Sex
Don't think that most teenagers are having sex. They aren't. Sexual feelings can be strong but you need to think before you act-think about your future and think about the consequences.
Over one million teens become pregnant each year. Young girls have more medical problems during pregnancy. Babies of teenage mothers are more likely to have serious health problems.
Don't believe it!
Myths about Pregnancy
- You can't get pregnant standing up False
- You can't get pregnant when you are having your period False
- You can't get pregnant if the boy withdraws before ejaculation False
- You can't get pregnant the first time you have sex False
- You can't get pregnant if you are using birth control False
Pressure to have sex comes from advertising, friends, movies, television, songs, and books. But having sex doesn't make you more mature, in fact, whether you are a boy or girl, it may cause problems you don't know how to handle. Sex should not be used to prove you love someone. It doesn't have to be hard to say "no". You can still remain friends. You might say "I like you, but I'm not ready to have sex", or "I want to wait until I am older to have sex", or " I don't want to have sex. I don't have to have a reason, it is just my decision."
A checklist of things you should consider before having sex:
- Is having sex in agreement with my own moral values?
- What would my parents say? What would my friends say?
- If I have a child, am I able to provide for its emotional and financial support?
- If the relationship with this person ends, will I be glad I had sex with this person?
- Am I very sure no one is pushing me to do this? Am I sure I am not doing it because I think others are?
- Can I be sure my partner is not infected with a sexually transmitted disease?
- Can I handle the guilt and conflict that would arise
if I were to become pregnant?
