Sex and You

All these messages! How on earth are you supposed to make heads or tails of it? You probably hear all kinds of messages from your parents, friends, peers, teachers, religious leaders-not to mention what you see on TV or read in magazines. While some of these sources are speaking to you from the bottom of their hearts, honestly hoping to help you, their messages can conflict with each other. What your mum says isn't going to be the same as what magazines tells you. Who to believe? In times like these, it pays to do a little research of your own.

Sex is serious. With sex comes sexual responsibility. If you aren't responsible you could suffer more than a little heartbreak. Think about teen pregnancy, a sexually transmitted infection like Chlamydia or even HIV/AIDS, and, most commonly, deep regret.

Now think about the alternative. Your teen years should be about learning and enjoying life, sports, friends and hanging out; not parenting, changing diapers and midnight feedings.

You'll face a lot of pressure to have sexual intercourse during your teen years. It comes from friends, peers, and TV. At times it'll seem like everyone's having sex, but many choose not to.

Here's what some teens had to say...

"It's no big deal. I was 17. if you're confused and don't want to have sex then don't. Wait. But if you feel good about it then have sex, but only with someone who feels the same as you."

 

"I was 11. Girls often start young because they think they have to. I think it's important to really want to do whatever you do. It's better with someone you feel comfortable with. Don't settle for something that doesn't feel right, and never do it in the hope of getting love cos it doesn't work."

There are many ways of showing your affection for each other without having sexual intercourse.

  • Think about how you feel
  • Choose what you want
  • Take it slowly

It's okay to go out with someone and be intimate. You can be close by doing stuff like hanging out at the movies, at parties, at the skate park, at church or on the lake front. Developing a friendship is important and can have a positive effect on your relationship.

If you've both discussed it and decided you want to have sex, be safe! Talk to someone you trust (your parent, your counselor) or contact us about the different forms of contraception.

Just remember, there's only one of you. It's your life. Keep safe, and don't let ANYONE pressure you into doing something you don't want to do.