Changing Sex Norms in America and Scandinavia

A study was undertaken to determine trends in sexual attitudes and behavior over time between the sexes and cross-cultural. 3 different college cultures - a very restrictive Mormon culture a moderately restrictive Midwestern culture and a highly permissive Danish culture - were studied in 1958 and reinterviewed in 1968. Attitudes concerning the censorship of pornography virginity at marriage and premarital sex clearly showed a liberalizing over time. In each group sampled there was greater liberalization among the females and a convergence of attitude and behavior of the 2 sexes during the decade. There was less of a gap between attitudes and behavior in 1968 than in 1958. More Americans than Danes more females than males and more respondents in 1958 than in 1968 had their 1st coital experience in a commitment relationship. The American norm seems to be toward more premarital sex with commitment and the Danish norm seems to be going toward free and promiscuous sex.