ABSTRACT
Objective:
This research was carried out to determine the university students’ views and attitudes on sexual myths/rape myths.
Methods:
The research was carried out as descriptive. The sample consisted of 140 students studying at the faculty of engineering-architecture, the faculty of science and literature, and the school of health sciences. Data collection tools consisted of two parts. In the first part, there were questions about sociodemographic characteristics and sexuality. In the second part, there were 15 myths about sexual myths and sexual assault myths created by researchers with the aid of literature.
Results:
The mean age of the students participating in the study was 21.98±1.70 years, and 48.6% (n=68) were female and 51.4% were male. 32.1% (n=45) of them were in the nursing department of SBYO, 25.7% (n=36) were in the departments of the engineering-architecture faculty, and 42.1% (n=59) were in the departments of the faculty of science and literature. It was observed that the students got information about sexuality mostly from communication tools (44.2%) and 48.6% (n=68) had negative thoughts about sexual intercourse before marriage. It was concluded that men, nursing and engineering-architecture faculty students and those who had a negative opinion about sexual intercourse before marriage were significantly more likely to agree with some sexual myths/sexual assault myths.
Conclusion:
There are those who accept these myths as true, albeit at a low rate, among university students. This may be due to gender roles, restrictive cultural norms, and the inadequacy of education and information on sexual assault and sexuality in the education system. Shaping the education system will provide university students’ awareness about sexual myths and sexual assault myths and will help students acquire and internalize correct information.
Keywords: Sexual health, sexual behavior, sexual trauma, rape, universities, students
References
1
Cinsel Eğitim Tedavi Araştırma Derneği (CETAD) [Internet]. Cinsel Yaşam ve Sorunları 1. Bilgilendirme Dosyası Basın Bülteni 2006 Ekim [Erişim:22.09.2020]. Erişim adresi: https://cetad.org.tr/CetadData/Books/21/1-bilgilendirme-dosyasi-basin-bulteni-31-ekim-2006-istanbul.pdf
2
Askun D, Ataca B. Sexuality Related Attitudes and Behaviors of Turkish University Students. Arch Sex Behav. 2007;36(5):741-752. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9186-z
3
Erbil N. Relationship Between Sexual Myths and Sexual Function of Women. International Journal of Caring Sciences. 2019;12(3):1570-1579.
4
Marks MJ, Fraley RC. The Sexual Double Standard: Fact or Fiction. Sex Roles. 2005;52(3-4):175-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-1293-5
5
Ogur P, Utkualp N, Aydınoğlu N. Sağlık Yüksekokulu Öğrencilerinin Cinsellikle İlgili İnanışları. Sted. 2016;25(1):13-21. file:///C:/Users/Sevinc/AppData/Local/Temp/DuranErgnalkanKarada.pdf
6
T.C Sağlık Bakanlığı [Internet]. Türkiye Üreme Sağlığı Programı Hizmet Çerçevesi Raporu 2004 [Erişim 24.09.2020]. Erişim adresi: https://sbu.saglik.gov.tr/Ekutuphane/Yayin/427
7
Aksoy Derya Y, Timur Taşhan S, Uçar T, Karaaslan T, Akbaş Tunç Ö. Toplumsal Cinsiyet Rollerine İlişkin Tutumların Cinsel Tabulara Etkisi. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2017;6:1-8.
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/371787
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/371787
8
T.C Sağlık Bakanlığı Ana Çocuk Sağlığı ve Aile Planlaması Genel Müdürlüğü [Internet]. Gençlere Yönelik Üreme Sağlığı Hizmetleri Katılımcı Kitabı 2009 [Erişim 24.09.2020]. Erişim adresi: https://sbu.saglik.gov.tr/Ekutuphane/Yayin/328
9
Türk Dil Kurumu [Internet]. Güncel Türkçe Sözlük 2020 [Erişim 27.09.2020]. Erişim adresi: http://sozluk.gov.tr/
10
Civil B, Yıldız H. Erkek Öğrencilerin Cinsel Deneyimleri ve Toplumdaki Cinsel Tabulara Yönelik Görüşleri. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Yüksekokulu Elektronik Dergisi. 2010;3(2):58-64.
https://acikerisim.deu.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.12397/4551/58-64_pdf.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://acikerisim.deu.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.12397/4551/58-64_pdf.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
11
World Health Organization [Internet]. Sexual health [Erişim Tarihi 24.09.2020]. Erişim adresi: http://www.who.int/topics/sexual_health/en/
12
Tabatabaie A. Constructing The İdeal Muslim Sexual Subject: Problematics Of School-Based Sex Education in Iran. Sex Education. 2015;15(2):204-216. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2014.992066
13
Eker T, Erdener E. Tecavüze İlişkin Kültürel Mitler ve Mitlerin Kabul Edilmesine Etki Eden Faktörler. Türk Psikoloji Yazıları. 2011;14(28):60-72.
https://www.psikolog.org.tr/tr/yayinlar/dergiler/1031828/tpy1301996120110000m000114.pdf
https://www.psikolog.org.tr/tr/yayinlar/dergiler/1031828/tpy1301996120110000m000114.pdf
14
Kress VE, Shepherd JB, Anderson RI, Petuch AJ, Nolan JM, Thiemeke D. Evaluation of The Impact of a Coeducationalsexual Assault Prevention Program on College Students’ Rape Myth Attitudes. Journal of College Counseling. 2006;9(2):148-157. DOI: 10.1002 / j.2161-1882.2006.tb00101.x
15
Yancı F, Alioğlu F, Polat A. Attribution of Blame in Rape and Examination of Rape Myths in Terms of Different Variables. The Journal Of Neurobehavioral Sciences. 2018;(2):106-114.
16
Aygin D, Açıl H, Yaman Ö, Yılmaz AÇ. Üniversitede Okuyan Kadın Öğrencilerin Cinsel Mitler ile İlgili Görüşleri. Androl Bülteni. 2017;19(2):44-49. https://doi.org/10.24898/tandro.2017.06025
17
Çoklar I, Meşe G. Illinois Tecavüz Mitleri Kabul Ölçeği Kısa Formunu Türkçe’ye Uyarlama Çalışması. Psikoloji Çalışmaları. 2015;34(2):53-64.
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/404898
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/404898
18
Yalçın MA. Cinsel Saldırı Suçu Mağduru Kadınlara Karşı Toplumsal Tutumlar [Yüksek lisans Tezi]. İstanbul: İstanbul Üniversitesi; 2016.
https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezDetay.jsp?id=mGlOVr89Zdcv3RVXhc_Hig&no=J7EbInP2ZUNeHtP8u6gmww
https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezDetay.jsp?id=mGlOVr89Zdcv3RVXhc_Hig&no=J7EbInP2ZUNeHtP8u6gmww
19
Ziya AZ. Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Cinsel Mit İnançları, Cinsel Bilgi Düzeyleri ve Cinsel Tutumları Arasındaki İlişkiler [Yüksek lisans Tezi]. İstanbul: Haliç Üniversitesi; 2015.
https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezDetay.jsp?id=quP4jZBR1R7rsg4H5n-5Mw&no=j_2Rpf6ivrGGlkF9NHNWVg
https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezDetay.jsp?id=quP4jZBR1R7rsg4H5n-5Mw&no=j_2Rpf6ivrGGlkF9NHNWVg
20
Evcili F, Gölbasi Z. Sexual Myths and Sexual Health Knowledge Levels of Turkish University Students. Sexuality & Culture. 2017;21:976-990. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-017-9436-8
21
Vefikuluçay Yılmaz D, Güner Emül T, Uzel A, Değirmenci F, Buldum A, Aksu A, ve ark. Determination of Nursing Students’ Sexual Myths. Arch Health Sci Res. 2020;7(1):8-14. https://doi.org/10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2020.565110
22
Hayes RM, Lorenz K, Bell KA. Victim Blaming Others: Rape Myth Acceptance And The Just World Belief. Feminist Criminology. 2013;8(3):202-220. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557085113484788
23
Ozan S, Aras Ş, Semin SS, Orçin E. Sexual Attitudes and Behavioral Characteristics of the Students of Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine. J DEU Med. 2004;18(1):27-39.
https://acikerisim.deu.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.12397/3812/18-1-3.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://acikerisim.deu.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.12397/3812/18-1-3.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
24
Yılmaz B, Oskay Ü. Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Tecavüz Mitlerine İlişkin Görüşleri. Koç Üniversitesi Hemşirelikte Eğitim ve Araştırma Dergisi. 2020;17(4):328-334.
https://jer-nursing.org/Content/files/sayilar/37/328-334.pdf
https://jer-nursing.org/Content/files/sayilar/37/328-334.pdf
25
Aydın M. Lisans Öğrencilerinin Cinsel Sağlık Eğitimi ve Cinsel Sağlık İle İlgili Bilgi ve Görüşleri. Eğitim Kuram ve Uygulama Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2019;5(1) 1-13.
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/705287
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/705287
26
Karabulutlu Ö, Yılmaz D. Sexual Myths Among University Students by Gender. Sted. 2018;27(3):155-164.
27
Evgin D, Caner N, Küçük Öztürk G, Calpbinici P. The opinions universıty students about early marriage and child brides. The Journal of International Social Research. 2018;11(55):480-489. https://doi.org/10.17719/jisr.20185537221
28
Tokuç B, Berberoğlu U, Varol Saraçoğlu G, Çelikkalp Ü. Opinions of health college students on premarital sex induced abortions and contraceptive use of young people. Türkiye Halk Sağlığı Dergisi. 2011;9(3):166-173. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.173062
29
Ebeoğlu M, Karacan E. Cinsellikle ilgili konularda iletişim ile evlilik öncesi cinselliğe düzeyinin ve cinsiyetin rolü. Ege Eğitim Dergisi. 2019;20(1):1-19. https://doi.org/10.12984/egeefd.442010
30
Aronowitz T, Lambert CA, Davidoff S. The Role of Rape Myth Acceptance in The Social Norms Regarding Sexual Behavior Among College Students. J Community Health Nurs. 2012;29(3):173-182. doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2012.697852
31
Eroğlu E. Geçmişten Günümüze Sosyal Normlar. Akademik
Bakış Dergisi. 2015;50:299-308.
https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/383061
Bakış Dergisi. 2015;50:299-308.
https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/383061
32
Ozan S, Aras S, Semin S, Orcin E. Sexual attitudes and behaviors among medical students in Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2009;10(3):171-183. DOI: 10.1080/13625180500282205
33
Yıldırım T. Üniversite çağındaki ergenlerin cinsel bilgi, tutum ve davranışları [Yüksek lisans tezi]. Edirne: Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Aile Hekimliği Anabilim Dalı, Edirne; 2008.
https://dspace.trakya.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/trakya/275/0069748.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://dspace.trakya.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/trakya/275/0069748.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
34
Deniz AB, Aydemir İ. Determination of the Ideas of University Students Related to family and marriage. Journal of Society Social Work. 2021;32(1):59-78. https://doi.org/10.33417/tsh.799078
35
Şahin D, Şimşek F, Seyisoğlu H. Cinsel Yaşam ve Sorunları. Cinsel Eğitim Tedavi ve Araştırma Derneği Yayınları. 2007. https://www.cetad.org.tr/CetadData/Books/21/pdf-dosyasini-indirmek-icin-tiklayiniz.pdf (Erişim Tarihi: 15.05.2021).
36
Jamshed N, Kamal A. Prevalence of Rape Myths And Sexual Double Standards Among University Students in Pakistan. J Interpers Violence. 2021;36(15-16):8653-8667. DOI: 10.1177/0886260519844282
37
Hayes RM, Abbott RL, Cook S. It’s Her Fault: Student Acceptance of Rape Myths on Two College Campuses. Violence Against Women. 2016;22(13):1540-1555. DOI: 10.1177/1077801216630147
38
McMahon S. Rape Myth Beliefs and Bystander Attitudes Among Incoming College Students. J Am Coll Health. 2010;59(1):3-11. DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2010.483715
39
Barnett MD, Hale TM, Sligar KB. Masculinity, Femininity, Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs, And Rape Myth Acceptance Among Heterosexual College Men And Women. Sexuality & Culture. 2017;21:741-753. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-017-9420-3
40
Kamdar ZN, Kosambiya JK, Chawada BL, Verma M, Kadia A. Rape: Is it a lifestyle or behavioral problem? Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(1):77-82. DOI: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_78_16
41
Sivagnanam G, Bairy KL, D’Souza U. Attitude towards rape: A comparative study among prospective physicians of Malaysia. Med J Malaysia. 2005;60(3):286-93. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28529364/
42
Yılmaz M, Karataş B. Opinions of Student Nurses on Sexual Myths; A Phenomenological Study. Sexuality and Disability. 2018;36:277-289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-018-9517-0
43
Mavi Aydoğdu SG, Uzun B, Murat Öztürk D. Ebelik Öğrencilerinin Evlilik Dışı Cinsel İlişki Hakkındaki Görüş ve Tutumları. Androl Bul. 2019;21:97-104. https://www.doi.org/10.24898/tandro.2019.07269
44
Ogunfowokan AA, Olajubu AO, Oginni MO, Gbenu FE. Rape Myth Acceptance Among Nurses Undergoing Baccalaureate Nursing Degree Programme in a Nigerian University. International Journal of Caring Sciences. 2019;12(3):1857-1870.
http://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/59_ogunfowokan_original_12_3.pdf
http://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/59_ogunfowokan_original_12_3.pdf
45
Schwartz MD, Leggett MS. Bad Dates or Emotional Trauma? The Aftermath of Campus Sexual Assault. Violence Against Women. 1999;5(3):251-271. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778019922181211
46
Evcili F, Cesur B, Altun A, Güçtaş Z, Sümer H. Evlilik Öncesi Cinsel Deneyim: Ebelik Bölümü Öğrencilerinin Görüş ve Tutumları. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2013;2(4):486-498. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/84257
