Thursday, July 7 2005 15:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Young people in cities are moving away from traditional mindset on sex, physical relationship and virginity with a majority in Delhi having a "no problem" attitude towards pre-marital sex, a new research has claimed.

The research, "Quote... ...Unquote", carried out among school going young people in the age group of 12-19 in the cities of Delhi and Bhopal, found that pre-marital sexual relationship is more acceptable and considered less stigmatised among young from Delhi as compared to Bhopal.

"Majority of the respondents from Delhi expressed a 'no problem' attitude towards pre-marital sexual behaviour," the research carried out by a group of young people from the two cities under the guidance of experts, said.

A total of 98 adolescents - 37 female and 61 males - from Bhopal, and 241 from Delhi - 121 females and 120 males, participated in the study. The report would be presented to Planning Commission tomorrow (July 8, 2005), Deepak Gupta, International Development Consultant, who guided the research, said.

"Only 46 per cent female and 36 per cent males from Delhi reported that they would wait until marriage for sexual relationship," it said adding in comparison 67 per cent females and 74 per cent males from Bhopal reported their plans to abstain from sex until marriage.

Over half of Delhi's boys approved of sexual contact between unmarried lovers. However, only 27 per cent boys from Bhopal approved of such a behaviour, according to the report.

Only 37 per cent of boys in Delhi opined that girls should remain virgin until they marry. Similarly only 44 per cent girls believed so for boys.