You've probably heard that social media and pornography influence how adolescents understand and experience their sexuality. But have you stopped to think about how they truly construct their sexual or emotional desire and attraction, or how sexuality and love should be lived?
In a recent study, researchers from the Social Problems Psychology Research Group at the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (University of Granada), in collaboration with a project from the Department of Sociology at the University of Granada, explored this question. They interviewed adolescents and young people from Andalusia, Spain, aged 13 to 20. The goal was to understand how sexuality is constructed in adolescence, in a world where patriarchy, romance culture, pornography, and violence are still very present. The results, published in the journal Sexuality & Culture, not only reveal concerning inequalities but also suggest possible paths for change.
Boys and Girls Experience Sexuality Differently
The first conclusion is clear: boys and girls experience sexuality very differently. While boys tend to focus on physical pleasure, masturbation, and pornography consumption, girls show greater interest in affection, bonding, love, and care in relationships. This difference is no accident; it stems from unequal socialization marked by gender mandates, where boys are taught to "conquer" and prioritize their own pleasure, and girls are taught to "give" or "care."
Regarding pornography, we also found marked gender differences. Boys tend to start consuming porn at earlier ages and use it as their primary source of sexual learning. This consumption is strongly linked to an idea of masculinity based on control, lack of empathy, and individual pleasure.
Girls, conversely, show a more distant and ambivalent relationship with pornography. Although some consume it, they do so less frequently and with a greater critical spirit. Many express discomfort or rejection of the content, believing it objectifies women, presents practices that don't align with their desires or experiences, and demands certain physical practices and stereotypes from them. Some girls, however, also acknowledge that porn has helped them explore their sexuality or accept their bodies.
Together, these differences reflect how gender mandates and inequality continue to shape how adolescents approach sex and desire, and how the lack of comprehensive sex education allows porn to fill that void.
Another concerning finding of the study is the naturalization of controlling and violent behaviors in romantic relationships. This ranges from checking phones to deciding if the other person can go out with friends or pursue a specific career. We also found that in many cases, these behaviors, far from being seen as violence, are interpreted as signs of love or care. This confusion between love and control is particularly pronounced in contexts where there is limited education on equality or healthy relationships.
However, it's not all bad news. The study also shows signs of change. Some girls assert their right to decide about their bodies and demand that boys be more tolerant of sexual and gender diversity. For their part, some boys are beginning to question traditional masculinity models, valuing consent and empathy more. As they gain experience and autonomy, some adolescents show more egalitarian attitudes.
Sex Education Is Urgent
So, what can we learn from this? It's not enough to offer young people information about contraception or sexually transmitted diseases. We need comprehensive, critical, and gender-sensitive sex education. This education should teach them to detect gender-based violence in their environment and relationships, to question sexual stereotypes present in pornography, and to build bonds based on respect, communication, and freedom.
This study also reminds us that sexuality is not just biological or intimate; it's profoundly social. The way we discuss desire, the body, or love is shaped by cultural beliefs, social expectations, and gender inequalities.
The results of this work, although focused on a specific context in Andalusia, invite reflection on what remains to be done. Committing to including sex education as a "mandatory subject" is an unresolved issue for our government policies. Promoting critical and transformative sex education is not only necessary, but also urgent.
Reference
Navarro-Mantas, L, & Sáez-Lumbreras, A. (2025). Sexuality Construction, Pornography, and Gender Violence: A Qualitative Study with Spanish Adolescents. Sexuality & Culture. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-025-10326-3
Study Funded By
I+D+I FEDER from the European Regional Development Fund of Andalusia (B-SEJ-332-UGR20) and the María de Maeztu Units of Excellence Program, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and the Ministry of Universities through the State Research Agency (Ref. CEX2023-001312-M / funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and grant UCE-PP2023-11 funded by the University of Granada).