The Irish study of sexual health and relationships sub-report 1 learning about sex and first sexual experiences

Sex and sexuality (see glossary for definitions) has been a relatively taboo subject until
\nrecent decades in Ireland, as elsewhere. Perspectives on sex and sexuality in Ireland were
\ntraditionally shaped to a large extent by the teachings of the Catholic Church. Sexual intercourse
\nwas seen as appropriate only in the context of marriage, with the primary purpose of procreation.2
\nThroughout the 1960s and 1970s, a number of factors, including the wider availability of
\npopular media, brought about greater liberalism and increased discussion about sex in Ireland. As
\nwell, greater mobility, mainly of Irish people travelling abroad from the early 1980s, introduced a
\nwhole generation to new perspectives on sexual norms. Church attendance fell over this time and
\nthere was an increasing public challenge to the Catholic Church’s stance on issues such as access
\nto contraception. These factors contributed to the development of significant legislative changes
\nin the area of sexual health in the late 20th century. They resulted in increased availability of
\ncontraception, legalisation of divorce, decriminalisation of homosexuality and right to information
\non abortion.3 At the same time, education generally and sex education in particular have
\nincreasingly become the responsibility of the State. Irish society has seen a process of increasingly
\nliberal social norms.3 Evidence of this shift includes the separation of sex from a purely procreative
\nfunction and the view that sex is no longer exclusively associated with marriage.
\nThe investigation of sexual health and behaviour requires consideration of the range of
\nfactors that can influence them. As well as individual factors, external or structural factors (social,
\neconomic and environmental) can determine aspects of health and behaviour. The Department of
\nHealth and Children’s (2000) National Health Strategy states in its objectives that “the
\nachievement of health and well-being is not the responsibility of the individual alone”.4 A further
\nobjective aims to provide support to disadvantaged groups so that everyone has the same
\nopportunity to attain good health. These objectives highlight the role that external influences can
\nplay in determining health, and make clear that it is unlikely that individuals will be able to directly
\ncontrol external determinants of health.

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