A recent study from the University of Miami examining the effects on teens of Internet pornography found that in an overwhelming number of cases the media created unrealistic expectations of how easy 69-ing really is.
“It is a problem, and we have to talk about it,” says lead researcher Dr. Giulia Loudon. “For a lot of teens, this is how they’re first learning about sex, and the more they watch, the more they’re going to think that simultaneous oral is just some walk in the park.”
According to the study, these distorted perspectives can have real consequences as teens begin having sex of their own.
“What you end up with are all these teens who think, ‘Yeah, great, let’s 69 each other,’” says Dr. Loudon. “They want to dive right in, but they’re not prepared for the heavy dose of reality they’re about to face.”
“In porn, you’re only getting what you can see from this two-dimensional vantage point, in all senses of the word,” says Dr. Loudon. “You can’t see how much core strength is involved in maintaining the position. You certainly can’t see that it can be exceedingly difficult to relax enough to enjoy receiving oral sex when you yourself are focused on giving it. Who’s telling them that?”
While the conclusion of the study takes an excursion into the educational, carving out space to discuss how it might be better to just do oral one at a time, and touching upon the obstacles unique to sideways and standing up 69-ing, Dr. Loudon says it is not enough.
“Fundamentally, there’s an increasing gap between the sex education teens are receiving from their parents and their schools, and what they’re learning from porn,” says the doctor. “And what can be done about it? Open up the pathways of communication.”
“Parents should be explaining how hard 69-ing is to their children, and they should do it often,” Dr. Loudon adds. “Perhaps while drawing image aids or employing pantomime to illustrate the lesson.”
