Nbadan
09-16-2005, 01:26 PM
Study Looks at Teen Sex Levels
By Laura Sessions Stepp
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 15, 2005; 10:54 AM
Slightly more than half of American teenagers, ages 15 to 19, have engaged in oral sex, with females and males reporting similar levels of experience, according to the most comprehensive national survey of sexual behaviors ever released by the federal government. The report today by the National Center for Health Statistics shows that the figure increases to about 70 percent of 18- and 19-year-olds.
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"This is a point of major social transition," James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, a reproductive health organization, said yesterday. "The data are now coming out and roiling the idea that boys are the hunters and young girls are the prey. It absolutely defies the stereotype."
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The newly released data, gathered in 2002, are sure to stir debate over abstinence-only sex education. Supporters of such programs say they have resulted in young people delaying intercourse, but opponents say they simply have led young people to substitute other risky behaviors, especially fellatio and cunnilingus. The new data tend to support the latter view, showing that nearly one in four virgin teens has engaged in oral sex.
Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/15/AR2005091500915.html)
I've heard that some religious kids are engaging in oral and anal sex as a way of "saving" themselves for marriage. They figure they can do that and still technically be virgins.
Statisticians shouldn't worry though, after these teens are married the 70% number tends to swing the other way.
By Laura Sessions Stepp
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 15, 2005; 10:54 AM
Slightly more than half of American teenagers, ages 15 to 19, have engaged in oral sex, with females and males reporting similar levels of experience, according to the most comprehensive national survey of sexual behaviors ever released by the federal government. The report today by the National Center for Health Statistics shows that the figure increases to about 70 percent of 18- and 19-year-olds.
-----
"This is a point of major social transition," James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, a reproductive health organization, said yesterday. "The data are now coming out and roiling the idea that boys are the hunters and young girls are the prey. It absolutely defies the stereotype."
----
The newly released data, gathered in 2002, are sure to stir debate over abstinence-only sex education. Supporters of such programs say they have resulted in young people delaying intercourse, but opponents say they simply have led young people to substitute other risky behaviors, especially fellatio and cunnilingus. The new data tend to support the latter view, showing that nearly one in four virgin teens has engaged in oral sex.
Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/15/AR2005091500915.html)
I've heard that some religious kids are engaging in oral and anal sex as a way of "saving" themselves for marriage. They figure they can do that and still technically be virgins.
Statisticians shouldn't worry though, after these teens are married the 70% number tends to swing the other way.