Perceptions of adolescents' adulthood entry and sexual initiation in Nordic countries

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine public opinions about the timing of adolescents' adulthood entrance and sexual debut in four Nordic countries. The research questions concern the appropriate ages when young people become adults and when young people are old enough to engage in sexual activities.Design/methodology/approachThe data utilised are derived from the Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish sections of the third European Social Survey (n = 7,078) conducted in 2006. By comparing the ages reported for boys and girls, the paper focuses on the disparities of responses between population groups.FindingsThe results reveal that there are notable differences in the appropriate ages reported for girls and boys. There is also variation in the responses by country. However, socio‐demographic information can predict respondents' opinions only partially.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis is based on cross‐sectional data. Subjective measures are used as the dependent and independent variables.Originality/valueThe results reveal interesting tensions in the Nordic welfare societies regarding people's perceptions of adulthood entrance. It is discussed to what degree the observations regarding the appropriate timing of adulthood entry and coital initiation may underline culturally defined stereotypes between sexes.