"Sharing Each Other's Genitals"

Oral sex is both casual and rampant among young people today.

"Many engage in this activity rather cavalierly with friends, or even people they barely know," she writes. "Sharing each other's genitals has become like sharing a cigarette, drink or joint in some circles."

Such declarations are common in many new parenting guides that deal with teen sexuality.

They warn adults that their kids are engaged in new and risky behaviours that the parents never experienced in their own youth.

But are these necessary updates on modern sexuality or alarmist tactics that scare parents into thinking they should do more than just talk about the birds and the bees?

"For parents today, as opposed to 30 or 20 years ago, there is a new reality," said Cory Silverberg, a Toronto-based sex educator and co-owner of Come as You Are. "We are living in an increasingly sexualized culture and youth are exposed to way more sexual content."

The Internet, advertising and pop culture have all led to kids being faced with a swath of new issues, and they are approaching sexuality in a new way, dragging their parents along with them, like it or not.

"The parents aren't prepared for what's going on now," he said, suggesting that adults need to educate themselves about social networking, pop culture and other realities of teenage life that may have an impact on their attitude toward sexuality.