College freshmen, despite their reputation for sexual experimentation, actually have less sex than people of the same age who are not in college, according to a 2007 study by the University of Washington.
The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, examined the associations between college and casual sex, inconsistent condom use and high-risk sex.
Contrary to expectations, results indicated a higher number of sexual-risk behaviors among non-college youth. The study largely attributed this to patterns of higher risk behavior and lower academic performance during high school.
"It is assumed that people in college normally have more of a goal-oriented mind, so they are less likely to just sleep around and more likely to date with long term intentions," Ramapo College freshman Katherine Fajardo said.
Where a student lives also affects sexual activity. A June 2005 Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology article suggested residential factors, such as whether a student lives in a dormitory, fraternity house or sorority house also influence college students' sexual behavior, as does an individual's sexual activity in high school.
College of Communication sophomore Cydney Gottlieb said she thinks college freshmen just do not have as much time for sex.
"Freshman year is a big adjustment period with sorting school, friends and clubs," she said.
Kevin Flores, 20, does not attend college and said people who do not go to school have more opportunities for sex because they likely have more opportunities to live with their partner.
Evey Fabian, 20, also said that living on her own makes it easier to bring potential partners home at night.
"You [don't] have to worry about whether your roommate would mind having someone over," she said.
Though Student Health Services Director David McBride said Boston University does not track the sexual activity of the student population, he said in an email that the study's findings make sense.
"They echo an overlying concept in higher education, students who are engaged (whether it be in the educational system as a whole, or at their institution of higher learning) tend to be more successful and often more risk averse," McBride said.
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