ABUSE MAGAZINE
6 . It only takes once . One of the most common myths among teens is that pregnancy can ’ t happen the first time you have sex . Actually , it can , and it does . Even if you ’ re both virgins . When teens become sexually active , the sex is almost always unplanned and sporadic ; communication between partners is often poor ; and denial and guilt may stand in the way of getting and using protection . Whether you ’ re having sex for the first time or the 50th time , if you ’ re not using contraception , there is a chance of pregnancy . If that sounds like a risk you don ’ t want to take , you can always decide you ’ re just not ready for sex .
“ Things were moving so fast . We didn ’ t stop to think about protection . I wish I ’ d taken five
minutes to buy a condom — instead I ’ ll be working to support my son for the
rest of my life .”
- Guy , 16
7 . If you ’ re drunk or high , you can ’ t make good decisions about anything — especially sex . Drinking alcohol and using drugs makes teens more likely to have unplanned or even unwanted sex . Having sex while drunk or high means you are much less likely to use protection . Even if you had meant to wait or use protection , those plans go out the window fast if you ’ re not thinking straight . Lots of teens say they ’ ve done something sexually when using drugs or alcohol that they might not have done if they ’ d been sober . If you ’ re going to a party with your friends , agree ahead of time to look out for each other . Step in if you see someone you care about losing control — before they do something they might not remember or might really regret .
8 . Sexting isn ’ t harmless . Before you hit “ send ,” remember that nothing in cyberspace ever really goes away . One in five teen girls ages 13-16 has sent ( or posted online ) nude or semi-nude images of themselves . Think that sexy photo is just between you and your guy ? Think again : one-third of teen boys and one-quarter of teen girls have had nude or seminude photos — originally meant to be private — shared with them . Those photos are not only embarrassing , they ’ re potentially dangerous : one-third of teens think that those who send sexy texts and images of themselves are expected to hook up in real life , and 15 % of those who admit to sexting have done so with someone they know only online . Not to mention that having naked photos of a minor could land you in jail — even if it ’ s a photo of someone you know and love . The safest sext is no sext .
9 . Girls : Sex won ’ t make him yours , and a baby won ’ t make him stay . One of the worst reasons to have sex is because you think your boyfriend will dump you if
you don ’ t . Sex and pregnancy don ’ t guarantee a lasting , loving relationship — in fact , three-quarters of guys say that sex won ’ t make them stay in a relationship they don ’ t want to be in . Babies don ’ t keep a relationship glued together — they are more likely to tear them apart : 8 out of 10 of teen fathers don ’ t marry their babies ’ mothers , and most guys don ’ t stick around at all .
“ I told my boyfriend , ‘ We have a son .’ He said , ‘ No , we don ’ t . YOU have a son .’”
- Girl , 15
10 . Guys : You can say “ no ,” too . Girls aren ’ t the only ones who feel pressure to have sex . Nearly 8 in 10 teen guys say there is way too much pressure on them to have sex — from friends , from girls , and from society — and 1 in 5 teen guys admits to going farther sexually than they really wanted to because of pressure from a girl . You don ’ t have to have sex to prove anything . Having sex doesn ’ t make you a man : waiting until you ’ re ready and acting responsibly does .
11 . Older teens : Younger teens are listening to you . Talk with your little sister or brother or younger cousin — let them know they can ask you anything . Kids who have positive , close relationships with older siblings are less like to take risks with sex . They look up to you , and you don ’ t carry as much baggage as a parent or another grownup . You can make a big difference . In fact , the younger teens are when they first have sex , the more they wind up regretting it . Let younger teens know that they should take their time and not feel pressure to grow up too fast . They ’ re listening to you .
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