Apparently
The Government is concerned that increasing numbers of young people are trying anal sex, according to an official consultation.
Officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are baffled at the increased popularity of the act despite apparent “research” suggesting it is not pleasurable for women.
The warning is included in a consultation document issued by the Department about plans to further restrict access to online pornography. It argues that young people are trying anal sex as a result of having viewed pornography, and that this is an unwelcome development.
“Many people worry that young people will come to expect their real life sexual experiences to mirror what they or their peers see in pornography, which often features ambiguous depictions of consent, submissive female stereotypes and unrealistic scenarios,” the consultation reads.
“There is also a question about the effect of pornography on ‘unwanted sex’ – for instance more young people are engaging in anal intercourse than ever before despite research which suggests that it is often not seen as a pleasurable activity for young women.
“While the increase in anal sex cannot be attributed directly to pornography consumption, it does feature in a large percentage of mainstream pornography (for example, one content analysis found it featured in 56% of sex scenes).”
The consultation suggests that restricting access to pornography might reduce the numbers of people trying anal sex.
Officials supported their view by citing a 2014 British Medical Journal paper from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine which collated interviews about the practice with 130 16-18 year olds.
That study actually however concluded that “accounts revealed a complex context [of people trying anal sex] with availability of pornography being only one element”.
The Government’s negative view of anal sex recalls opposition to the practice by Margaret Thatcher, who in 1986 watered down an anti-AIDS campaign so as not to acknowledge the act's existence.
According to Cabinet minutes released at the New Year Mrs Thatcher sent a memo asking for a section on “risky sex” to be scrubbed from the campaign because “it could do immense harm if young teenagers were to read it”.
When the newspaper advert warning of the dangers of AIDS went ahead, she said: “I remain against certain parts of this advertisement. Adverts where every young person will read and learn of practices they never knew about will do harm.”
Homosexual anal sex was criminalised under law as “buggery” in England and Wales until 1967.
News
UK Government concerned too many people could be trying anal sex
LurkingHusband · 13/04/2016 09:47
Didn't take long for someone to wail 'you're all prudes'....
Anal sex has increased massively as a pastime since I started having sex (in 1990).
I had a very active sexual history and can't actually remember how many men I slept or had encounters with over the years (all completely consensual).
I was never once asked for anal, let alone coerced into it - it just wasn't a mainstream thing.
I have worked in a male dominated environment for most of my adult life, with an age range of 17 up to mid 50s and heard all the stories of drunken nights out etc - I noticed a marked difference between the teens/20s of now with those of 15+ years ago - anal is the goal now it seems.
The blokes high five each other for finding a girl who's up for it, and the young girls are falling over themselves to offer it to prove they're not 'frigid' or 'prudes' and to feel accepted.
I'm now separated from my husband, and like a pp said, it seems anal is suddenly a thing amongst the older guys too - which means they dip out big style with me because my ass is out of bounds 
ledkr I can imagine you embarrass her right now because she's 14 and you're her mum and you should know nothing about sex 
but i bet she'll be really thankful when she's older. I'm determined to make sure DD knows she can talk to me and will give her any facts she needs, I think it's so important.
MrsB I do wonder how things are for each generation. I'm 27, internet porn was around when I was a teen but I'm not sure it was as much as it is now. I was first asked for anal sex at 16 and have been asked a fair bit. I worry about what else will become more mainstream as time goes on and how we stay up to date on it to be properly advising our children. My DD is only 4, what will things be like for her in 10 years time?
urban yeah I'm bisexual but I hate gay people 
I genuinely don't get any other points you made in your last point but I suggest trying to steer your kids away from stabbing needles into themselves rather than saying it's their choice. Be a parent.
I feel so sad for the easily lead or low self esteem girls and young woman who will be left with a lifetime of health issues as a result of anal sex.
I have never partook. I was asked and declined, I was almost "accidently" entered.
It's an out hole with a function. Nature provided a lubricated hole that fits a penis just fine, use it.
Ah, of course, that canard. People who think that sexual practices that damage people physically are illiberal prudes. Yes, obviously.
Pressurising people in all areas of life isn't acceptable, really, is it? I don't nag my husband. He's an adult, and he makes his own decisions. I may object, and tell him so, but once I've raised it once, it's not for me to pressurise him. He would never pressurise me either, and hasn't in 25 years.
I don't bribe my children either- that way madness lies.
I thaught the OP was posting joke. I'm totally stunned that this is a serious thread. Are there no more pressing matters than that? Working on the notion of consent, harassement and online security comes to mind
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.