REPORT ON CONCEPTS AND ATTITUDES OF PREMARITAL SEXUAL

RELATIONSHIP AMONG MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS OF

KATHMANDU

JUNE 2012

PREPARED AND SUBMITTED BY:

NIRMAL KHATRI

RANJAN HARI KOIRALA

BMS 1ST

YEAR, 2ND

SEMESTER

SUBMITTED TO:

DILLI RAM TIMALSINA

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND MASS COMMUNICATION

KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ARTS

DHULIKHEL, KAVRE

03/07/2012

Acknowledgement

Learning takes place where there is understanding. Without understanding, the question of

knowledge doesn’t arise at all. As far as it is concerned to us, that knowledge from library

books is not sufficient unless it is supported by practical examples and better realities of socio-

cultural life ideologies. At first, the writers of this report wish to express their gratitude to Mr.

Dilli Ram Timalsina for his guidance in selecting this topic, and providing us such a golden

platform for the study. The writers would like to express deep thanks to Assistant Professor,

Hem Raj Kafle for his help in getting data and information by preparing recommendation letter.

He also suggested us to prepare in sample questionnaire. Over and above, we would like to

thank our colleagues who suggested us and the credit of sincere thanks goes to the participant of

this study who were very interested express their attitudes and opinions.

Over and above, we wish to express our gratitude towards the college and the concerned program

coordinators who have helped in making our survey successful while we were visiting their

college .

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the premarital sexual attitudes and concepts of male

and female students student studying and dwelling in Kathmandu of a random sampling of the

year 2012 June. A secondary purpose of this study was to examine the comparison of male and

female student involvement in premarital sexual relationship.

As our country Nepal, is a developing and still due to the religious dogmas here, we can see

various beliefs and attitudes are valued in the society. Even the premarital sexual relationship is

valued as a social taboo and strictly prohibited in our societies. Such culture needs immediate

corrective action and dire attention. Because of low literacy rate of Nepalese, even still the

youths cannot speak frankly and openly in sexual matter. If spoke, the knowledge and perception

by which society perceive them is still full of insularities. Even the educated persons are

hesitating to speak and scatter the knowledge in this matter. So the topic is very sensitive and

delicate for our study, despite its delicacy, we garner courage to study and research in this issue

so that it will help us to make policy and plan in such related topics and it can be proved as a

turning point in the days to come in the study of premarital sexual relationship.

The population sample consisted of 50 males and 50 females students who were all studying in

undergraduate program of various wings in various colleges of Kathmandu valley. All of the

students were given the self-administered questionnaires prepared by the writers of this report.

The questionnaires contained both male and female premarital sexual standards

Objectives of the study

The main objective of the study is to know the concepts and attitudes of both male and female

students of Kathmandu towards premarital sexual relationship (PSR). Following are the specific

objectives of the study.

To compare the involvement of both male and female students in PSR

To find out which age group has high involvement in PSR

To know the possible causes for such relationship

To find out how mass media is supporting

To measure between both students who prefer love marriage, the most

To know their relations with partner after relationship

To trace out their concepts towards male and female virginity

To scrutinize that how much respondent watch porn video and read obscene literature

To find out how risky is their sexual behavior

To examine whose interest is high and low in such relationship

To dig out how much of the partner is commercial sexual worker

To determine whose sexual behavior is more risky

To find out how much male wants female virginity and vice versa

To know, possibility of getting involved in PSR who have maintained virginity at all

Need for the study

Nepal is a developing country which is still counted in the list of third world. It has the high

population growth rate and the per capita income is very low, who is almost like an obligatory

parasite and fully depends for its budget release on foreign grants and aids. This country is so

poor who survive on remittance and the condition of social science is too bad, which is not

accelerating, rather it is retarding. Premarital sexual relationship is considered to be social taboo

in Nepalese society, despite the taboo and the social stigma behind this it has been practiced.

Various news of violence and murder case regarding premarital sexual relationship is increasing

since last few years.

The purpose of the study is three fold: first, to examine the premarital sexual permissiveness

among the male and female students studying in Kathmandu valley; secondly to determine how

westernization and globalization is helping for the expansion of this culture; thirdly to know their

attitudes and perception in sexual and reproductive health and education.

The survey in 2006 AD showed that 39% of the survey respondents had reported that they had

premarital sexual relationship( Adhikari, 2006 AD). His survey was conducted among the male

college students. Since that, there is no any effective survey in our country in relation to

premarital sexual relationship. Analyzing this, the writers think this report based on survey

lunched by themselves may help in adding another brick in the study of premarital sexual

attitude and concepts among male and female students.

This study is of high essence because it can be the best platform for policy maker, educator and

scholars rather than denying the existence of changing premarital sexual relationship should

make every effort to understand the trend and to provide the youth with a broad and correct

foundation of information upon which to base their future decisions regarding premarital sexual

attitudes and behaviors.

Limitations of the study

The study is conducted with limited objective for the partial fulfillment of one component of

submitting assignment of anthropology of the university with time and budget limitation. The

study is only limited within the male and female students studying in Kathmandu valley. Since

the study is limited to particular college students of Kathmandu, the findings and conclusions

drawn this study may not be exactly generalized. As the study is done among 100 students who

were 50 male and 50 female students having average age19 years.

The sample for the study was randomly selected from the undergraduate students studying

various subjects under management wings. A chief concern of the study was the honesty of the

respondent towards the questionnaire. However, evidence indicates that questions regarding

sexual attitudes and behaviors are answered with relatively great interest by males than female

students.

None of the students were involved in such survey since last one years and only 3% of the male

students reported that the questionnaires has accurately assessed their sexual beliefs and

attitudes, but 92% of the female students did not answer whether their sexual beliefs and

attitudes has been accurately assessed by the questionnaires.

Recommendation and Conclusions

Fifth and last chapter deals with summary, recommendation and conclusions of the study. As the

problem of premarital sexual relationship is being increased due to various factors and it is being

developed as a great discourse hampering various structures of society. Academic education

from the very lower level and lots of workshops, training, seminar, conference and awareness

program from the grassroots level will help to minimize the degrees of the issues and accidents

of this culture.

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This chapter deals with the review of relating to premarital sexual attitudes and behaviors in

more detail and descriptive manner. For this study,, we consult various books, journals and

articles as well as few past reports were also reviewed. This study is based on different reports

and books for accurate study due to lack of sufficient materials related to premarital sexual

attitudes and concepts. The information of premarital sexual attitudes and behavior would be

clean and clear from the review of the following studies.

Truly speaking, in Nepal scientific research in the area of human sexual attitudes and behavior

hasn’t got high preference and still it can be the one best platform for study. Even in the context

of the world, there have been such study in sufficient attempts but not in satisfactory. Slowly and

gradually the trend to study is increasing in developed countries rather than in developing and

underdeveloped countries. The earliest research referred to by Kinsey (1948) in his

summarization of authentic sex research was published in 1915. Prior to that time most research

was primarily confined to anthropologists, journalists, physicians, psychiatrists, and

psychologists. Kraft-Ebing, Ellis and Freud wrote the most influential books in this area in the

half century from the decades of 1880 to 1930s. however, the few books that did comment on

sex usually made moral judgments regarding the increased acceptance of sex and added little to

increasing the scientific body of knowledge.

Lewis Terman, as long as 1938 found a growing tendency for couples to have sexual relationship

before marriage. He concluded that this trend against the accepted ideal standards had started as

early as 1890 (Terman, 1938). Burgess and Wallin in their study of 100 couples published in

1953 found that about one half of their engaged couples had sexual relationship with one another

before marriage (Burgess and Wallin, 1953). Kinsey’s study of male sexual behavior (Kinsey,

Pomeroy, Martin, 1953) both indicated a great deal of premarital sexual experience. Half of the

unmarried women in his sample had intercourse and 85% of the men had intercourse. His study

also pointed out the importance of social class and education as determinants of such behavior.

For example, only 20% of the college girls in his sample had sexual relations. A later study by

Kanin and Howard (Kanin and Howard, 1958) of wives of college students indicating some

change in attitudes on the part the college girl.

Research shows that premarital coitus is more common for males than females and for Negros

than for whites (Reiss, 1964). “Religiousness in several studies was found to be an inhibiting

influence on sexual permisssiveness (Kinsey et al., 1953, p. 304-307).” There is also evidence

that the consequences of coitus vary according to the standards on individual holds (Christensen

and Carpenter, 1960)

The first significant study of sex behavior was that of Kinsey , Pomeroy, Martin and Gebhard

who in1948 published the first volume of an extensive study of the sex habits of the American

male. Even these studies were, intensely censured by a vocal minority(Himelhock and

Fava,1955). This case is of America which is the most developed and leading country of the

world at recent times. But the condition of study in country is very poor, as there had been only

one study which seems scientific and systematic completed by Ramesh Adhikari, a lecturer of

Mahendra Ratna Campus, Tahachal Kathmandu.

The survey conducted by Adhikari in 2006 among the male college students in Kathmandu found

that despite the religious and cultural restrictions, about two-fifths of survey respondents (39%)

respondents reported that they have had premarital sexual relationship. The study has also shown

that substantial proportions of students indulge in sexual activities as well as risky sexual

behaviors. Sex with commercial sex workers, sex partners, and inconsistence use of condom with

non-regular partner was common among the male students. According to his survey, less than

two in five male students (57%) had used condoms at the first sexual relationship The prevalence

of premarital sex varied on different settings. Older students aged 20 and above were more likely

to have premarital sex compared with younger students aged 15–19. Men who had liberal

attitude towards male virginity at marriage were almost two times more likely to have engaged in

premarital sex compared to their counterparts who have conservative attitude towards male

virginity at marriage. Moreover, those students who believe in Hindu religion were more than

two times (OR = 2.5) more likely to have premarital sex compared with those who follow other

religions. Furthermore, those men who have close unmarried friends who have experienced

premarital sexual intercourse were eight times (OR = 8.4) more likely to be sexually active

compared to those who did not have such sexually active friends (Adhikari, 2006)

Another study of the young factory workers in Kathmandu revealed that 20% of unmarried boys

and 12% of unmarried girls aged 14–19 years were sexually experienced (penetrative sex).

Interestingly, the mean age for first sexual debut was the same for both the boys and the girls (15

years). Similarly a survey conducted among teenagers in seven districts of Nepal showed risky

sexual behavior especially among young boys. About 22% of the boys interviewed had

premarital sexual experience and only two thirds of them used condom. The number of boys who

had sex with multiple partners was also high.

Adhikari, 2006 concluded his study based on survey in this way,

Prevalence of premarital sexual intercourse and risky sexual behavior are not uncommon

in Nepal. Young people are exposed to health hazards due to their sexual behavior; hence

sex education should be provided. School or college based sexuality education could

benefit even out-of-school youths, because their partners often are students.

CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methodology refers to the various sequential steps to be adopted by a researcher in

studying a problem with certain objectives in view. It describes the method and process applied

in the entire subject of the study. It is the way to systematically about the research problem”1.

It

is the plan structure and strategy of investigations conceived to answer the research questions or

test research hypothesis. Research design is to control variance.”2 It includes different dependent

and independent variables, types of research design, research questions, hypothesis sample, data

collection activities, technique of analysis etc.

This chapter is divided into five sections. First section presents the research design of the study

while the second section deals with the nature of population and samples. Third consists of the

nature and sources of data. Fourth section reveals data collection and processing techniques, and

last section deals with data analysis tools.

3.1 Research Design

To be honest, actually it becomes very difficult to find out the data and information relating to

premarital sexual relationship. There hadn’t been any enough study in this sector, as only one

systematic survey was conducted in 2006 AD. The survey was conducted only among the male

college students. This study is based on the survey conducted among the male and female

students studying undergraduate program under management stream.

1 C.R. Kothari, “ Research Methodology and Techniques”. P. 39

2 H.K. Wolff and P.R. Pant “Social Science Research and Thesis Writing”.p-51

3.2 Population and Sample

The population of the study is the students studying undergraduate program in various college of

Kathmandu valley. We select the college randomly and we provide the self-administered

questionnaires only the students of 1st year undergraduate students. Hence 6 colleges of

Kathmandu is taken for study. And all the college which we take for our study is private college.

3.3 Sources of Data

The study is based both on primary and secondary source of data, as we ourselves visit various

colleges of Kathmandu for survey along with our sample questionnaires. We also consult various

articles and journals along with volumes of some international writers and scholars. Besides, we

also ask with our friends who are very close to us about premarital sex. Most of our friends

responded very frankly and voluntarily. And some information regarding the international affairs

is taken for study through internet.

3.4 Data Collection Procedure

Although, we collected data through primary source, we have consulted various secondary data

and high level of efforts and more time was paid to get the data. The first stage of sampling

included random selection of 6 private colleges in Kathmandu district. Since all the colleges

were co-educational, interested male and female students were asked to participate in the study.

But we interviewed only with those who are familiar to us, because of the sensitive and delicacy

of the topics of the study. So far, most of the persons hesitate to talk and speak on the topics of

sexual attitudes and behaviors. As 3 of the college of the valley dislike the subject of the study

and they ignore us. They don’t like to get their students to participate in this survey because of

the sensitive nature of the study. Analyzing such sensitive and personal opinions of people , a

self-administered questionnaire were given to interested students to express their opinion

regarding premarital sexual relationship.

As the survey is conducted among the private colleges so we prepared all the questionnaires in

English language. As only the interested students are requested to participate, so none of the

questionnaire returned with blank answer. As we rapped up before making students participate

in the study about the strict confidentiality of their attitudes and opinions considering premarital

sex. It is requested to participate in the survey with voluntarily and almost all the approached

students were interested to participate in the study. Confidentiality of information was ensured by

removing personal identifiers from the completed questionnaires. The names of sampled colleges

were not made public and thus not possible for anyone outside the research team to trace

reported incidents of sexual attitudes and behavior to respondents. Respondents were protected

from any possible adverse repercussions of participating in the study.

Due to the poor database, the data obtained from the various sources cannot be directly sued in

their original form. Further, they need to be verified and simplified for the purpose of analysis.

Hence, in this study, the available data, information, figures and facts were checked, rechecked,

edited and tabulated for computation, similarly according to need and predetermined objectives.

The secondary data are compiled, processed, tabulated and graphed, if necessary for the better

presentation.

Data analysis tools:

Some of statistical tools like mean and median were used to analyze the collected data.

Some short form used in study

PSR – Premarital Sexual Relationship STDs – Sexually Transmitted Disease

CSW – Commercial Sexual Worker HIV/AIDS – Human Immune Deficiency / Acquired

Immune Deficiency Syndrome

CHAPTER 4

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

Table No. 1 General information of all Respondents

Student Total No. Mean age Ktm in Ktm out Hindu NonHindu

Male 50 20.10 yrs 22 (44%) 28 (56%)

16 districts

47 (94%( 3 (7%)

Female 50 19.12 yrs 23 (46%) 27(18

districts)

54%

46 (92%) 4 (8%)

Total 100 19.78 yrs 45 55 93 7

We have assessed for 50 male and 50 female student in this survey in which 93% were hindu and

rest of them were non Hindu. The average age of 50 male student and 50 female students are

20.10 years and 19.12 years respectively. All the respondents were unmarried, studying

undergraduate program in commerce wings in Kathmandu Valley. The average age of all the

respondents is 19.78 years. It means this survey can be said, conducted among the teenagers of

studying in Kathmandu. Out of total students, 55 % were from outside the Kathmandu district

covering 34 districts.

Table No. 2 Respondents’ type of accommodation

Student With family W. friends Relatives Alone Total

Male 27 (54%) 14 (28%) 4 (8%) 5 (10%) 50 (100%)

Female 47 (94%) 3 (6%) *** *** 50 (100%)

Total 74 17 4 5 100 (100%)

*** means NIL

The table no. 2 shows that 74% of total respondents live with their family, 17% live with friends,

4% with relatives and 5% live alone in rented room. But 94% of the female students or

respondents live with their family which is about two times than male students. Its interesting to

say that none of the female student use to stay alone and relatives among whom we conducted

the survey.

Table No. 3 Respondents’ religion

Students Hindu Buddhist Christian Total

Male 47 (94%) 1 (2%) 2 (4%) 50 (100%)

Female 46 (92%) 2 (4%) 2 (4%) 50 (100%)

Total 93 (93%) 3 (3%) 4 (4%) 100 (100%)

93% of the total respondents were Hindu and only 4% of the respondents were Christian.

Whereas rest of the students or respondents were Buddhist as shown in the table No. 3. Among

the male 94% were following Hindu religion, and only 1% was Buddhist.

Table No.4 Respondents’ caste

Students Brahmin Chettry Newar Tamang Magar Total

Male 18 (36%) 13 (26%) 10 (20%) 5 (10%) 4 (8%) 50 (100%)

Female 8 (16%) 9 (18%) 21 (42%) 7 (14%) 5 (10%) 50 (100%)

Total 26 (26%) 22 (22%) 31 (31%) 12 (12%) 9 (9%) 100

(100%)

According to our survey, the data of caste of respondents are 26%, 22%, 31%, 12% and 9% are

Brahmin, Chettri, Newar, Tamang, and Magar respectively. But the highest caste in our survey is

Brahmin in both male and female students.

Table No. 5 Respondents’ present age

Students 17 yrs 18 yrs 19 yrs 20 yrs 21 yrs 22 yrs 25 yrs Total

Male *** 5

(10%)

14

(28%)

12

(24%)

9

(18%)

10

(20%)

*** 50

(100%)

Female 1

(2%)

6

(12%)

36

(72%)

5

(10%)

*** 1

(2%)

1

(2%)

50

(100%)

Total 1 11 50 17 9 11 1 100

Table No.6 Respondents’ preference towards love marriage and arrange marriage

Students Who prefer love

marriage

Who prefer arrange

marriage

Total students

Male 36 (72%) 14 (28%) 50 (100%)

Female 35 (70%) 15 (30%) 50 (100%)

Total 71 29 100 (100%)

As per table No. 6, 71% of the total respondents would prefer love marriage, whereas only 29%

would like arrange marriage, but the ratio of both male and female in their preference of love

marriage is not so big difference, only there is slight difference.

Table No. 7 Respondents’ view towards living together before marriage

Students Living together No living together Total students

Male 35 (70%) 15 (30%) 50 (100%)

Female 16 (32%) 34 (68%) 50 (100%)

Total 51 49 100 (100%)

This table shows that, 70% of the male respondents would like living together before marriage

while only 32% of female respondents prefer living together. It can be said that 51 % of the

respondents wish to like living together.

Table No. 7 Respondents’ married and unmarried close friends

Students Married friends Unmarried friends Total students

Male 7 (14%) 43 (86%) 50 (100%)

Female 3 (6%) 47 (94%) 50 (100%)

Total 10 90 100 (100%)

This table shows that only 10% of respondents have close friends, and the rest 90% of the

respondents have their close unmarried friends. But in compare to female student, 14% of male

students have close married friends which is two times higher than females.

Table No. 8 Respondent’s opinion towards male virginity

Students Yes No Not

compulsory

Total students

Male 16 (32%) 14 (28%) 20 (40%) 50 (100%)

Female 21 (42%) 6 (12%) 23 (46%) 50 (100%)

Total 37 20 43 100 (100%)

According to the survey, we found that 37% of the respondents reported that, male should be

virgin before marriage, but 40% and 46% of male and female students would like liberal male

virginity. Over and above 14 male out of 50 and 6 females out of 50 reported that they male

virginity should not be necessarily maintained before marriage.

Table No. 9 Respondents’ opinion towards female virginity

Students Yes No Not

compulsory

Total students

Male 21 (42%) 4 (8%) 25 (50%) 50 (100%)

Female 27 (54%) 6 (12%) 17 (34%) 50 (100%)

Total 48 10 42 100 (100%)

According to the survey, we found that 48% of the respondents reported that, female should be

virgin before marriage, but 50% and 34% of male and female students would like liberal male

virginity. Over and above, 4 male out of 50 and 6 females out of 50 reported that the female

virginity should not be necessarily maintained before marriage.

Table No. 10 How respondents watch porn video ?

Students Regularly Once a twice a Randomly Not Total

week week watched students

Male 10 (20%) 8 (16%) 6 (12%) 24 (48%) 2 (4%) 50 (100%)

Female 30 (60%) 6 (12%) 2 (4%) 7 (14%) 5 (10%) 50 (100%)

Total 40 14 8 31 7 100

This table shows that 40% of the respondents would like to watch porn video regularly but 7% of

them had not watched such a porn video at all. But 60% of the females watch such video

regularly whereas only 20% male watch in a regular way. This shows that more females watch

regularly than males.

Table No. 11 Possibility of sexual intercourse in living together before marriage

Student Very low Low High Very high Sure Total

Male 2 (4%) 4 (8%) 8 (16%) 24 (48%) 12 (24%) 50 (100%)

Female *** 3 (6%) 14 (28%) 19 (38%) 14 (28%) 50 (100%)

Total 2 7 22 43 26 100

It is reported by above table that only 26% of the respondents believed that sexual relationship is

sure in living together before marriage. but 43% of the respondents reported that the possibility

of sexual relationship is very high, only 2 % was in very low side.

Table no. 1 showing the statistics who involved in premarital sexual relationship (PSR)

Students Involve in PSR Percentage Total students

Male 21 42 % 50 (100%)

Female 7 14% 50 (100%)

Total 28 28% 100 (100%)

The table No. 1 shows that 28% of the respondents involve in premarital sexual relationship

whereas 42% male involve and 14% involve in such sexual intercourse. Out of 28 students 21

are male and 7 are female.

Table No. 2 Accommodation of the respondents who involved in PSR

Students Family relatives friends alone total

Male 12 (57.14%) 4 (19.05%) 2 (9.52%) 3 (14.29%) 21 (100%)

Female 6 (85.71%) 1 (14.29%) *** *** 7 (100%)

total 18 (64.29%) 5 (17,86%) 2 (7.14%) 3 (10.71%) 28 (100%)

Out of that 28 students who involve in premarital sexual relationship, it is found that10.71%

would live alone and 64.29% would live with their family. In the case of females, out of 7, 6

who involve in PSR is found to live with their families. Only 12 out of 21 is found to live with

their families. But out of 21 males who had premarital sex is found to live with the friends.

Table No. 3 Average age who involved in PSR and their religion

Students Average age Hindu Buddhist Christian Total

Male 20 yrs 15 (71.43%) 5 (23.81%) 1 (4.76%) 21 (100%)

Female 19.43 yrs 6 (85.71%) 1 (14.29%) *** 7 (100%)

Total 19.72 yrs 21 (75%) 6 (28.57%) 1 (3.57%) 28 (100%)

The average age of the respondents who had premarital sex is 19.72 years, but in case of male

and female, 20 years and 19.43 years are the mean age. Among them, 75% are hindu, 3.57% are

Christian and rest of them is Buddhist.

Table No. 4 Involved Respondents’ caste

Students Brahmin chettry Newar Tamang Magar Total

Male 4 (19.05%) 6 (28.57%) 6 (28.57%) 4 (19.05%) 1 (4.76%) 21 (100%)

Female 1 (14.29%) 2 (28.57%) 3 (42.86%) 1 (14.29%) *** 7 (100%)

Total 5 (17.86%) 8 (28.57%) 9 (32.14%) 5 (17.86%) 1 (3.57%) 28 (100%)

Among 28 students, who had premarital sexual intercourse, 5 of them are Brahmin which is

17.86% including 4 male out of 21 and 1 female out of 7 females. The no. of girls from Chettri is

higher in comparison to other but the case is just opposite in case of male students. But we don’t

find any female from community who had premarital sex out of total 5 magar female

respondents. It doesn’t mean that Magar female doesn’t have premarital sex.

Table No. 5 Showing the home district

Students Within Ktm Outside Ktm Total

Male 10 (47.62%) 11 (52.38%) 21 (100%)

Female 4 (57.14%) 3 (42.86%) 7 (100%)

Total 14 (50%) 14 (50%) 28 (100%)

Among the respondents who involved in PSR we found that 50% is from out of kathmnadu

districts and half is from Kathmandu districts. The percentage of female is higher from

Kathmandu districts which is 57.14% than male which is 47.62%. Similarly the male from

outside Kathmandu districts is higher than females.

Table No. 6 Age at 1st sexual intercourse ( premarital )

Students 14 to 17 yrs 18 to 21 yrs Total

Male 8 (38.10%) 13 (61.90%) 21 (100%)

Female 4 (57.14%) 3 (42.86%) 7 (100%)

Total 12 (42.86%) 16 (57.14%) 28 (100%)

From this table, we found that 57.14% of the respondent had their first sexual intercourse at the

age of 18 to 21 years and rest of the involvers’ age would be in between 14 to 17 years. 61.90%

of the male had their first sexual intercourse in between the age of 18 to 21 years, whereas,

57.14% of female was found to have sex within 14 to 17 years.

Table No. 7 Location at the first sexual intercourse

Students Hotel Own room Partner’s room Friend’sroom Total

Male 10 (47.62%) 8 (38.10%) 1 (4.76%) 2 (9.52%) 21 (100%)

Female 1 (14.29%) 1 (14.29%) 5 (71.43%) *** 7 (100%)

Total 11 (39.29%) 9 (32.14%) 6 (21.43%) 2(7.14%) 28 (100%)

This table shows that 39.29% of the respondent who involve in PSR was found to have sex in

hotels, whereas 7.14% of them used the room of their friends for their first sex relations. Out of

21 male involvers 10 used hotel, 8 used own room and only 1 used the partners room for sex. But

it is found that more female like partner room for sex.

Table No. 8 Involvers’ reason for sexual relationship

Students Self-desire Personal right Curiosity Pleasure Total

Male 12 (57.14%) 3 (14.29%) 1 (4.76%) 5 (23.81%) 21 (100%)

Female 4 (57.14%) *** 3 (42.86%) *** 7 (100%)

Total 16 (57.14%) 3 (10.71%) 4 (14.29%) 5 (17.86%) 28 (100%)

The table shows the ratio of both male and female reasons for sexual intercourse is due to self-

desire as 57.14% of both male and female answered self-desire was the reason for their sexual

intercourse. Only 5 out of 21 male involvers were found to have sex for pleasure. And only one

of the male involve in sex and 3 female out of 7 had the sex because of curiosity. But both 3

either of male or female consider to be their personal right as a reason for such sexual

relationship.

Table No. 9 Experience of Sexual intercourse while couples were in dating

Students Who experienced Percentage Total

Male 9 42.86% 21 (100%)

Female 3 42.86% 7 (100%)

Total 12 42.86% 28 (100%)

This table reveals that, out of 21 male respondents who involve in PSR, 9 of them i.e. 42.86%

had the experience of sexual intercourse while they were in dating with their girlfriends. On the

other hand, only 3 out of 7 girls or females had the same experience. To sum of 12 of the

involvers of PSR i.e. near 43 % was found to have sex in dating with their couples.

Table No. 10 With whom the Sexual relationship is kept

Students Girl friend Boyfriend Friend CSW Total

Male 13 (61.90%) *** 4 (19.05%) 4 (19.05%) 21 (100%)

Female *** 6 (85.17%) 1 (14.29%) *** 7 (100%)

Total 5 (17.86%) 28 (100%)

The table no. 10 explicitly shows that, more than 60 percentage of the male of the total male

involvers was found to have sex with girlfriends and about 20% of them had the sexual

relationship with commercial sexual worker (CSW). But none of the girls was found to have sex

with CSW. More than 85% of the girls reported that they had sex relations with their boyfriends.

Table No.11 Frequency of PSR till now within the involver

Students 1 time 2 times 3 times 5 & above Total

Male 3 (14.29%) 7 (33.33%) 5 (23.81%) 6 (28.57%) 21 (100%)

Female 2 (28.57%) 3 (42.86%) *** 2 (28.57%) 7 (100%)

Total 5 (17.86%) 35.71%) 5 (17.86%) 8 (28.57%) 28 (100%)

According to our survey, about 29 % of the involvers of PSR reported that they had such

relationship more than 5 times and about 18% of them had sex just for once so far. but about

35% of them said that they had sex for 2 times until now.

Table No. 12 Who proposed for at first PSR

Students Self Partner Total involver

Male 12 (57.14%) 9 (42.86%) 21 (100%)

Female 2 (28.57%) 5 (71.43%) 7 (100%)

Total 14 (50%) 14 (50%) 28 (100%)

It is found that, half of the involvers of PSR proposed themselves for the sex with their partners.

But in case of male only about 43% male reported that their partner had proposed for sex.

Whereas about 72% female reported that their partner proposed for sex. Only near 30% of

female said that they themselves proposed for sex.

Table No 13 Present feeling of respondent

Students Guilty Serious Not serious Total involved

Male 3 (14.29%) 2 (9.52%) 16 (76.19%) 21 (100%)

Female 2 (28.57%) 1 (14.29%) 4 ( 57.14%) 7 (100%)

Total 5 (17.86%) 3 (10.71%) 20 (71.43%) 28 (100%)

Depending upon our study, about 18% of the both respondents have felt guilty now, and nearly

11% of them are serious. But more than 70% feel normal now. In case of female more girls feel

guilty more feel serious than male now after having such sex relations.

Table No. 14 Use of contraceptives at first PSR

Students Use of contraceptive No use Total involved

Male 19 (90.48%) 2 (9.52%) 21 (100%)

Female 3 (42.86%) 4 (57.14%) 7 (100%)

Total 22 ( 78.57%) 6 (21.53%) 28 (100%)

This table shows that, about 21% of the involvers reported that they didn’t use any kinds of

contraceptives at their first PSR. In case of female more girls would have used any

contraceptives at their first attempts. But 90% of male reported that they had used condoms at

their 1st sexual relationship.

Table No. 15 In what condition the respondent involve in PSR ?

Students Consent To marry later pressure Total involved

Male 14 (66.67%) 5 (23.81%) 2 (9.52%) 21 (100%)

Female 3 (42.86%) 4 (57.14%) *** 7 (100%)

Total 17 (60.71%) 9 (32.14%) 2 (7.14%) 28 (100%)

This table shows that, out of 21 male 14 of them i.e. more than 65% reported that they have had

sex on the mutual understanding and only 2 of them involve due to pressure of their partners.

But to sum up, about 57% female involve in sex on the condition to marry later, which in

aggregate is about 32% in both male and female involvers.

Table No. 16 Respondents’ sexual relationship with married friends

Student Sex with married Sex with unmarried Total involved

Male 3 (14.29%) 18 (85.71%) 21 (100%)

Female 1 (14.29%) 6 (85.71%) 7 (100%)

Total 4 (14.29%) 24 (85.71%) 28 (100%)

The table no. 16 shows that in aggregate of both male and female students studying in

Kathmandu reported that about 15% had sexual intercourse with their married friends. In case of

male and female 3 out of 21 and 1 out of 7 respectively, i.e. about 15 % involved in relationship

with married friends.

Table No. 17 Present relationship with partner after sexual intercourse

Students Good Poor Strong Total involved

Male 13 (61.90%) 4 (19.05%) 4 (19.05%) 21 (100%)

Female 2 (28.57%) 3 (42.86%) 2 (28.57%) 7 (100%)

Total 15 (53.57%) 7 (25%) 6 (21.43%) 28 (100%)

In this survey, we found that in aggregate about 54% of the total involver had good relationship

with partners after such sexual relations. But 25% of the people revealed that they had poor

relations with partners after such sex relations. In case of female 3 out of 7 i.e. about 43

percentage had reported that they had poor relations with partners.

Table No. 18 How the involver perceive sex?

Student Good Essential Natural Total involved

Male 4 (19.05%) 5 (23.81%) 11 (52.38%) 21 (100%)

Female *** 2 (28.57%) 5 (71.43%) 7 (100%)

Total 4 (14.29%) 7 (25%) 16 (57.14%) 28 (100%)

Among the 28 involvers, about 58% perceive sex as natural. In case of male only 5 out of 21 i.e.

about 24% and in case of female about 28% perceive sex as essential. But none of female

respondents who involved in premarital sexual relationship considered sex to be good. As out

of 21 male, 4 of them reported that they perceive sex as good.

Table No. 19 What kind of cell phone do the involver use, now?

Student Simple Multimedia Total involved

Male 6 (28.57%) 15 (71.43%) 21 (100%)

Female 2 (28.57%) 5 (71.43%) 7 (100%)

Total 8 (28.57%) 20 (71.43%) 28 (100%)

In aggregate, more than 70% of the involver reported that they used the multimedia cell phone

in which can video can be easily watched. As we can see in table only 6 out of 21 males and 2

out of 7 females i.e. about 29% is found to have used simple phones. Simple phones here in the

study means which has no any application and only can be used for receiving and providing sms

and call.

Table No. 20 Table showing various opinions and attitudes of that respondent

Student Love

marriage

Arrange

marriage

Total Living

together

Total

Male 17 (80.95%) 4 (19.05%) 21 (100%) 15 (71.43%) 21 (100%)

Female 6(85.71%) 1(14.29%) 7 (100%) 4 (57.14%) 7 (100%)

Total 23 (82.14%) 5 (17.86%) 28 (100%) 19 (67.86%) 28 (100%)

This table shows the views and opinions of the respondents who involve in premarital sex

relations. Among 28 of such respondents, 23 i.e. about 83% prefer love marriage to arrange

marriage. and more than 67% prefer living together. But more female prefer love marriage than

that of male respondents. And more male like to prefer living together than that of females.

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The purpose of the study is to examine the concepts and attitudes of premarital sexual

relationship among the male and female students studying in Kathmandu district in June 2012.

Radom sampling is taken out from six private colleges of Kathmandu district. All the students

were studying undergraduate program of commerce stream under the TU affiliated colleges. A

secondary aim of the study is to compare between the male and female students to determine

the degree of equalitarianism male and females showed regarding sexual activities.

Nepal, which is a developing country here even the population growth is high, and peoples’ per

capita income is very low. Still we don’t have expected control on population growth which

alternately and ultimately has disturbed the growth and development of country from every

angles, either social, political, economics, academic and so on. Even it is poor in social science

like sociology and anthropology where no more study and research have been conducted and

lunched. So far premarital sexual relationship is considered to be a social taboo. The news or

incidents of such relationship would brought the concept of social stigma in our society. Due to

social restrictions, disclosure of premarital sexual activities is rare; however, few studies that

have been conducted in Nepal indicate a growing trend towards premarital sexual activities

among adolescents.

According to our study, 28% of the students studying undergraduate program in Kathmandu

involve in premarital sexual relationship. Among them 42% were male students and 14% were

female students. As we found that, out of 50 male and 50 female students 21 and 7 male and

female reported that they have had premarital sexual relationship. And the average age of the

involvers is 20 years for male and 19.43 years for female. In aggregate the average age of both

male and female students is 19.72 years. Most of them use to live with the family, only about

11% who have had premarital sex have been in Kathmandu for alone in a rented room. Besides,

75% of them are Hindus and only about 4 % belongs to Christian. We found that about most of

them are of Newar and Chettri caste i.e. about 28%. And rest of them are Brahmin, , Tamang

and Magar having percentage of 21.43%, 14.29% and 7.14% respectively.

More than 75% of total respondents strongly agree that kissing is acceptable for the both male

and female before marriage when he/she is in love. Similarly, more than 80% of the total

respondents who have had premarital sex reported that they use to watch porn video twice a

week. About 42% of premarital sex is happened in between the age of 14 to 17 years. And

21.43% of the sex occurred in partner’s room whereas about 40% of them is happened inside

the hotel. Most of the female i.e. more than 85% have had sex with their boyfriends and out of

21 male 4 of them have had sexual intercourse with commercial sexual worker. The frequency

of sex is same in both male and female, as about 29% of them have involved in such so called

sex more than 5 times. But 21.53% of them have not used any kinds of contraceptives at their

first sexual intercourse. And even 2% of them knows only at least one cause how HIV/AIDS

and STDs transmits. Most of them i.e. 60.71% of them involve in sex in the condition of consent,

and 32.14% of them involve in a condition to marry later. Both of them are equal and

equivalent in having sex relations with married friends, as 14.29% of them have had sex with

married friends.

The present study also supported this finding as students who have liberal attitudes toward

premarital sex were more likely to engage in premarital sex. However, some of the students who

had conservative attitude had also engaged in premarital sex. One of possible reason for this

finding could be peer pressure. But even though they are living with family, the increasing trend

in such sex shows that something is wrong within the family regarding joy, pleasure, raptures

and rejoice of happiness in their personal and family lives.

In short, we would like to summarize that findings from our study shows that the sexual

relationship is very risky as more than 40% of the 1st sex is performed from the age of 14 to 17.

In that age the sex organs are not fully developed and matured, along with this, most of them

do not use any sorts of contraceptives. This study not only provides empirical evidence on the

importance of individual characteristics, familial role and peer factors on premarital sexual

behavior of male and female students studying in Kathmandu but also draws attention to the

prevalence of premarital sexual behavior among young, college-going youths. This study seeks

to fill the gap in knowledge by providing descriptive findings on premarital sex among college

male and female students and to garner interest from policy-makers to develop appropriate

reproductive health programs to reduce negative impact of such concepts and behavior. Our

findings suggest that it is necessary to reinforce reproductive and sexual health education among

college students and provide them with convenient and optional services that are easily

accessible.

There is a need to provide comprehensive education on sexual transmitted diseases issues such as

safer sex and HIV/AIDS in order to make responsible and healthy decisions to protect them from

situations and behaviors that would place them at risk of HIV transmission. As the more male

students have been involved in Premarital Sex, they need to be provided a lots of sex education

and about its haphazard to make their perception towards sex ubiquitous. This may help to

change their attitudes and behaviors to do something new and few for noble cause in case of

reducing such problems of sex. Over and above, from every individual level should feel the

responsibility to carry their virginity pure until the marriage. this may enhance to reduce such

problems to some extent, among the teenagers not only in Kathmandu but also all over the

country.

It is further recommended that a qualitative research should be conducted so that we can design

appropriate intervention that address the problems and needs of the youths by involving the

teenagers and youths.

It is recommended that our study probably incorporate a greater number of variables which could

be analyzed to determine students’ concepts and attitudes on such topics celibate sexuality,

contraceptive use and so on.

Secondly the population sample could be enlarged, but also restricted to only those students

between the ages of 17 to 25 who are neither engaged nor married. This would allow the

investigator to make more specific interpretations regarding this results.

Thirdly, a revived questioners could be developed to measure more specific aspects of premarital

sex and sexual behavior like, masturbation, kissing etc.

REFRENCES

Burgess, E.W., & Wallin, P. Engagement and Marriage. New York: J.B. Lippinicott

Company, 1953

Christense , H. T., & Carpenter, G.R . “Value- Behaviour Discrepancies Regarding

Premarital Coitus,” American Sociological Review, 27 February 1960

Kanin, E.A,, & Howard, D.H. “Post marital Consequences of Premarital Sex Adjustments,”

Premarital Sex Adjustments,” American School Review, 23 October 1958

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