For the longest time, sexual stereotypes have influenced the roles that males and females play sexually. Some of these stereotypes include the idea that guys have sex more than girls, and girls are expected to perform oral sex on guys rather than the other way around.

But thanks to a recently released survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, new information on the habits of sexually active American youth are smashing these stereotypes to pieces and creating new questions about teen sexual behavior.

It was reported that more than half of teens ages 15 to 19 are in some way sexually active. And when it comes to oral sex, the numbers are even higher! Of those teens who have had vaginal sex, 83 percent of girls and 88 percent of boys have engaged in oral sex. Among teens who have not had sexual intercourse, almost one in four reported that they had engaged in oral sex.

It also seems like girls are receiving oral sex almost as often as guys. “You assume that females are more likely to give, males more likely to receive. We were surprised that the percentages were similar,” says Jennifer Manlove, Ph.D and research director of fertility and family structures for Child Trends, a nonprofit organization that researches and analyzes data.

Another kicker is that the number of girls who have had intercourse before the age of 20 is slightly higher than the number of guys.

Defying stereotypes? You bet we are! Unfortunately, some of these new trends may not be very positive in the long-run. For instance, the study also reported that fewer than one in ten teens used condoms to protect against most sexually transmitted diseases while engaging in oral sex.

What do you think?

Click here to talk to us! Also, visit our Take Action section to learn how you can do something on these issues that are important to you.

—Christina Coleman, 17, Staff Writer

Editors’ Note: For more information on the NCHS survey, click here.