Researchers at the University of Michigan in the US looked at a group of college students, aged between 18 and 19 years, and found that those with higher testosterone levels were more likely to have an accepting attitude towards protected sex. The findings may reveal that for young college men, insisting on safe sex could feel like a riskier move than unprotected sex.
“There’s this body of research showing that people often view safer sex behaviours and people who engage in them in a somewhat negative light,” study author Sari van Anders said. Thus, she said, the “social risk” of insisting on using a condom might require more boldness and confidence than having unprotected sex.
Published 20 November 2011, 17:42 IST