Study: girls agree to pre-marital sex to bind boyfriends
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060804/cth1.htm#4
Chitleen K Sethi

Chandigarh, August 3
A study conducted on girl students of the city has revealed that
most of them feel forced to indulge in pre-marital sex in order
to "retain and bind" their male friends to them. The study also
revealed that these students had zero interaction with their parents
about sexual behaviour and related issues.

The study was undertaken on over 120 students of Panjab University
and a local girls college by Mrs Renu Gandhi, Programme Coordinator
Centre for Adult and Continuing Education, Panjab University, and Dr
Avnish Jolly, Coordinator, AIDS Hotline Cell,Chandigarh.

"The aim of the study was to know the social implications of
HIV/AIDS. The results were interesting. Most girls admitted that
they had to do things under pressure — for being accepted. Other than
pre-marital sex, students admitted that they did not mind drinking,
smoking and taking drugs in order to avoid feeling isolated," said
Mrs Gandhi.

The study showed that 90 per cent of the girls knew how AIDS spread
though 40 per cent of them believed that among the other causes,
AIDS could also spread by infected mosquitoes. "About 45 per cent of
respondents knew what was meant by protected sex while another 40
per cent showed ignorance about the use of condoms. However, 15 per
cent of those who knew about condom use had been made to believe
that it reduced sexual gratification," added Dr Gandhi.

Sixty per cent of girl students stated that abstinence was the best
method to stop the spread of AIDS while 40 per cent felt that
delaying the first sexual encounter was most effective. The students
were also asked about their reactions to fellow-students who
might suffer from HIV. "They reacted strongly against allowing a
student suffering from HIV to share the hostel with them or even a
classroom," said Dr Jolly.

"What was most disturbing was the fact that these students never
interacted with their parents, specially the mother, about sexual
behaviour and other related problems. There is a need for family
counselling for youth so that they take informed decisions and
develop the necessary life skills required to reduce vulnerability
to HIV," added Dr Jolly.