Sexual attraction, desires and behaviors: Evidence of diversity in sexual orientation among Spanish youth

Abstract

Sexual orientation has been one of the sexual dimensions that has been more standardized, making invisible the realities that were moving away from heterosexuality. For this reason, this study aims to delve into sexual experiences with the same and the opposite sex in young women and men. 500 Spanish women and 500 Spanish men, between 18 and 25 years old, answered an ad hoc questionnaire about sexual diversity. The mean age of the sample was 21.23 years old (SD=1.99). A 26.1% of the participants identified with a different orientation than heterosexual, a 12.8% as a bisexual and a 10.8% as a homosexual. In general, women feel greater sexual attraction for both sexes, as well as a higher prevalence of sexual behavior and a greater willingness to engage in sexual behaviors with both sexes. Sexuality is more complex than traditionally estimated, a wide variety of behaviors is observed regardless of self-assigned sexual orientation. These results could be useful, in therapy, to work on self-acceptance and normalize one's sexual diversity and, as prevention, to educate in tolerance, reduce the stigma of the LGTBI community and make flexible concepts about sexuality.