Research suggests we are more relaxed generally in our attitude towards sex. The authors of the latest study, Richard Layte and Hannah McGee, explain the findings
Sex and sexuality are core dimensions of the human experience and are important contributors to our general wellbeing. In Ireland, sex is a topic much speculated about and eloquently written about by many of our literary giants. We have, however, been remarkably, if not unsurprisingly, short on solid evidence about matters sexual on which to design services and education.
The Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships was designed to remedy this. The first requirement was a good evidence base: the project interviewed a representative sample of 7,441 adults aged 18-64 years about a range of sexual health issues. So - are we changing? Are we different? Is change for the better or worse?
One important sign of change is that the study itself was carried out: it was funded by the Government and its agencies - the Department of Health and Children and the Crisis Pregnancy Agency - and there was a good response by those invited to take part. It is not clear that this could have been achieved 10 years ago, even if funding was secured from independent means.
This is just one sign that Irish sexual attitudes have become more "liberal" over time and more can be found in the results of the survey.
For example, whereas in 1975, 71 per cent of Irish people interviewed thought that sex before marriage was "always wrong", this had fallen to just 6 per cent by 2005.
Similarly, we have become more accepting of homosexual relationships. Those believing that same- sex relationships are "always wrong" are now less than a quarter of the population, falling to 13 per cent among those aged 18 to 24.
Attitudes are changing then, but Irish people are moving from a strongly conservative place, with sexual attitudes still among the most conservative in western Europe.
The increasing provision of sex education in Ireland, at homes and in schools, is another sign of changing sexual attitudes. Parents are more at ease with the subject than in the past, but still only a small minority of the youngest age group report sex education from parents.
Perhaps most tellingly, public support for sex education was very high - more than 90 per cent felt that all five aspects queried (biological aspects, sexual feelings, contraception, safe sex and sexually transmitted infections, and homosexuality) should be part of a programme of sex education for young people.
Overall then, it would be fair to say that social change around sexual issues in Ireland has been positive in many respects. Society is more open about the subject and individuals know a great deal more about satisfying their own and their partners needs in a safe environment.
Without these safeguards however, sex does have its downsides. For example, the incidence of sexually transmitted infections here has increased by 243 per cent since 1998 which may, in part, be due to better detection, but it may also be related to the fact that condoms are often absent or used inappropriately.
The study found that almost a third of individuals who had only just met their partner did not use a condom on the last occasion of sex. This seems in part to be due to misplaced trust, but lack of planning and high levels of alcohol before sex may also be a factor.
Changing sexual attitudes are just one reason why the average age at which people begin having sex has fallen over time. The median age for first vaginal sex is 17, which has fallen by five years for men and six for women over the past four decades.
The good news is that overall, young people are now more likely to use contraception and protection the first time, but earlier sex is also strongly associated with a lower likelihood of using contraception and later feelings of regret.
Social inequalities in sexual health also emerged from the study as a concern. It is well known that general health varies by income and class and these inequalities are replicated in sexual health. Such inequalities have their genesis early in life.
Less sex education is associated with a greater reticence among parents to give sex education and this may be affecting levels of sexual knowledge. Young people who leave school before senior cycle enter an adult world and part of this is a greater likelihood of sex. The concern is though that these young people are not actually ready to begin having sex and this is reflected in lower levels of protection and poorer outcomes, both on that first occasion and later in life.
Dealing with the issue is both complex and simple. Simple in that it seems that cheaper or free contraception and protection would make a difference, complex in that only by changing will the opportunities open to these young.
Dr Richard Layte and Prof Hannah McGee were the principal investigators of The Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships. Dr Layte is a sociologist at the Economic and Social Research Institute and Prof McGee is the director of the Health Services Research Centre at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.