Oral sex: varied behaviors and perceptions in a college population

Journal of Sex Research, Feb, 2007 by Wendy C. Chambers

Studies of oral sex also have not consistently addressed the varying relationship contexts in which oral sex occurs. Herold and Way (1983) did partially address the relationship context. Their study of unmarried university women revealed high dating commitment as positively correlated with high frequencies of performing oral sex, indicating that oral sex was more likely to take place in serious relationships than in less serious ones. A decade later, a community survey of over 3,000 men also found that oral sex was also more likely to occur in more serious relationships (Billy & Tanfer, 1993). These findings, however, might be outdated and also did not elucidate the various types of relationships that can be perceived as serious.

In summary, oral sex is now perceived not only more casually than intercourse but also as something in which one can engage prior to intercourse, with greater frequency, and still potentially remain a virgin. The level of knowledge about STI transmission via oral sex and the varied methods of protection have not been thoroughly investigated. The motivations for oral sex are possibly varied. The earlier literature did not indicate any clear trends regarding gender differences in giving/receiving oral sex, though oral sex seems to have increased in frequency over the years among adults and adolescents. Past research has also indicated that oral sex is more likely to take place in serious relationships, but the types of relationships have not been specified.

Therefore, what questions as yet remain unanswered or unclear? First, it remains unclear how well the oral-sex STI risk is understood and, more importantly, how effectively people can protect themselves. In addition, the evidence is scarce on how often or how many virgins tend to engage in oral sex. The motivations for engaging in oral sex and any gender differences therein also need to be clarified. Finally, the specific types of relationships that today's young adults consider acceptable for oral sex are as yet unknown. In addition, it is unknown whether greater prevalence of oral sex implies that it is perceived as less intimate than intercourse.

Pursuing answers to these questions should yield important information regarding the health risk of oral sex, the potentially varying motivations between the genders for giving/ receiving oral sex, the type of relationships in which oral sex is likely to occur, and the frequency of oral sex in comparison to intercourse. All of these findings have implications for sex education classes, the Department of Health, the CDC, and other avenues (i.e., parents, media) that both assess and influence the sexual health of young men and women. People of all ages should be aware of their motivations for their sexual behavior (which could potentially lead to modifying unsafe behavior), the potential health implications, and how to protect their health when engaging in various sexual behaviors.

The current study addressed the following in a college-aged audience in the format of an anonymous, online survey: incidence of oral sex among virgins versus nonvirgins; the level of intimacy that is accorded oral sex; the type of relationship in which oral sex is typically given/received; overall frequency of giving versus receiving of oral sex between men and women; the most typical reason(s) for giving versus receiving oral sex--that is, for each particular respondent, not a general opinion of what most "think" is the typical reason; assessment of knowledge about transmission of STIs via oral sex; and whether and how often protection is used during oral sex.