Learning Objective #1: Describe young adolescents' perceptions of romantic relationships

Learning Objective #2: Describe gender differences in young adolescents' perceptions of romantic relationships including important partner characteristics and approval of sexual activities

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Purpose: Sexual activity in early adolescence generally occurs within the context of a romantic relationship. Yet, little is known about how young adolescents view sexual activities and partners within these relationships and if gender differences in these views exist. The purposes of this investigation were: 1) to describe how young adolescents' perceive sexual activity within a romantic relationship as well as characteristics that are important in romantic partners, and 2) to determine if gender differences exist among young adolescents in their perceptions of important partner characteristics and approval of sexual behaviors that are approximations to intercourse. Participants: Fifty-seven volunteers (M age = 13.8) were recruited from eighth-grade classes in one urban middle school located in a midwestern state. Fifty-six percent were female and 65% were Caucasian. Methods: A descriptive design was employed. On an anonymous questionnaire, participants rated the acceptability of 13 sexual behaviors within an eighth-grade romantic relationship and the importance of 23 characteristics in a boyfriend or girlfriend. For data analysis, partner characteristics were divided into four categories: physical (e.g. cute), personal (e.g. fun), social (e.g. popular), and risk behaviors (e.g. does not drink). Results: Among all participants, 61% perceived abstinence as acceptable within an eighth-grade romantic relationship, 58% indicated that sexual intercourse with a condom is acceptable, and 23% perceived sexual intercourse without a condom as acceptable. A partner's physical, personal, and risk behavior characteristics were rated as very important. Male adolescents were significantly more likely to rate physical characteristics as important. Finally, as the sexual behaviors become progressively more intimate they were significantly more likely to be perceived as acceptable among male adolescents. Conclusion: Young adolescents' perceptions of romantic relationships are influenced by gender. Such views must be considered in the design of relationship-focused programs aimed to decrease risk behavior.