Turkish University Students’ Beliefs in Sexual Myths

Sexual myths are exaggerated and unscientific ideas on sexual topics that people mistakenly believe to be true. Sex education is the most cost effective intervention to prevent sexual problems and to promote high standards concerning the quality of sexual life. In this study, the sexual beliefs of Turkish university students were evaluated. A 33-question survey form was administered to 290 females and 308 males (total of 598) senior university students. A greater proportion of females than males had received formal education about sexuality. Approximately one-third of the males believed that providing sex education encouraged sexual behavior. More than half of the students believed that marrying a virgin increased sexual satisfaction and that circumcision was important for cleanliness of the penis. The percentages of students who accepted or rejected these myths were similar regardless of whether they were studying social sciences, physical science, and health sciences. Studying the sexual beliefs of adolescents and young people will be beneficial in planning sex education programs as well as determining their content within academic and medical environments.