Objectives
To explore young men's perceived experience of coercive pregnancy behaviors by female partners, and engagement in and behavioral overlap of these occurrences in this sample.
Study design
Heterosexually active young men aged 15-24 (n=39), recruited from three primary care and two sexually transmitted disease clinics in Baltimore, MD city over a two-week period, were surveyed on their perceived experience of and engagement in coercive pregnancy behaviors, attitudes about women, and background characteristics.
Results
Of 130 invited, sixty-six (51%) agreed to participate, 39 of whom were heterosexual young men; 87% were non-Hispanic Black and 59% were aged 20-24. Eleven (28%) perceived one or more coercive pregnancy behaviors by a partner and nine (23%) engaged in one or more coercive behavior. Most (58%) agreed women are responsible for birth control decisions, but 55% believed women could not be trusted to tell the truth about contraceptive use and 68% believe women would like to get pregnant.
Conclusions
Over one-third of young men perceived experience of coercive pregnancy behaviors by partners and/or engaged in these behaviors. Findings have implications for promoting healthy relationships among young people.