Citation

Boethius CG. Plan. Parent. Rev. 1986; 6(1): 17-19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Planned Parenthood Federation of America)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12340615

Abstract

Attitudes toward teenage sexuality are markedly different in Sweden and the US. The more accepting attitude toward adolescent sexuality and the greater availability of family planning information and services may explain why Sweden has a lower adolescent pregnancy, abortion, and childbirth rate than the US. In contrast to the situation in the US, the Swedish mass media presents a realistic view of sexuality to the youth of the nation. It stresses the responsible use of contraception and the need to protect against sexually transmitted diseases in both its entertainment and educational shows. No commercials are aired on Swedish TV; therefore, Swedish youth are not exposed to the blatant and irresponsible image of sex frequently conveyed by commercials in the US. Moreover, in Sweden, parents accept the fact that their older teenagers will engage in sexual activity and help their children prepare for this activity. As a result, teenagers are reassured that their parents understand their feelings and emotions. These teenagers, in turn, are likely to accept their parents' advice about engaging in responsible sexual behavior. In contrast, in societies like the US, which are nonaccepting of adolescent sexual behavior, teenagers are likely to feel their parents and the larger society do not understand their feelings. These teenagers are likely to reject parental or societal advice on sexual matters. Sweden's accepting attitude toward adolescent sexuality is relatively recent. Prior to the 1960s, attitudes in Sweden were similar to those of present day American society. Eventually the government, the schools, and the parents recognized that they were creating a breach between the generations, and they gradually adopted a more realistic and accepting stance on sexual matters. By 1970, all Swedish children were receiving sex education in school. Television programing in sex education began in the 1960s. The broad distribution of printed sex education materials also began in the 1960s. Young people in Sweden are not totally protected from exposure to negative sexual protrayals. Pornography is common. In 1970, following the parliamentary repeal of an old law prohibiting pornography, mass produced pornography began to appear in Sweden. A broad based campaign against pornography lead to the passage in 1980 of a law prohibiting child pornography. Currently, legislation is being considered which would regulate sexual violence in films, tapes, and television and control the printing of sadistic pornographic pictures. In line with past traditions, Swedes believe it is possible to maintain an open attitude about sexual matters while prohibiting the portrayal of sexual exploitation and sexual violence.

Language: en