The sexual knowledge of the 'normal' and mildly subnormal adolescent

Abstract

A COMPARATIVE study of the sexual knowledge of over five hundred mildly subnormal (ESN(M)) and normal adoles cents was undertaken using the same tool of measurement. The vast majority of mildly subnor mal adolescents were found to have extensive gaps in their knowledge of sexual matters. Significantly large proportions of these pupils exhibited total ignorance of contraception, menstruation, venereal disease, abortion and homosexuality, whilst paradoxically displaying widespread knowledge of sexual intercourse. By comparison, small proportions of normal adolescents were found to have gaps in their knowledge of sex ual matters, with the exception of contraceptive methods. Simi lar proportions of both the nor mal and subnormal groups knew little about the methods current ly available.

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