high-school students, and to explore gender differences in health risks associated with NSSI.

METHODS

We used 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data to estimate the prevalence of self-injury and variables potentially associated with self-injury for high-school-age boys (n = 32 150) and girls (n = 32 521) in 11 US states. We used logistic regression analysis to consider associations between NSSI and other health risks.

RESULTS

Rates of boys reporting purposefully hurting themselves without wanting to die over the past 12 months ranged from 6.4% (Delaware) to 14.8% (Nevada). Rates for girls varied from 17.7% (Delaware) to 30.8% (Idaho). Rates declined with age and varied by race and ethnicity. Depression; suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts; sexual minority status; being electronically bullied; smoking; and substance use were associated with NSSI. There were minor differences in associations between NSSI and health risk variables by gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonclinical populations of adolescents are at high risk for self-injury. Nonsuicidal self-injury was higher among girls than among boys, but patterns of association with other health risks were similar.

Female Prostitution, Customers, and Violence

Through a critical review of existing research, this article argues that (a) customers have been excluded from many debates surrounding prostitution, and including them will create a more robust dialogue regarding prostitution; (b) though prostitution seeking is often treated as a natural part of masculine sexual experience, most men do not pursue prostitutes, and very few are regular users; (c) many commonsense understandings of men’s motivations for seeking prostitutes are consistent with existing research; (d) a series of attitudinal orientations may help explain why some men meet their desires through prostitution and others do not, and may also help to explain some of the violence experienced by prostitutes; and (e) customers actively construct their encounters with prostitutes in ways that support their understandings of prostitution and their sexual desires, often working to maintain a sense of mutuality and consent. Incorporating customers into academic scholarship on prostitution can lead to more balanced research that better informs public policy.

Ordinary or peculiar men? Comparing the customers of prostitutes with a nationally representative sample of men

Recent media attention implies that prostitution seeking is widespread, an "ordinary" aspect of masculine sexual behavior. Other accounts suggest that customers are "peculiar," characterized by distinct qualities, perversions, or psychological impairments. Using the nationally representative General Social Survey (GSS), this study demonstrates that prostitution seeking is relatively uncommon. Only about 14% of men in the United States report having ever paid for sex, and only 1% report having done so during the previous year. Furthermore, this study dissects whether customers are ordinary or peculiar by comparing a new sample of active customers who solicit sex on the Internet with an older sample of arrested customers, a sample of customers from the GSS, and a nationally representative sample of noncustomers. The customers of Internet sexual service providers differed greatly from men in general and also from other customers. The remaining samples of customers differed slightly from noncustomers in general. We argue for a balanced perspective that recognizes the significant variety among customers. There is no evidence of a peculiar quality that differentiates customers in general from men who have not paid for sex.

A new standard of sexual behavior? Are claims associated with the "hookup culture" supported by general social survey data?

Popular media have described intimate relationships among contemporary college students as dominated by a pervasive sexual "hookup culture," implying that students are involved in frequent sexual encounters pursued by both participants without the expectation of a continuing relationship. The hookup culture has been described as "a nationwide phenomenon that has largely replaced traditional dating on college campuses" (Bogle, 2008 , p. 5). We tested whether these claims are supported among young adults (18-25) who had completed at least one year of college. Contrasting 1988-1996 waves of the General Social Survey with 2004-2012 waves, we found respondents from the current era did not report more sexual partners since age 18, more frequent sex, or more partners during the past year than respondents from the earlier era. Sexually active respondents from the current era were more likely than those from the earlier era to report sex with a casual date/pickup or friend, and less likely to report sex with a spouse/regular partner. These modest changes are consistent with cultural shifts in the "scripts" and terminology surrounding sexuality. We find no evidence of substantial changes in sexual behavior that would indicate a new or pervasive pattern of non-relational sex among contemporary college students.

Discomfort with homosexuality: a new measure captures differences in attitudes toward gay men and lesbians

This study describes a creative and psychometrically sound method that allows researchers to measure homonegativity at a lower threshold than existing measures and to differentiate between homonegativity toward gay men and lesbians. Four hundred and thirty-one undergraduate students at a Western comprehensive university were asked to respond to a series of vignettes describing situations in which heterosexuals sometimes experience discomfort in the presence of homosexuals, indicating the degree to which they would feel comfortable or uncomfortable. The 12-item Homonegativity as Discomfort Scale (HADS) has adequate alpha reliability (.92) as well as good criterion and construct validity. Suggestions are made as to how the measure could be employed in research. Testing on this sample shows greater discomfort with gay men than with lesbians and greater discomfort among men than among women.

A comparison of the male customers of female street prostitutes with national samples of men

Previous research on customers of prostitutes has relied on small samples and qualitative interviews. Conceptions of customers have tended toward either the "every man" perspective, which implies customers are no different than other men, or the "peculiar man" perspective, which implies customers are characterized by stark differences or psychological inadequacies. This study compares a large sample of men (N = 1672) arrested for trying to hire street prostitutes with nationally representative samples of men. Customers were less likely to be married, less likely to be happily married if married, and more likely to report being unhappy in general than men in the national samples. Customers also expressed greater sexual liberalism and reported thinking about sex, masturbating, and participating in other aspects of the sex industry more frequently than men in general. Most differences were small, indicating customers as a category differ from other men in degree rather than quality.

Lamaze and Bradley childbirth classes: contrasting perspectives toward the medical model of birth

BACKGROUND

Although many studies have evaluated the outcomes of childbirth education, few have seriously considered the content of the classes or considered any curriculum other than Lamaze. This study contrasts the perspectives of Lamaze and Bradley childbirth classes toward the medical model of birth.

METHODS

Four full series of Lamaze and four full series of Bradley classes were observed, and 31 women enrolled in the classes were interviewed.

RESULTS

Bradley classes were more likely than Lamaze classes to criticize aspects of the conventional hospital birth experience, such as routine electronic fetal monitoring and episiotomy, and to accept the validity of alternatives, such as home birth. Bradley classes were also more explicit in encouraging women to question or resist the judgment of their physician. Women enrolled in Lamaze classes experienced more medical intervention during childbirth than women enrolled in Bradley classes, and the latter seemed to attract women opposed to medical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Although not generalizable, these results provide greater insight into the contrasting perspectives to which birthing women are exposed in childbirth education classes and the process through which these perspectives are communicated.

Social status and drunk-driving intervention

The decision to intervene to prevent an inebriated peer from driving drunk is examined in a survey administered to one lower division and two upper division university classes. Of the 303 students who had been in a situation in which someone was too drunk to drive, 65% reported having intervened. Differences in the likelihood of intervention are examined through a log-linear analysis of the age, race and sex of the respondent and the potential drunk driver. The decision to intervene is seen as a naturally occurring form of helping behavior. Two hypotheses derived from the literature on helping behavior are examined: (1) persons are more likely to intervene with persons of lower status in terms of age, race and sex than with persons of higher status and (2) persons are more likely to intervene with those who are similar to themselves in terms of age, race and sex than with those who are different. Analysis reveals that persons are much more likely to experience drunk-driving situations in which the potential driver is similar to them in terms of these social characteristics than situations in which the driver is different. However, neither status differences nor similarity affects the likelihood of intervention.