Teens and the Rice Purity Test: What Parents Should Know

You might have heard about the Rice purity test already, especially if you’ve got teens. If you haven’t yet, let me fill you in on this online test. Well, it’s more of a questionnaire that originally started in Rice University’s student newspaper, The Thresher, as a way for students to measure the level of ‘innocent’ experiences they’ve had. It’s been around since the 1920s but has recently become popular online.

The Rice Purity Test Explained

The test includes a series of yes/no questions, 100 to be exact. They range from simple things like holding hands, drug use, to more mature topics like sexual experiences. It’s kind of a self-graded survey to see how ‘pure’ or ‘worldly’ someone is based on their experiences. Kids nowadays use it mostly for fun, to compare results with friends.

The scoring process of the Rice Purity Test is pretty straightforward. Here’s how it works:

1. Starting Score: Everyone begins with a score of 100.
2. Answering the Questions: The test consists of 100 questions, each representing a different experience. These experiences range from the very innocent, like holding hands, to more mature content.
3. For Each “Yes” Answer: Every time you answer “yes” to a question, you subtract a point from your starting score. So, if you answer “yes” to a question about, say, holding hands, you go from 100 to 99.
4. Final Score: After you’ve gone through all 100 questions, your final score is the number you’re left with. The higher the score, the more ‘innocent’ or ‘pure’ the test labels you. Conversely, a lower score indicates more experience with the activities listed in the test.
5. Understanding the Score: It’s important to remember that the test is meant to be taken in a light-hearted manner. The score isn’t a measure of character or value. It’s just a reflection of the number of experiences someone has had from the specific list in the test.
6. Discussion and Context: For teens, especially, it’s vital to understand that the score is not something to be taken too seriously. It should not be a benchmark for making decisions or feeling pressured into certain activities. It’s just a fun, informal way to reflect on different life experiences.

But here’s the thing – as a parent, it’s important to know about it. Why? Because while it might seem harmless, some questions can be quite personal and even uncomfortable. We know how peer pressure works, right? You don’t want your teen feeling they have to do certain things just to fit in or score lower on this test.

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What Can Parents Do?

1. It’s all about keeping the communication lines open with your kids. Talk to them about it. Ask if they’ve heard of it or taken it, and what they think about it. This is a great way to start a conversation about peer pressure, personal values, and making choices that are right for them.
2. It’s a chance to remind them about online safety. Remind them that sharing personal info online, even in a ‘fun’ test, can be risky. It’s a good rule of thumb to think twice before answering personal questions, even if it seems like everyone else is doing it.
3. Don’t forget to listen. Our kids might just need a safe space to talk about these things without judgment. They might have questions or worries they don’t know how to express. Let them know you’re there for them, no matter what.

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Sample Rice Purity Test

Below, we’re giving you a full sample of the Rice Purity Test. This questionnaire, which originated from Rice University decades ago, has now become a viral trend among teenagers. It’s a 100-question survey that ranges from innocent activities to more mature experiences, meant to gauge a person’s ‘innocence’ or ‘experience’. While it’s often taken light-heartedly, it’s important for us, as parents, to understand what our kids are being exposed to.

Have you ever…

1. Been drunk?
2. Smoked or used tobacco?
3. Used recreational drugs?
4. Had a one-night stand?
5. Engaged in sexual activity?
6. Had oral sex?
7. Had anal sex?
8. Used sex toys?
9. Engaged in BDSM or bondage?
10. Sent explicit photos or videos?
11. Received explicit photos or videos?
12. Had a threesome?
13. Engaged in group sex?
14. Had sex in a public place?
15. Had sex in a car or vehicle?
16. Had sex outdoors?
17. Engaged in role-playing or fantasies?
18. Watched or read explicit material?
19. Engaged in sexting?
20. Engaged in phone or video sex?
21. Used a dating app for casual encounters?
22. Engaged in cybersex or online roleplay?
23. Paid for sexual services?
24. Received payment for sexual services?
25. Had sex with a friend?
26. Had sex with a stranger?
27. Had sex with someone significantly older or younger?
28. Had sex with a married person?
29. Had sex with multiple partners in a short period?
30. Engaged in voyeurism or watched others having sex?
31. Engaged in exhibitionism or had sex in front of others?
32. Engaged in public nudity or streaking?
33. Participated in a sex party or orgy?
34. Engaged in BDSM activities like spanking or bondage?
35. Engaged in role reversal or power play?
36. Engaged in erotic or sensual massages?
37. Had sex in a swimming pool or hot tub?
38. Engaged in sexual activities in a place of worship?
39. Engaged in sexual activities at work or school?
40. Had sex in a hotel or vacation rental?
41. Engaged in sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
42. Had sex with someone of the same gender?
43. Had sex with someone of a different race or ethnicity?
44. Engaged in sexual activities with a celebrity fantasy?
45. Had sex in a foreign country or while traveling?
46. Engaged in sexual activities with a close relative?
47. Had sex while on a break or separated from a partner?
48. Engaged in outdoor or nature-themed sexual activities?
49. Used food or edible items during sexual play?
50. Engaged in sexual activities involving bondage or restraints?
51. Had a long-distance relationship with sexual activities?
52. Had sex with someone you met online?
53. Engaged in phone sex with a partner?
54. Engaged in sexual activities with a coworker or boss?
55. Used a fake name or identity for sexual encounters?
56. Engaged in sexual activities involving costumes or roleplay?
57. Engaged in sexual activities involving toys or props?
58. Had sex while menstruating?
59. Engaged in sexual activities in a public restroom?
60. Engaged in sexual activities in a movie theater?
61. Had sex with a virgin?
62. Engaged in sexual activities involving food or drinks?
63. Had sex in a friend’s or relative’s bed?
64. Engaged in sexual activities while on a video call?
65. Had sex in a college dormitory or shared living space?
66. Engaged in sexual activities with a sex worker or escort?
67. Used sex-related apps or websites to find partners?
68. Engaged in sexual activities with someone you met at a party?
69. Had sex in a tent or camping setting?
70. Engaged in sexual activities involving bondage or restraints?
71. Had sex while on a video call?
72. Engaged in sexual activities with a sex worker or escort?
73. Used sex-related apps or websites to find partners?
74. Engaged in sexual activities with someone you met at a party?
75. Had sex in a tent or camping setting?
76. Engaged in sexual activities involving bondage or restraints?
77. Had a romantic or sexual relationship with a teacher or authority figure?
78. Engaged in sexual activities involving role-playing as a dominant or submissive?
79. Had sex in a public restroom or bathroom stall?
80. Engaged in sexual activities with multiple partners at the same time?
81. Used a fake name or identity during sexual encounters?
82. Engaged in sexual activities while under the influence of prescription medication?
83. Had sex with a celebrity look-alike?
84. Engaged in sexual activities involving temperature play (ice, hot wax, etc.)?
85. Had sex with someone you initially met through social media?
86. Engaged in sexual activities involving blindfolds or sensory deprivation?
87. Had sex in a location with a high risk of being caught or discovered?
88. Engaged in sexual activities involving role-playing as a doctor, nurse, or patient?
89. Had sex in a place where others could potentially see or hear you?
90. Engaged in sexual activities while on a vacation or getaway?
91. Had sex in a place of worship or religious establishment?
92. Engaged in sexual activities involving spanking or impact play?
93. Had sex with someone you knew for less than 24 hours?
94. Engaged in sexual activities in a vehicle parked in a public area?
95. Had sex in a public park or nature reserve?
96. Engaged in sexual activities while using restraints or bondage furniture?
97. Had sex in a workplace or office setting?
98. Engaged in sexual activities involving food as part of foreplay or during sex?
99. Had sex in a changing room or fitting room?
100. Engaged in sexual activities involving exhibitionism or performing sexual acts for others?

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The Rice Purity Test is more than just a quirky quiz. It’s a window into the peer pressures and challenges our teens might be facing. As moms, it’s our job to be in the know, keep those conversations going, and be the guiding light for our kids as they navigate these tricky waters. It’s not about having all the answers, but about being there to listen, guide and support.