At some point, most teenagers will be asked to attend a rainbow party. This is not a party where the theme of the decorations is rainbow. Rainbow parties can be potentially dangerous to teenagers who take part in them. Here are some of the things that both teens and parents should know about rainbow parties.
What Exactly is a Rainbow Party?
A rainbow party is basically an oral sex party. A bunch of teenage girls put on different shades of lipstick. Each girl gives oral sex to each of several guys who will also be at the rainbow party. When the girls give the guys oral sex, the idea is to create a “rainbow” on the guy’s penis with their lipstick. All of the guys will compare their rainbows at the end of the party in order to determine who is the rainbow party champ.
What are the Risks of Rainbow Parties?
Since teenagers will be having oral sex with multiple partners, the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases at rainbow parties is very high. Many STDs can be spread through oral sex, such as syphilis and herpes. Another sexually transmitted disease which can be spread through oral sex is Human Papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV, which is the most common STD, will affect about half of all people who become sexually active at some point, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Are There Bigger Risks of Rainbow Parties?
By giving oral sex to multiple partners, you will be significantly increasing your chances of contracting HPV. What many people do not know is that Human Papillomavirus can cause more than cervical cancer. The STD has been linked to oral and throat cancer. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, the HPV virus strain which has been most linked to oral cancer is 16. Also keep in mind that HIV, the virus which leads to AIDS, can be spread through oral sex as well.
How Can the Risks of Rainbow Parties Be Prevented?
Parents should talk to their teens about the dangers associated with rainbow parties. One of the main reasons that teens take part in rainbow parties is due to peer pressure and acceptance. Let them know that this type of behavior can be deadly. Teens who are planning to take part in oral sex should protect themselves against STDs by using condoms at all times. There are flavored condoms on the market available to make the experience more pleasant. It’s also a good idea to think about getting the Gardasil vaccine, which protects against four strains of the Human Papillomavirus, including strain 16.
By avoiding rainbow parties entirely, you will greatly reduce your risk of contracting STDs and oral cancer caused by HPV altogether. While it may seem like the “cool” thing to do at the moment, it is important to realize that rainbow parties can be potentially deadly. While being accepted by your peers may feel important at the moment, it is important to keep in mind that you may need to live with a disease that you will have for the rest of your life due to the decisions you make.
Oral Cancer Foundation, “Oral Cancer Facts.” http://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/index.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Human Papillomavirus (HPV).” http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/
The Doctors, “The Truth About Sex: Show Synopsis.” http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/show_synopsis/408?section=synopsis
