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Contrary to Belief, Oral Sex Not Replacing Intercourse Among Teens

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A federal study on the sexual behavior of young Americans released on Thursday countered a widespread belief that oral sex was increasing and vaginal sex decreasing among teenagers due to fears of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Two in every three young Americans have engaged in oral sex, about the same percentage as those who have engaged in vaginal intercourse, the study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Center for Vital Statistics found.

It also showed that the rates of both practices among the U.S. youth have dropped since a decade ago.

The study showed that about equal numbers of young women and men aged between 15-24 have had oral sex, and that about a quarter – 26 percent of women and 24 percent of men – had first had oral sex before engaging in vaginal intercourse.

Around a quarter of youth had likewise had oral sex only after first experiencing vaginal intercourse, the study said.

The belief that oral sex was being practiced more and vaginal sex less to avoid pregnancy and STDs has gained traction in recent years.

“Now we know that’s not necessarily true,” Monica Rodriguez, president and chief executive of the nonprofit group, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States…

Read more: Reuters

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