Sexual health nurses to prevent boys pressuring girls into having sex

Sexual health nurses should educate adolescent boys to prevent them pressurising girls into having sex, a Sheffield University study has suggested.

Findings were based on focus groups of children aged 14–16 – five groups of boys and five of girls. They commented on four sexual relationship scenarios.

Girls were likely to consider how boys were thinking. Boys were likely to discuss coercing girls or getting them drunk so they would have sex. Boys in two groups mentioned raping girls who refused consent.

'Educational work with male adolescents needs to address the sexual attitudes and persuasive practices that some may follow,' the authors said.

Journal of Clinical Nursing (2008) 17: 2963–2971