Sexual Initiation of Young People in Chile: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze the sexual initiation of heterosexual young people in Northern Chile using the sexual script theory. Methods: A qualitative methodology was used with 14- to 19-year-old subjects. We did individual interviews and focus groups. Results: Narratives reveal that young people have scripts for sexual initiation. Although these scripts involve emotions and beliefs shared by both men and women, there are also differences. Findings also reveal that sexual scripts involve different stereotypes about male and female sexual initiation. Finally, Chilean young men engage in hook-up encounters, but women who engage in this type of sexual intercourse are negatively stereotyped as “easy” or “whores.” Conclusions: Results suggest that sexual initiation is considered salient by our interviewees; they evaluate sexual initiation by giving it a significant value. Moreover, the Chilean young people interviewed organize their ideas and emotions about their sexual initiation in scripts.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual initiation
• sexual scripts
• Chile
• youth
• gender differences