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Sexual attitudes and Behavior
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During the past several decades, there have been major changes within most Western countries in people's attitudes towards sex and in sexual behavior.
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For people who have lived throughout this period, the changes have seemed quite remarkable.
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Until the early 20th century, people in most Western countries did not have permissive attitudes regarding sexuality.
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For the most part, young people were expected to wait until marriage before having sexual intercourse.
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Of course, some premarital sex did occur, and prostitution was not rare.
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However, sexual behavior was relatively restricted.
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As the 20th century progressed, there was a gradual trend toward liberalization of attitudes towards sex.
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However, this tread was greatly speeded after 1960 when the first birth control pills became available.
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These contraceptive pills made it possible for women to engage in sexual intercourse without much risk of an unwanted pregnancy.
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As a result, many women were more willing to have premarital sex than was previously the case.
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Also during the 60s, Western countries were reaching high levels of wealth and education.
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A new and very large generation of young people was approaching adulthood and there was a mood of rebellion against traditional norms.
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There was an increase in the number of people who engaged in sex before marriage, and also a greater openness about such behavior.
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By the 1970s, sexual attitudes had become quite liberal, and many young people were quite promiscuous in their sexual behavior.
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However, this pattern reversed somewhat during the 1980s.
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There was increased concern about sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.
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Moreover, many young women had been uncomfortable with the idea of unrestricted sexual behavior.
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As a result, sexual attitudes became slightly more conservative during the 1980s and 1990s, although they remain much more liberal than in previous decades.
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In the early 21st century, most young people in Western countries begin having sex during their high school years, although some people wait until they are considerably older.
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Some young people are promiscuous, but most engage in monogamous relationships that typically last for a period of several months or a few years.
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When one relationship ends, another usually begins soon after.
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This pattern usually continues until marriage.
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After marriage, most people have sex exclusively with their spouse.
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However, some people do commit adultery.
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Sexuality has changed a great deal in recent decades.
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It will be very interesting to see how people's sexual attitudes and behavior will change in the future.