Oral‐genital sexual behavior in a sample of university females

The objectives were to develop a multivariate model of predictors for oral-genital sexual behavior and to study patterns of disclosure regarding oral sex. Data were obtained from a nonrandom sample of 203 unmarried university females ranging in age from 18 to 22 with a mean age of 19.8. Sixty-one percent of the subjects had performed oral sex on their partners and 68% had experienced their partner performing oral sex on them. One-third had never discussed the subject of oral sex with dating partner or close friend, and almost all had never discussed the topic with parents. The best regression model for predicting oral sex experience explained 58% of the variance and contained the variables of guilt about oral sex, intercourse experience, and dating commitment. The best model for predicting current oral sex frequency explained 34No of the variance and contained the variables of frequency of intercourse, dating commitment, oral sex guilt, and masturbation frequency. Having experienced oral sex and frequency of oral sex were not significantly related to disclosure to friend about oral sex. They were, however, significantly related to disclosure to dating partner. The findings suggest that in studying oral sexual behavior we need to be aware of the interaction of social, relationship, and attitudinal variables as well as the relationship of oral sexuality to other sexual behaviors. One of the major changes in sexual behavior from Kinsey's time has been the general increase in and acceptance of oral-genital sexual relations (Hunt, 1974). Whereas oral sex used to be viewed as a perverted type of behavior, it has now become a widely accepted practice. In a study of married wives, Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, and Gebhard (1953) found that one-half of married women had experienced oral sex. More recent research suggests that at least 90No of wives have experienced oral sex (Hunt, 1974; Tavris & Sadd, 1977). Hite (1976) reports that many women achieve greater sexual satisfaction from oral sex than