New York Times (12.21.2004) - Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Researcher Dr. Kimberly P. Brackett asked some 250 students at the University of Florida to purchase condoms and then write a paper about their experience. Brackett, who now teaches sociology at Auburn University Montgomery, told the students who declined to purchase condoms to discuss their decision.

Initially, seven students did not take part in the study for religious reasons. Later, an additional 25 were dropped from the study when they reported they had been unable to make the purchase. Among them, the study said, was a young women who cited "too much embarrassment."

Embarrassment was prevalent among the remaining 78 men and 176 women; many reported this was the first time they had purchased condoms. While the men reported less embarrassment than the women, the study found that both groups often used like strategies when making their purchase. For example, almost one-fifth said they sought out a clerk of the same sex. Both men and women reported trying to conceal the condoms or buying additional items to distract attention.

Men and women alike said they scanned the store for other customers while purchasing the condoms; women were more likely to wait for other customers to leave. The women were also more likely to bring friends along for support. "Some women told the clerk at the time of purchase that it was for an assignment," the study noted, "so the clerk wouldn't get the 'wrong idea.'"

Those students who were the least embarrassed about buying condoms spoke of it as "the responsible thing to do" - an idea the study suggested should be emphasized.

The full report, "College Students' Condom Purchase Strategies," was published in Social Science Journal (2004;41(3):459-464).
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