Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Objective: To explore expectations, experiences and circumstances of anal sex among young people. Design: Qualitative, longitudinal study using individual and group interviews. Participants: 130 men and women aged 16-18 from diverse social backgrounds. Setting: 3 contrasting sites in England (London, a northern industrial city, rural southwest). Results: Anal heterosex often appeared to be painful, risky and coercive, particularly for women. Interviewees frequently cited pornography as the 'explanation' for anal sex, yet their accounts revealed a complex context with availability of pornography being only one element. Other key elements included competition between men; the claim that ' people must like it if they do it' (made alongside the seemingly contradictory expectation that it will be painful for women); and, crucially, normalisation of coercion and 'accidental' penetration. It seemed that men were expected to persuade or coerce reluctant partners. Conclusions: Young people' s narratives normalised coercive, painful and unsafe anal heterosex. This study suggests an urgent need for harm reduction efforts targeting anal sex to help encourage discussion about mutuality and consent, reduce risky and painful techniques and challenge views that normalise coercion.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/bmjopen-2014-004996

Type

Journal article

Journal

BMJ Open

Publication Date

01/01/2014

Volume

4