GIRL POWER OCTOBER 2013 | Page 11

If a boy pressures you to become sexually active even though you have said no, STOP dating this boy - He clearly is not the one for you! AIDS. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease in which the body’s natural defense system is disabled, allowing other bacterial and viral infections to become deadly. As of June 1997, the National Centers for Disease Control had counted 2,953 cases among adolescents aged 13 to 19, representing less than 1 percent of the total number of AIDS cases in the U.S. Since the time between infection with HIV and the onset of AIDS may be several years, however, many young adults diagnosed with AIDS undoubtedly contracted the disease while teenagers. In fact, half of all HIV infections in the U.S. occur among persons under 25. There is as yet no cure for AIDS. Although new drugs are increasing the survival time for people who get AIDS and researchers are making progress in understanding it, the disease is still ultimately fatal. Oral sex has been found to spread syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, HPV, genital herpes, chlamydia and possibly hepatitis C. When I was 13 I had a boyfriend and it was so much fun. I wasn’t pressured to have sex, however I had no problem saying NO. Believing in who you are what you stand for and knowing your self worth will enable you to have the power to stay in control of your dating experience throughout your school years. My Message to Young Teen Girls: If a boy pressures you to become sexually active even though you have said no, STOP dating this boy - He clearly is not the one for you! Enjoy being 13 - 14 - 15! Have a boyfriend, enjoy school, try new hobbies, be a good friend. Having a boyfriend may seem like the most important thing. Don’t make that your main focus and if a boy really likes you he won’t pressure you at all. Success with a boy NEVER validates who you are!