The Power of No: Concept of Pagtanggi to Sexual Invitations among Filipino Youth in Metro Manila

Abstract

Filipino youth who engage in sexual activities often experience unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, according to 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey. This often is the effect of not having enough knowledge in engaging in sexual activities. Also, in the Philippine context, saying “no” or refusing to certain favors finds it difficult to do so. This study aimed to determine how the Filipino youth respond to sexual invitations from their romantic partners. Three hundred and eighty six Filipino youth aged 18 to 25 years, residing in Metro Manila and who have been engaged in a romantic relationship were asked about the history of their romantic relationships, attitudes toward sexual invitations as well as their experiences. With a sequential mixed methods design, two case studies were also presented. Results showed that the attitude of the youth towards the sexual activities was leading to positive perspective. More than half of the population believed that they have the right to engage in sexual activities, given the following conditions: it is consensual, one should not be forced to do so, and both have their right to their own bodies. Most of the participants who said yes immediately to sexual invitation (n=197) reasoned that they love their partners (76.65 %) Out of 53 participants who firmly stand in saying no, 24.53 percent said that they were afraid to get pregnant or impregnate their partner. The stigma experienced by those who engaged in sexual activities before marriage was associated with one’s self-respect. Further studies are still needed in order to understand the present generation’s take on sex, and how the intensity of one’s love to a romantic partner can greatly affect an individual’s decisions.