Masculinity of Early Adolescence Looks for Meaningful Intimacy

Many stereotypes suggest that teenage boys are unlikely to understand the meaning behind intimacy in sexual relationships. Yet a recent findings published in the American Journal of Men's Health proves quite the contrary. Many are searching for partnerships that provide an early glimpse into male emotional and behavioral development.

For the study, researchers examined 33 males between the ages of 14 and 16 in order to learn more about any romantic or sexual relationships that had developed, progressed and ended throughout their lifetime. All participants were recruited during routine medical visits and a community adolescent clinic that served predominantly low-income, African-American adolescents. This group's sexual history began earlier than the national average, oftentimes putting them at an increased risk for sexually transmitted disease.

The sample was asked open-ended questions about relationships and sex, including desirable aspects of their partner, intimacy, closeness and trust.

"Prevailing values in our culture suggest adolescent males want sex, not relationships. However, values and behaviors related to sex and relationships are likely more complex than typically portrayed," said first author David Bell, MD, MPH, assistant professor of Population and Family Health at the Mailman School of Public Health and assistant professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center, in a news release. "In fact, very few of the participants described sex as the main goal of opposite-sex interactions and relationships."

Researchers said they believe that the study advances an understanding about the need to establish close relationships in young men and the desire and necessity to participate in sexual relations.

Findings revealed that few participants listed trying to trick or talk a partner into sex. More so, sexual expression was partially a form of concerns about their capacity to properly perform.

Dr. Bell notes the stark difference seen in older adolescent males, which suggests that relationships should be focused around sex and avoidance of intimacy.

In future studies, researchers hope to determine how and why early male adolescent believes "evolve" into more predominant ones.