Past Year and Lifetime Sexual Experiences among Black Heterosexual Adolescents and Adults: Findings from a Nationally Representative Study

Historically, Black sexuality has been depicted through a risk-based lens rather than a sex-positive lens. This study analyzed data from a subset of 540 Black heterosexual adolescents and adults who participated in the 2018 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior. Masturbation, penile-vaginal intercourse, and oral sex were the most prevalent lifetime sexual behaviors. We found statistical differences by gender among lifetime sexual behaviors for performing oral sex, receptive anal intercourse, and vibrator use during solo masturbation. These data provide insights about Black sexuality indicating that adolescents and adults engage in a variety of sexual behaviors throughout their lifetime.