Abstinence is not the safest sex, or is it?

Dear Let's be honest,

You make a valid point. However, the terms "abstinence" and "sex" may mean different things to different people. You shared that, "abstinence is... not sex" and, therefore, "the risks of sex are not present." For folks who define abstinence as no sexual contact in any way, you're absolutely right: there's little risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or becoming pregnant. But, what about those who don't define abstinence that way? And, what if another person's definition of sex differs from yours (see Definition of sex? in the Go Ask Alice! archives for a number of possible definitions)? All things considered, the "safest" sex situation gets a bit more complicated.  

The meanings behind sex and abstinence may have more to do with a person's cultural background, personal experiences, and upbringing than with any universal definition. For some, having oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse is "having sex," and anything else (kissing, mutual masturbation, dry humping, etc.) is a form of abstinence. Other folks may consider themselves to be having sex if they touch themselves or their partner sexually, rub against their partner without clothes on, or stimulate each other in other ways. While others consider only vaginal intercourse as having sex, so giving and getting oral or anal sex is part of being abstinent.

With these various perspectives in mind, a person's definition of what is (and is not) sex can play into what risk may be involved with selected activities. For example, for those that consider oral sex to be part of their plan for abstinence, it's good to know that they may still run the risk of STI transmission. So, it may help for folks to chat with their partner(s) on what they consider sex and abstinence. Then, they can make a plan for how to reduce the risk of STIs or pregnancy (depending on the sexual activity in question). If you're interested in learning more about what risks may be involved in certain sexual acts, take a look at the Go Ask Alice! Sexual and Reproductive Health archives. It may also be helpful to talk with a health care provider or a health promotion specialist about different sexual behaviors, any potential risks, and how to minimize those risks.

Thanks for sharing your insight and hopefully this helps bring a little nuance to the topic.