Sexual beliefs and practices among the college-going youth: A study of Jammu City

Beliefs provide individuals with a sense of certainty and belonging; beliefs are sometimes dysfunctional at the individual as well as societal level. Many studies explored beliefs about sexual practices and attitudes not alike among the young and old generation. The topic related to sex is not easy to study; the present study aims to understand the beliefs and practices among the college-going youth in the Jammu city. The study focused on the beliefs regarding intimate premarital relations among unmarried girls and boys, and respondents experience regarding sexual intercourse and masturbation. The results indicated young college going boys have more liberal views than college going young girls towards premarital sex; however, in the practice of sexual intercourse majority of respondents does not have an experience of sexual engagement. The study has indicated that their socio-cultural background and gender norms have shaped the sexual beliefs of college-going youth in Jammu city.