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Oral sex is becoming increasingly common among adolescents; it has been estimated that as many as 50% of teenagers report first sexual experiences that involve oral sex rather than vaginal intercourse. To discuss this topic credibly, parents and pediatricians must understand adolescent perspectives on this sexual behavior.
Researchers in San Francisco collected data from 580 ethnically diverse ninth-graders participating in a longitudinal study of the risks and benefits of sexual activity. The participants' mean age was 14.5; 58% were girls.
More students reported having had oral than vaginal sex (19% vs. 14%); 11% reported both behaviors. More students intended to have oral than vaginal sex (32% vs. 26%) in the next 6 months. Respondents cha…