Sources of Sexuality Information for University Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine sources of sexuality information and to determine which of those sources have had the most influence on university students' sexual learning. Two hundred three students in an undergraduate human sexuality course rated 34 potential sources of sexuality information. The students also identified, in rank order, the five sources of information that have most influenced their knowledge of human sexuality. Females considered parents more influential than did males, and students reported more sexuality discussion with mothers than with fathers. Overwhelmingly, students reported more discussion about sexuality with same-sex sources. Results of both the ranking and the rating indicated peers, parents, and media as the three most prominent sources of sexuality information for both male and female students.