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Adolescents’ attitudes, stereotypes, and myths about sexuality can lead to the emergence of risk behaviours that increase adolescents’ vulnerability and produce negative effects physically, psychologically or emotionally. It is important, therefore, to identify these attitudes, stereotypes and myths and intervene where dysfunctions are found. If adolescents have the information and motivation needed to prevent sexual risk behaviours, it is likely that they will modify their attitudes and behaviors related to sexuality (Smerecnik et al., 2010). This research focuses on adolescents' attitudes, stereotypes and myths about sexuality, and it is based on the data collected through a questionnaire to a sample of 34 adolescents from Cluj-Napoca and Bistriţa-Năsăud County. Results revealed that their attitudes towards different areas of sexuality became more equalitarian, with no significant differences between girls and boys. There are no discrepancies between the attitudes of girls and boys regarding the use of contraceptive methods. Adolescents’ attitudes towards teenage pregnancy are more divided by gender. Regarding the attitudes of adolescents towards homosexuality, these are similar among gender and dominated by intolerance. Regarding the double sexual standards and gender stereotypes, it was possible to conclude that the attitudes of adolescents towards the role of women and men in society are generally equal. Last but not least, it can be noticed that regardless of gender, adolescents still hold beliefs in many myths in the sphere of sexuality. The study also investigated how the topics of sexual double standard and myths varied by the place of residence and by the way of involvement in the research (in a day center for youth or online).
Keywords: tereotypes, myths, sexuality, gender differences, adolescents, Romania
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