Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice
Published on: March 5, 2020
Role versatility among men who have sex with men in urban Peru
Steven M Goodreau1, Jesus Peinado, Pedro Goicochea
1Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, Lima, Peru.
Abstract:
Role versatility refers to the practice in which individual men who have sex with men (MSM) play both insertive and receptive sexual roles over time. Versatility has been thought to be relatively uncommon among Latin American MSM but possibly rising. Versatility has also been shown to be a potentially large population-level risk factor for HIV infection. In this study we examine the correlates of versatile behavior and identity among 2,655 MSM in six Peruvian cities. Versatile behavior with recent male partners was found in 9% of men and versatile ("moderno") identity was reported by 16%. Significant predictors included high education, white-collar occupation, sex work, and residence in Lima. Age was not significant in any analysis. Since sex work is negatively correlated with other predictors, versatile men appear to comprise two distinct sub-populations. Insertive-only men appear to play a strong role in bridging the HIV epidemic between MSM and women.
Related Concept Videos
Amebiasis
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Male Sexual Response: Erection & Ejaculation
The blood filling the erectile tissues compresses the veins, which helps to prevent blood from leaving...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Relationship Formation
Mate Choice
