Sexual behavior and attitudes of students: differences in gender and religious identity

The paper presents the results of a study on sexual behavior of seniors aged 20-24 majoring in various fields. The study was conducted in Moscow and Stavropol in 2019. The paper describes the differences in the age of sexual debut and the age of a first sexual partner, the purpose of sexual intercourse, the attitude to premarital sexual relations, and the use of contraception depending on gender and religious affiliation of students. The author notes that students' attitudes and sexual behavior differ more in religious identity than in gender. Muslim students are more conservative about sexual relations. The body's need, desire, and sexual attraction are the main purposes of students' sexual relations. There is a dynamic liberalization of views on premarital sexual behavior. The study identifies the preferred channels for getting information on sexual relations, contraception, and behavior towards unplanned pregnancy by students.