Oral Sex

Many studies have been conducted on adolescent oral sex. This section contains information on the prevalence of adolescent oral sex, teen’s attitudes toward oral sex, and teen’s knowledge of the risks associated with oral sex.

Many Young Teenagers Consider Oral Sex More Acceptable and Less Risky than Vaginal Intercourse

Source: T. Hoff, et al, National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences, (Menlo Park, CA: Henry Kaiser Family Foundation, 2003), 14.

Description: This report contains the findings of a study to determine adolescent’s attitudes about oral sex as compared to vaginal intercourse. The study was conducted with ninth grade students in California public schools.

Key Statistics:

The teenagers believed that if they engaged in oral sex instead of vaginal intercourse they would have less chance of becoming pregnant, contracting Chlamydia or HIV, jeopardizing their relationship or their reputation, getting into trouble, and feeling guilty about their behavior.
Approximately 20% of the teenagers said that they had had oral sex, a significantly higher proportion than reported experience with vaginal intercourse (14%).
A significantly greater proportion intended to have oral sex in the next six months than intended to have vaginal sex (32% vs. 26%).

To View this Resource:www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3715505.html

National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences

Source: T. Hoff, et al, National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences, (Menlo Park, CA: Henry Kaiser Family Foundation, 2003), 14.

Description: This survey contains information on adolescent sexual health knowledge, attitudes toward sex, and statistics on sexual experience.

Key Statistics:

36% of adolescents ages 15–17 (40% of males and 32% of females) reported having had oral sex.
66% of young adults ages 18–24 (73% of males and 58% of females) reported having had oral sex.
61% of white adolescents and young adults (ages 15–24), 41% of African- American adolescents and young adults, 47% of Latino adolescents and young adults, and 40% of Asian adolescents and young adults reported having had oral sex.
82% of adolescents and young adults (ages 15–24) who had engaged in sexual intercourse reported having had oral sex as did 12% of adolescents and young adults who had not had sexual intercourse.
38% of female participants and 54% of male participants ages 15–17 “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” that oral sex is not as a big of a deal as sexual intercourse.

To View this Resource:www.kff.org/youthhivstds/3218-index.cfm