Agency and Error in Young Adults’ Stories of Sexual Decision Making

We conducted a qualitative analysis of 148 college students’ written comments about themselves as sexual decision makers. Most participants described experiences in which they were actively engaged in decision‐making processes of “waiting it out” to “working it out.” The four patterns were (a) I am in control, (b) I am experimenting and learning, (c) I am struggling but growing, and (d) I have been irresponsible. The diverse ways in which young adults perceive themselves as sexual decision makers and actors reveals multiple contexts for promoting healthy sexual development through parental socialization, education, and research.