Human sexuality in Lithuania: a cross generational study of sexual attitudes and behavior

ENThis study sought to explore the differences in sexual attitudes and behaviors between two generations of Lithuanian citizenry. The goal of this study was not intended to go deeply into the psychological factors underlying human sexuality in Lithuania; it was intended to be broad in scope and scan the terrain surrounding the location of human sexuality as experienced by Lithuanian people today. Through a comparison and awareness of differences in sexual behavior, this study looked to see if attitudes and behavior were consistent, if there were differences, and how these differences were reflected in the lives of each generation. By comparing the social demographics of the participants, including sexual minorities, socio-economic data, education, and other data, a compilation of differences and similarities were produced. Using a convenience sample of Lithuanian citizens, participants completed the Socio Demographic Questionnaire, The Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale, The Sexual Opinion Survey, The Sexuality Scale, and the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory which are designed to measure sexual attitudes and behaviors. Data were analyzed using the independent sample t-test looking for the differences in sexual attitudes and behaviors.The findings of the study suggest that formal sex education in Lithuania is not occurring so that it has an impact upon past or present generations of Lithuanians to change behaviors or alter attitudes in any significant way. The findings do suggest that the influence of Westernization in the culture of Lithuania has had a definite impact upon how sexuality is viewed both in permissiveness and actual behavior. The findings of the number of expected sexual partners over the next five years is significantly higher for the younger generation suggesting behavior that runs the risk of an increase in sexually transmitted disease and unexpected pregnancy. In spite of the influence of the Soviet rule, the older generation maintained a very responsible sexuality in many ways. The older generation was able to be sexually engaged and midline between erotophilic and erotophobic attitudes, suggesting a healthy sexuality overall.