America is among the most liberal countries in attitude towards sex, and American teenagers receive significantly more “sexual” information than their peers in other parts of the world.  Nevertheless, their level of sexual education often borders upon ignorance.

A recent national survey on sexual health, relations and experience conducted by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation showed that one in five sexually active teenagers between the age of 15 and 17 is not aware of the fact that sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted during oral sex.  Two in five believe that oral sex is “safer” than “regular” sex.  One in four teenagers admitted to resorting to oral sex when avoiding sexual intercourse.  About 30% of teenagers believe that oral sex is less intimate than “regular” sex.

Despite the fact that sexual education is taught in American high schools and free condoms are distributed, many high school students do not understand the importance of safe sex and the principles of contraception.  One in six young men between 15 and 24 believes that it is acceptable to “sometimes” have sex without a condom.  Young men are twice as likely as young women to believe that sex without a condom is “not a big deal.”  Only 70% of young Americans use contraception every time they have sex.  One in 10 believes that those who often change sexual partners need to use contraception.  At the same time, 71% of those, who use other forms of protection believe that they are protected from AIDS and venereal diseases as well as from unwanted pregnancy.  Despite the fact that most young Americans believe that the use of condoms is an expression of respect and care for one’s partner, almost 50% noted that showing condoms during intimate moments and offering to use them can be seen as a sign of mistrust or even suspicion about an “unclean” sexual history.

Four in five Americans aged between 15 and 17 are certain that their peers have sex only after a couple of drinks or under the influence of drugs.  One in five sexually active Americans that age has sex without any form of protection when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

One fifth of American teenagers still practice early withdrawal as a method of “safe sex.”  An equal amount believes that sex during menstruation never leads to pregnancy, despite the fact that medical studies have long ago proved the contrary.  Fear of pregnancy is still the leading concern about sex for young Americans.  Despite the fact that 25% of sexually active American teenagers contract venereal diseases and the fact that people between 15 and 24 account for 50% of all new incidents of AIDS, recognition of the need for protection from these diseases is secondary.  Most young Americans feel that they are well, or very well, aware of the dangers of venereal diseases.  However, when asked to describe the signs that they or their sexual partners may have such diseases, most declare that they would simply “know” if they encountered this problem.

The Kaiser Family Foundation survey also demonstrated some interesting facts about the sexual habits and preferences of young Americans of different races.  For example, white teenagers have oral sex more often than Latin Americans or African Americans.  Latin Americans and African Americans become sexually active earlier than whites, while Asian Americans become sexually active later.  African Americans have the highest number of sexual partners.    (VG)