Original scientific paper
Gender Differences in On-line Sexual Activities and Their Consequences
Aleksandar ŠTULHOFER
Dražen URCH
Bojan MARJANOVIĆ
Marina BAUER
Zrinka ČUPIĆ
Ana KUNEJ
Una MIKAC
Ana MLINARIĆ
Nikolina ŠPOLJAR
Ana VOJNIĆ TUNIĆ
Tihomir VRAČEVIĆ
Maja VUJČIĆ
Abstract
Current studies, although low in number, point to high
prevalence of online sexual activities (OSA) among the
younger, educated and professionally accomplished
generations. Also, the existing body of research indicates a
pattern of gender differences in OSA. In order to find out
whether these findings are applicable to Croatia, in 2004 we
carried out the first online survey on OSA. The analyses show
that men and women differ in several important dimensions:
in the amount of time spent in OSA, in the ratio between
communicational and consummative motives for OSA, in the
relative success of offline contacts, in lying about one's
appearance, and in the prevalence of intimate (but not
professional) problems caused by OSA. In several important
details, our findings do not corroborate the results of two US
and a Swedish study. In conclusion, the authors emphasize
the need for continuing research on the phenomenology of Internet sexuality. In spite of the methodological
shortcomings and limitations typical of online surveys, such
studies can provide better understanding of the
contemporary, increasingly technologically mediated, sexual
meanings, interactions and exchanges.
Keywords
Internet; sexual behavior; online sexual activities; gender differences; relationship problems; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
18351
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2006.
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