February 18, 2003













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I'm 15 . . . Am I too young to have sex?

  That's a question that a lot of teens wonder about. Most adults would agree that 15 is too young to have sexual intercourse. Being ready for sex has a lot more to do with maturity than how old you are. Here are some things to think about. Have you and your honey talked A LOT about why you want to have sex, what you expect from it, what worries or scares you about it, what you think it will be like? Have you talked about how it might change your relationship? Does having sex mean the same thing to both of you? Have you also talked to your parent(s) or another trusted adult about your decision?

  Also, ask yourself why you want to have sex. Is it because you want to make your partner happy or make him or her love you? Do you want to feel more grown up? Are you thinking of having sex because everybody else is doing it?

  These are all really bad reasons to have sex. Sex doesn't prove love or make people more in love. It doesn't make you into an adult overnight either. And the truth is, everybody isn't doing it. National surveys show that 70 percent of 15-year-olds are still virgins.

  Here are some things you need to be able to do before you're ready for sex. Talk to your partner about your relationship, sex, contraception, and your feelings. Visit a family planning clinic and get the protection you need to be safe and responsible.

  If you're afraid to do any of this stuff, then you're not ready. But what's the rush? You're young and have plenty of time. Wait until it's really right for you. You'll be happiest if you follow your own path.



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