Conventional wisdom has it that women are more likely to experiment with their sexuality, and with other women in particular, during their undergraduate years. College campuses are seen as sexual Petri dishes, where female co-eds mix a little lesbianism into their behavior to see if there's a chemical reaction.
"That phenomenon gave rise to the term LUG (lesbian until graduation)," writes Tamar Lewin in a recent New York Times piece.
But a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that higher education isn't a pre-req for young ladies who want to have a same-sex experience. In fact, less than 10 percent of college-educated women said they'd had a sexual encounter with another chick — compared to 15 percent of those with no high school diploma and approximately 12.5 percent of those who'd finished high school but not college.
In other words, the less education a woman has, the more likely she is to have had an erotic experience with someone of the same sex.
What does the discrepancy between that reality and the common perception (that college campuses encourage sexual exploration) mean?
Lewin writes that Amber Hollibaugh, interim executive director of Queers for Economic Justice, a New York-based advocacy group, says: "The results of the federal survey underscored how poor, minority, and working-class lesbians had been overshadowed by the mainstream cultural image of lesbians as white professionals."
Interesting point. (Lewin interviews some people with other ideas as well.)
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
But here's my take: Experimentation is just a lot more common all over the country than most people think. It's not something that's just happening on college campuses, where "liberal" behavior is encouraged.
What do you all think?
-
Jess Hong Enters Her Chaotic Era
She was doing kids’ theater in New Zealand when she landed the leading role on Netflix’s epic ‘3 Body Problem.’ And now that the show is No. 1 on the streamer, her whole world is about to change.
By Jessica M. Goldstein Published
-
39 J.Crew, Reformation, and COS Items That Are Ideal for Spring Travel
Spring ready.
By Allyson Payer Published
-
Taylor Swift Breaks Yet Another Music-Industry Record
This is pretty much the norm now, no?
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
The 22 Best Vibrators, According to Sex Toy Experts
The best options, for every preference and price range.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Last updated
-
The Best Period Sex Tips, According to Sex Experts
Who says messy can't be sexy?
By Gabrielle Ulubay Last updated
-
The 20 Best Sex Games for Couples in 2023
Who said game nights need to be wholesome?
By Gabrielle Ulubay Last updated
-
The 14 Best Lubes for Every Need
Good sex should always go smoothly.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Last updated
-
COVID Forced My Polyamorous Marriage to Become Monogamous
For Melanie LaForce, pandemic-induced social distancing guidelines meant she could no longer see men outside of her marriage. But monogamy didn't just change her relationship with her husband—it changed her relationship with herself.
By Melanie LaForce Published
-
100 Sex Songs That Won't Make You Cringe
Dim the lights and hit play on this sex songs — the perfect playlist of songs to have sex to.
By The Editors Published
-
75 Real Sex Scenes in Movies
These actors aren't faking anything.
By Mehera Bonner Last updated
-
33 Unexpected Valentine's Day 2023 Date Ideas
A.k.a. not dinner and roses.
By The Editors Published