Bella English

About the author: Bella English is a staff writer for the Boston Globe.

Although surveys have found that fewer teens are having sexual intercourse, more are engaging in oral sex. Sex education classes emphasize the risks of intercourse but offer little information about alternative practices, such as oral sex. This leads many teens to believe that oral sex is a safe alternative to intercourse. As a result, many teens are engaging in oral sex at younger ages as a way to preserve their virginity.

The November [2000] dance at Weston [Massachusetts] Middle School was canceled. Not due to weather or lack of interest or chaperones. It was canceled because of dirty dancing. Or, to be specific, "inappropriate body contact" at the October dance. To be very specific, a group of 20 to 25 kids were...