One of the common myths about teens and sex (it appears to be “Teen Week” here at World of Psychology!) is that teens nowadays are trying to hold on to their virginity by engaging only in oral sex as opposed to full intercourse. New research largely debunks this myth.
The study, published in the July issue of Journal of Adolescent Health, looked at 2,200 teens ages 15 through 19 and found that teens become sexually active with both oral sex and intercourse largely at the same time. Just under half reported having full intercourse when survey, and just over half reported having had oral sex.
Those who identified themselves as virgins were far less likely to say that they had tried oral sex than those who admitted to having had full intercourse.
Within 6 months of having their first intercourse, four out of five adolescents also reported having had oral sex.
This is not as surprising a finding when you think about it. Teen sexuality is often a gradual ramp-up to full intercourse. It is unlikely a teen would simply stop the sexual progression and be satisfied at oral sex without exploring the next natural step.
Teenage sexuality is a normal, healthy expression and exploration of sexual feelings. But people should also consider the consequences of their sexual choices and practice safe sex even as a teen. Because sexual diseases and pregnancy can happen to anyone — even kids.
Read the full article: A Debunking on Teenagers and ‘Technical Virginity’
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2 Responses to “Teens and Oral Sex” (Pingbacks/trackbacks not shown below)
Kim at 2:25 pm on
May 21st, 2008
I do not at all agree that teens having sex is “normal and healthy”. Have you lost your mind? No one should have sex until they are ready to be a parent (pregnancy often occurs even with the use birth control), and handle the physical, emotional, and spritual consequences of having sex. Teens just aren’t ready for this nor are they mature enough to use birth control responsibly and protect themselves from STD’s. Having sexual feelings is normal for teens, acting on them is foolhardy.
Jeff at 4:48 pm on
June 26th, 2008
We have to ask ourselves why teens are not able to handle the different consequences of having sex. Teens are physically able to reproduce on average between 12-14 years of age depending on gender and individual development. I believe that nature designed us this way for a reason. If teens are not mentally mature enough to handle sex it is only due to societal conditioning and forced morality. In many times and cultures teenage girls regularly gave birth to children and were entirely capable of raising and taking care of them.
I would argue that you raise children in a controlled environment and you could make them excellent parents at whatever age they become physically able to reproduce.
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I do not at all agree that teens having sex is “normal and healthy”. Have you lost your mind? No one should have sex until they are ready to be a parent (pregnancy often occurs even with the use birth control), and handle the physical, emotional, and spritual consequences of having sex. Teens just aren’t ready for this nor are they mature enough to use birth control responsibly and protect themselves from STD’s. Having sexual feelings is normal for teens, acting on them is foolhardy.
We have to ask ourselves why teens are not able to handle the different consequences of having sex. Teens are physically able to reproduce on average between 12-14 years of age depending on gender and individual development. I believe that nature designed us this way for a reason. If teens are not mentally mature enough to handle sex it is only due to societal conditioning and forced morality. In many times and cultures teenage girls regularly gave birth to children and were entirely capable of raising and taking care of them.
I would argue that you raise children in a controlled environment and you could make them excellent parents at whatever age they become physically able to reproduce.
