Gay and Bisexual Adolescent Boys' Sexual Experiences
With Men:
An Empirical Examination of Psychological Correlates in a Nonclinical Sample
Bruce Rind, PhD
Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19122.
In: Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol. 30, No.4, 2001
Abstract
Introduction
Background: Research on Gay and Bisexual Boy-Man Sex
Current Study
Method
Overview
Subjects
Sample 2
Sample 2
ADSR-Identified Sample
Measures and Procedure
Results
Psychological Adjustment
Table I
Self-Esteem and Age of Attainment of Positive Sexual Identity as a Function of
Having Experienced ADSR
The ADSR Experiences
Characteristics
Reactions
Consent
Correlations
Table II
Correlations Among ADSR Characteristics
Discussion
Psychological Adjustment
Sexual Identity Development
Reactions and Consent
The Incest Model: A Procrustean Bed
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Appendix
Narratives of 26 Cases of Sexual Relations Between Gay/Bisexual Adolescent
Boys and Men
References
Over the last quarter century the incest model, with its image
of helpless victims exploited and traumatized by powerful perpetrators, has come
to dominate perceptions of virtually all forms of adult-minor sex. Thus, even
willing sexual relations between gay or bisexual adolescent boys and adult men,
which differ from father-daughter incest in many important ways, are generally
seen by the lay public and professionals as traumatizing and psychologically
injurious. This study assessed this common perception by examining a nonclinical, mostly college sample of gay and bisexual men.
Of the 129 men in the study, 26 were identified as having had age-discrepant
sexual relations (ADSRs) as adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age with
adult males. Men with ADSR experiences were as well adjusted as controls in
terms of self-esteem and having achieved a positive sexual identity.
Reactions to the ADSRs were predominantly positive, and
most ADSRs were willingly engaged in. Younger adolescents were just as willing
and reacted at least as positively as older adolescents.
Data on sexual identity development indicated that ADSRs
played no role in creating same-sex sexual interests, contrary to the
"seduction" hypothesis. Findings were inconsistent with the incest
model. The incest model has come to act as a procrustean bed, narrowly dictating
how adult-minor sexual relations quite different from incest are perceived.
KEY WORDS: gay and bisexual boys; man-boy sex; incest model;
psychological correlates; homosexual development.