Teenage Sex

[Tara.]

In general no, teenagers should not and are not ready for sex.
But that doens't mean when you turn 20 your magically any different either.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

Originally Posted by her_beautiful_mistake

It's not a fact. It's your opinion

And teenage spans all the way up to 19.

This not meant to be rude, but many people in their early teens do you know who are fully emotionally, mentally, ect ready for sex?

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Originally Posted by I love dogs

This not meant to be rude, but many people in their early teens do you know who are fully emotionally, mentally, ect ready for sex?

Are you saying that you know without a doubt that there are no young teenagers in the world that are not fully emotionally ready for sex?

Well for one, I was. And over 7 years after I lost my virginity as a young teenager, I do not regret my decision and in fact am very pleased I had sex when I did do whom I did. If I had regretted my decision I'm sure I would have dealt with that. In my 20's, I've had sex and regretted it so much it had a pretty substantial impact. Showing that age really isn't always a factor.

And in many cultures, you are married and already have your first child by the time you are 13, a full time mother and house wife.

I'm not saying that being ready for sex in your early teens is true of the majority, I know that for the majority of people they are not. But people mature emotionally and physically at very different rates. They have different experiences, different lives, etc etc. You cannot say "no 13/14/15 year old is ready for sex" any more than you can say "every 23/24/25 year old is ready for sex".

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by I love dogs

But I am not talking about just knowing it I can KNOW something and not be prepared to accept it should it happen.

Adults aren't all ready and prepared to accept the outcomes, not only teenagers.

Originally Posted by I love dogs

There is no fixed age, no but young teens those 13-15 are rarely ready that is just a fact. I mean they are still trying to figure themselves out.

If it's a fact, then there must be considerable undeniable evidence. You said it's a fact so provide the evidence and solid arguments that are agreed upon by others. Until then, it's your opinion.

[Xujhan]

Originally Posted by I love dogs

This not meant to be rude, but many people in their early teens do you know who are fully emotionally, mentally, ect ready for sex?

More than zero. Some people are more mature at fourteen than others are at eighteen. Any age line you draw is going to be arbitrary. I'm in Rachel's boat: I first had sex when I was fourteen and to my knowledge neither of us has regretted it since. Several of my friends tell similar stories. In fact, I don't personally know anyone who chose to have sex young and did regret it. Small sample space of course, so salt would be appropriate, but clearly your view doesn't hold for everyone.

Personally, I think that the idea that sex is this big dangerous thing is a little archaic. Most times it's not having sex that causes people regret but who they have it with. I don't believe I've ever heard "Yeah, my first time was actually really nice; even though it didn't work out the guy was really sweet and we had a lot of fun. I totally regret it." That kind of view doesn't even really make sense. If you loan someone a hundred dollars and they never give it back you'll likely regret that too; does that mean that loaning money is bad? Of course not; it means that you should be careful about who you loan to. I don't see why sex wouldn't be the same way. It's not sex that's dangerous, it's placing trust in someone who hasn't yet earned it. Of course many teenagers don't choose good people, but that's true of adults too. Teaching children what healthy relationships are like and how to be on the lookout for someone who might abuse your trust seems to me a much more useful precaution than teaching them to be scared of sex, particularly since we know they're going to go at it anyway.

That said, of course it's generally safer to not have sex when you're young. Heck, it's generally safer not to trust anyone ever at any age. That's a pretty rotten way to live though. If a teenager gives it some thought and decides they'd like to have sex with someone they've known for a while, who treats them kindly and has proven to be trustworthy, and understands the risks and how to minimize them, I don't really think there's much to be gained in stopping them. They'd be doing a better job of it than many adults, in fact.

[Kyeto-X]

Originally Posted by Xujhan

More than zero. Some people are more mature at fourteen than others are at eighteen. Any age line you draw is going to be arbitrary. I'm in Rachel's boat: I first had sex when I was fourteen and to my knowledge neither of us has regretted it since. Several of my friends tell similar stories. In fact, I don't personally know anyone who chose to have sex young and did regret it. Small sample space of course, so salt would be appropriate, but clearly your view doesn't hold for everyone.

Personally, I think that the idea that sex is this big dangerous thing is a little archaic. Most times it's not having sex that causes people regret but who they have it with. I don't believe I've ever heard "Yeah, my first time was actually really nice; even though it didn't work out the guy was really sweet and we had a lot of fun. I totally regret it." That kind of view doesn't even really make sense. If you loan someone a hundred dollars and they never give it back you'll likely regret that too; does that mean that loaning money is bad? Of course not; it means that you should be careful about who you loan to. I don't see why sex wouldn't be the same way. It's not sex that's dangerous, it's placing trust in someone who hasn't yet earned it. Of course many teenagers don't choose good people, but that's true of adults too. Teaching children what healthy relationships are like and how to be on the lookout for someone who might abuse your trust seems to me a much more useful precaution than teaching them to be scared of sex, particularly since we know they're going to go at it anyway.

That said, of course it's generally safer to not have sex when you're young. Heck, it's generally safer not to trust anyone ever at any age. That's a pretty rotten way to live though. If a teenager gives it some thought and decides they'd like to have sex with someone they've known for a while, who treats them kindly and has proven to be trustworthy, and understands the risks and how to minimize them, I don't really think there's much to be gained in stopping them. They'd be doing a better job of it than many adults, in fact.

Pretty much ditto Fletcher

[CrimsonTippedPetals]

Alright, I am adding onto what I previously said about sex.

Sex is a natural part of life, and we can't tell others when or when they can not have sex. It is their own problem if they are not ready, or if they get pregnant. Everyone matures and is physically and mentally ready before others are. There are people my age (16) that don't even know what sex is. And yes, it's true. Back in the early 1600s, you had people educating and encouraging sex. Now we have parents totally against it. And I think if you're against sex, you either know or are someone who was not ready and had sex before you thought it was okay. Or you've experienced it and believe you should have been more ready, but don't regret the act of doing so.

Sex as a teenager is sometimes what we want and are ready for because of our hormones. It's better than being 25, never had sex, totally ignorant of it, and then raped, right? (I'm not saying this IS going to happen.) But at 25, you would be more affected by it if your in college, or a steady job, since you'll be analyzing EVERY aspect of what happened, and why. While you are a teenager, you get it over and done with, you think about it for a while, maybe cry if it wasn't the greatest, but you realize life does go on, and if you weren't ready, you won't do it again.

xD Maturity is a huge factor, or I think it is. Religious point of view or not, but I also think if you are age 15 and below, don't have sex. You're body most likely is NOT ready for it. And at that age, you'll have a harder time getting a hold of any contraceptives such as a condom or birth control.

[dr2005]

Originally Posted by 3.14159265358979323846264

Sex predates Christianity by millions of years, I don't think they have the right to say what it is and isn't for. If this is what you want to believe then go ahead an believe it, but I don't think it's valid proof.

By that logic, no individual, organisation or government on the planet has any right to say what sex is and isn't for (procreation, pleasure etc.) as the act of sex predates them all by millions of years. Reductio ad absurdum. Objecting to Christianity's perspective on sex based on its own merits is fair enough, but objecting to it based merely on timescale is abrogating rational analysis and isn't really good enough.

Anyway...in my view it all comes down to the readiness of the individual(s) based on physical and emotional criteria. By that, I don't count awareness of sex, contraception, abortion, pregnancy etc. as emotional readiness, any more than I would expect someone to believe that because I am bordering on geek territory when it comes to Formula One that I could go out and race against Fernando Alonso and the like. Emotional readiness is being fully aware of the implications of that level of intimacy, the reality of the potential consequences (contraception is not foolproof after all) and the reasoning behind having sex with their chosen partner (and both being on the same wavelength in that regard). That may not develop at the same rate as physical readiness and so it's important to distinguish the two. Physical readiness is self-explanatory and while people develop at different rates I would still say that younger teenagers are higher risk owing to the fact they are still developing a lot and their bodies would struggle to cope with a pregnancy (or indeed abortion) compared with older teenagers. There's no hard-and-fast rule on that obviously but given childbirth mortality statistics when younger teenagers were having children of their own it's probably a good indicator that the body isn't fully ready until mid-to-late teens, which is where most age of consent laws kick in anyway. I would also say that the influence of peer pressure, media images etc. need to be taken into consideration, and the more risk-prone mindset of teenagers generally.

I don't presume to know where a good line is or otherwise, and as Fletcher says it would be arbitrary anyway. If someone displays both physical and emotional readiness, then they should be okay. If not, they should hold back. That applies for teenagers and young adults I add.

[LucyLouWho]

I don't really care what other people do, but I tend to not reply to sex threads that are started by anyone younger than 16 years old. I just don't think it's right to give sex advice to young teenagers, such as 13-14 year olds. I just wouldn't feel right explaining to them how to do something or suggest things to do.

Also, I just wanted to add... older men like sex for the same reasons that teenage guys do and they don't always have sex for the "right" reasons either. I know plenty of guys 22+ who would definitely jump in bed with a woman without a commitment.

[BabyIndia]

I voted yes because people can't tell you when YOUR ready to have sex, it's a decison you have to make on your own.

I also think by shoving don't have sex until your 16 down kids throats is going to make them wait, teens will be teens and will do what THEY think is right.

Someone once said to me,
"When your a teenager it's the only time you will get to experiment and not reallyy regret anything you have done. The teenager years are the silly years"

[anony mouse.]

In my opinion, teenagers are just like adults except with less trust. The teenage years seem to be a time when everything you do is up for debate and discussion. I think if you feel ready, and you know about contraception, and it's with someone you really care about....go for it. Seriously. It's your life, as cliche as that sounds.

[Syzygy.]

I'm in between as well.
It really depends on the people in question.
Some people are mature enough, some aren't.
Ultimately, though, it's their choice, and they'll have to live with the consequences.

[emma01]

[color="DarkOrchid"]

Originally Posted by BabyIndia

[b]
"When your a teenager it's the only time you will get to experiment and not reallyy regret anything you have done. The teenager years are the silly years"

Wow if I had sex and got pregnant I would certainly regret that. Actually I really do regret a lot of things I've done. Also, if I wanted to 'experiment' with the law and went and attacked somebody, hopefully I'd regret that! The teenage years are actually the years where people are silly, but I dont think that is right!

[BabyIndia]

I Meant sexually..
:/

[ApproachingNirvana]

Originally Posted by WOW!USaidSomethingSmart!

Sex is displayed throughout media quite a bit and kids 13 years old know about abortion as well as that sex can to pregnancies. So by that view, 13 year olds are ready mentally to have sex.

are you promoting abortions? Abortions was posted in a ealier thread, but for everyone who says abortions keep the kid factor under control, thus allowing teens to have sex? Don't you guys see how nasty abortions are? Why should a innocent life be sacrificed because 2 teenagers failed to pratice safe sex?

But besides the abortion point, I am for teenage sex. As long as sex edjucation classes remain, and teenagers are aware and pratice safe sex and if theyr'e aware of the "tying the knot" effect and to make sure they are 100% ready, then theyr'e should be no problem with it. Like many users stated, sex is part of our lifestyle.

[emma01]

Originally Posted by BabyIndia

I Meant sexually..
:/

i will rewrite my first sentence then, if i had SEX and got pregnant i WOULD regret it, is that sexual enough for you?

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by u.got.ninja.ed

are you promoting abortions? Abortions was posted in a ealier thread, but for everyone who says abortions keep the kid factor under control, thus allowing teens to have sex? Don't you guys see how nasty abortions are? Why should a innocent life be sacrificed because 2 teenagers failed to pratice safe sex?

No I am not promoting abortions in this thread, although I do support them. I mentioned abortions in my response to whomever it was that suggested teenagers should need to know the outcomes of sex and what could be done should a pregnancy arise. Your conclusion seems to be based on the fact I mentioned abortions in such a thread.

I've seen abortions on videos and pictures, and although it doesn't look pretty, the sight of it doesn't bother me. If something looks bad, I'm not likely to go against it for that reason. Whenever I see or read people using photos or videos of abortions as an argument against them, it's an appeal to the emotions of people.

Your last question is answered throughout abortion threads so I feel no need to bring that here.

Originally Posted by u.got.ninja.ed

But besides the abortion point, I am for teenage sex. As long as sex edjucation classes remain, and teenagers are aware and pratice safe sex and if theyr'e aware of the "tying the knot" effect and to make sure they are 100% ready, then theyr'e should be no problem with it. Like many users stated, sex is part of our lifestyle.

How aware should they be and of what? That is, from the sex ed classes, if they learn of STD's, how aware of STD's should teens be? Should they know what the visible symptoms look like and how they affect the behaviour of those infected, or should they just know that doing certain sexual acts increases the risk of certain STDs? I find it meaningless when people say teens should be aware without saying what they should be aware of and in how much detail.

I don't think even adults nevermind teens who have sex are 100% ready for what can happen (i.e. pregnancy). Some are ready as some want children but for those who don't want children yet, they often aren't prepared to deal with a pregnancy.

[dancinfool]

I don't think even adults nevermind teens who have sex are 100% ready for what can happen (i.e. pregnancy). Some are ready as some want children but for those who don't want children yet, they often aren't prepared to deal with a pregnancy.

So what, we should all be celibate?? I'm not prepared to deal with pregnancy (I thought I was pregnant once and it was TERRIFYING) but that doesn't mean I'm prepared to sacrifice sex, I'm just very careful with contraception.

I'm willing to bet all the people who say they don't believe teens should be having sex don't feel that they themselves are 'emotionally ready'. That's fine, thats YOU but there's plenty of teens out there who are, and who have perfectly happy normal sex lives. Wooop! I realise I'm not actually a teen anymore but I lost my virginity when I was and don't have any regrets. I also think there's a difference between early teens and late teens but obviously as other people have said its different for everybody so generalisations, or any kind of age cut-off where you suddenly become ready for sex are stupid.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by dancinfool

So what, we should all be celibate?? I'm not prepared to deal with pregnancy (I thought I was pregnant once and it was TERRIFYING) but that doesn't mean I'm prepared to sacrifice sex, I'm just very careful with contraception.

People can be celibate if they want but that's not what I was implying. Rather, I was suggesting that the statement of teens being 100% ready before sex from sex ed classes is likely a false one for many teens.

Originally Posted by dancinfool

I'm willing to bet all the people who say they don't believe teens should be having sex don't feel that they themselves are 'emotionally ready'. That's fine, thats YOU but there's plenty of teens out there who are, and who have perfectly happy normal sex lives.

Oddly enough, I recall stating I WAS in support of teens having sex so don't put words in my mouth.

Originally Posted by dancinfool

Wooop! I realise I'm not actually a teen anymore but I lost my virginity when I was and don't have any regrets.

That's wonderful, I did too and don't regret it either.

Originally Posted by dancinfool

I also think there's a difference between early teens and late teens but obviously as other people have said its different for everybody so generalisations, or any kind of age cut-off where you suddenly become ready for sex are stupid.

Agreed.

[Mango D.]

I personally think teenagers (ages 13-19 right?) shouldn't necessarily have sex. i do agree that it is certainly not my business whether they do or not...but the outcome most definitely is. if this turns into an aborted or neglected child, i will make it my business. you may have been ready to have sex, but you weren't ready to have a child...which brings the religious point out. sex was intended for married couples as a way of expressing their love and also for child birth! but then again...if you are using protection...blah i give up.

oh man...i guess this is a never ending argument...i don't know

[ApproachingNirvana]

Originally Posted by WOW!USaidSomethingSmart!

How aware should they be and of what? That is, from the sex ed classes, if they learn of STD's, how aware of STD's should teens be? Should they know what the visible symptoms look like and how they affect the behaviour of those infected, or should they just know that doing certain sexual acts increases the risk of certain STDs? I find it meaningless when people say teens should be aware without saying what they should be aware of and in how much detail.
.

About your points, those are covered in your High School Sex ed. class. We were taught all types of STD's, we learned about the symptoms through pictures/ understanding symptoms and how to prevent them. Basically in our sex ed classes of today. We are taught how to pratice safe sex (i.e what to do if condom breaks, how to wear in properly, how to help prevent preg/std and etc..) For this reason, teenagers should be able to have sex as long as we are aware and know how to safely.

You seem to think that abortions are a way out for couples who don't want their baby (due to unplanned preg, rape and etc.) But they are alternatives to it, why should a baby with potential to have a good future be sacrificed? Take you for example, you seem to be very knowlegble and potential to have a professional career and make an impact on the world, what if you were aborted? The world would miss out on you?

[dancinfool]

Oddly enough, I recall stating I WAS in support of teens having sex so don't put words in my mouth.

My statement did not follow on what I said previously and was in no way directed at you, so I'm not putting words in your mouth at all actually. I just know plenty of people who say they don't believe in sex before marriage until they're in a steady relationship and it feels right or whatever and then their 'no sex before marriage belief' goes out the window. Which may well happen when you're a teen or when you're older (or may never happen depending on the strength of your beliefs).
And I completely agree that sex ed classes don't make you 'ready' for sex, they make you aware of the consequences which is not at all the same thing.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

Originally Posted by Mango D.

I personally think teenagers (ages 13-19 right?) shouldn't necessarily have sex. i do agree that it is certainly not my business whether they do or not...but the outcome most definitely is. if this turns into an aborted or neglected child, i will make it my business. you may have been ready to have sex, but you weren't ready to have a child...which brings the religious point out. sex was intended for married couples as a way of expressing their love and also for child birth! but then again...if you are using protection...blah i give up.

oh man...i guess this is a never ending argument...i don't know

good point, but even married couples use protection, sometimes. Even if they would be able to raise a child should it fail.

[~Mr. Self Destruct~]

Ages of maturity and general readiness greatly vary in this aspect of sexual activity, so the law usually sets the minum age at 16 in the developed nations of the world, in order to cater for the statistic majority.
In Australia, sex is legal below 14 if the participants are no more than 2 years older than one another, but that has a minimum as well (can't remember what) and does not apply to participations where one is 16 or over and the other is not.
Laws are not designed specifically for one person, so of course there will be exceptions.
This said, this issue is raised due to legal systems, which must be upheld to ensure the stability of soceity and civilisation itself.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by u.got.ninja.ed

About your points, those are covered in your High School Sex ed. class. We were taught all types of STD's, we learned about the symptoms through pictures/ understanding symptoms and how to prevent them. Basically in our sex ed classes of today. We are taught how to pratice safe sex (i.e what to do if condom breaks, how to wear in properly, how to help prevent preg/std and etc..) For this reason, teenagers should be able to have sex as long as we are aware and know how to safely.

My high school was rather lax in this and so were other public schools myself or my friends attended. I made the incorrect assumption that although they did teach it, it was a lot more limited. Even for schools that do teach it in detail, they make students aware of what could happen but not how to handle it especially on the emotional level and social levels which are very influential.

Originally Posted by u.got.ninja.ed

You seem to think that abortions are a way out for couples who don't want their baby (due to unplanned preg, rape and etc.) But they are alternatives to it, why should a baby with potential to have a good future be sacrificed? Take you for example, you seem to be very knowlegble and potential to have a professional career and make an impact on the world, what if you were aborted? The world would miss out on you?

Just because I mentioned abortions and not adoptions does not mean I don't support adoptions. If you read any of the weekly or bi-weekly made abortion threads that I've participated in (I'm assuming you also participate as you have strong views on it), you would notice I do support other alternatives. I didn't mention all alternatives I think of because the post would get unnecessarily long and would divert from what this thread is for.

Your questions are rather silly but I'll try to answer them with a straight face. If I was aborted, the outcome would be I wouldn't be here. Would I appreciate being aborted? Well, abortion is killing (not murder and I don't intend to discuss that issue in this thread) so it's like asking would I like to be murdered later in life and what would happen if I was murdered later in life? You can figure out the answers to those questions yourself.

I'd miss out on the world as I'd have the potential to do whatever, the world wouldn't miss out on me because I haven't done anything for the world as a fetus.

Originally Posted by dancinfool

My statement did not follow on what I said previously and was in no way directed at you, so I'm not putting words in your mouth at all actually.

That wasn't clear at all since you stated the opposing side then in capitals said "YOU". But that's aside now.

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Originally Posted by Mango D.

I personally think teenagers (ages 13-19 right?) shouldn't necessarily have sex. i do agree that it is certainly not my business whether they do or not...but the outcome most definitely is. if this turns into an aborted or neglected child, i will make it my business. you may have been ready to have sex, but you weren't ready to have a child...which brings the religious point out. sex was intended for married couples as a way of expressing their love and also for child birth! but then again...if you are using protection...blah i give up.

oh man...i guess this is a never ending argument...i don't know

Why is it your business if someone decides to have an abortion? That is their business and their business only.

And just because you a religious it does not mean other people follow the same beliefs.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

This is a debate forum so you need to give reasoning and/or evidence for what you say. You haven't for a single thing you've said, you gave a set of views you share without explaining anything. Sometimes people give reasoning for a few things they said but you just gave a set of unfounded statements, some of which revealed your perceived superiority over others. It's not feasible to have a debate when you don't give these reasoning as it becomes a back-and-forth, yes-no, he said-she said dialogue. Simple but useless if you want to participate in a debate. With that said, onto the rest...

Originally Posted by Mango D.

I personally think teenagers (ages 13-19 right?)

Yes, "-teen" is in the name of the age range so it would be appropriate to say they're teenagers. You could expand it for a younger age range as they may not be teenagers, your views on sex between them would be the same I'd imagine.

Originally Posted by Mango D.

shouldn't necessarily have sex. i do agree that it is certainly not my business whether they do or not...but the outcome most definitely is.

How is it your business whether they have a child or not? If you're not in their family or a close friend, you don't matter in that.

Originally Posted by Mango D.

if this turns into an aborted or neglected child, i will make it my business.

Once again, what about you is so special that you will interject in relationships where there will be an abortion? It's the potential child of the couple, not yours. It's only their decision, along with the doctor's that matters. If you're not one of those 3 people, you don't matter and your view isn't more important than the next person outside that group of 3. I'm imaging this is very shocking news to you.

Originally Posted by Mango D.

you may have been ready to have sex, but you weren't ready to have a child...

Says who? Some teenage couples do plan for a child and especially when they're older, around 18-19, they may be able to care for the child in the home they want and the rest. They may need assistance financially and in taking care of the child on occasion but some couples have the next few years planned out on the premise they have a child.

What is your reasoning to support your view?

Originally Posted by Mango D.

which brings the religious point out.

Which religion exactly is this, Abrahamic ones or other ones?

Originally Posted by Mango D.

sex was intended for married couples as a way of expressing their love and also for child birth!

So people cant have sex for the pleasure it brings, cant have sex with someone they love, cant have sex as a rite of passage to demonstrate womanhood (i.e. old custom of the mother showing blood stains on the sheets to others from broken hymen or the mother uses chicken blood)

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Originally Posted by WOW!USaidSomethingSmart!

My high school was rather lax in this and so were other public schools myself or my friends attended. I made the incorrect assumption that although they did teach it, it was a lot more limited. Even for schools that do teach it in detail, they make students aware of what could happen but not how to handle it especially on the emotional level and social levels which are very influential.

Just to add as a side note -- at my school these were definitely emphasised. The more clinical sides (what is an STD, different types, contraception etc) were focused in class whereas we had various workshops for the emotional sides, and different touring educational acting groups would come and give us lessons through acting. My experience seems to be typical, certainly similar of the people I have met at University from various parts of the UK.

[DanceCommander]

I voted "no" based solely on the fact that, in most cases I've seen, teenagers weren't physically or emotionally ready to have sex and got hurt directly as a result of that immaturity. I am a very sex positive person, however, and would never try and dissuade someone from having sex, no matter what their age. As long as those teens are well-informed I see absolutely no problem with it.

[Moon Moon]

If a boy or girl has reached puberty, they are physically ready. So what exactly do you mean by not physically ready?

And every teenager I know that has sex knew full well they'd have to accept it if they regretted it. I don't see a problem with it if they think they are ready. Other people can't decide that for them.

[Magic.]

If they both feel ready and comfortable with it, then I see no problem. I do think that more education on safe sex is needed, but obviously it's not just teenagers who don't use protection.
I think teens should wait until they feel ready and mature enough to deal with it, rather thasn feeling pressured to. Sex is sex, there shouldn't be such a big pressure on teens to lose their virginities...

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by Superstar

I voted "no" based solely on the fact that, in most cases I've seen, teenagers weren't physically or emotionally ready to have sex and got hurt directly as a result of that immaturity. I am a very sex positive person, however, and would never try and dissuade someone from having sex, no matter what their age. As long as those teens are well-informed I see absolutely no problem with it.

Then the teens you saw must have been very young because they are physically ready from puberty. Emotionally, that may be a different story.

[Illuminate]

Of course it's okay for Teens to have sex.
I am probably going to get ripped to shreds for this view but why should they suppress their sexual urges till they are 'legal'.
I know I know.. 'it reduces teen pregnancy' and all that but people seem to think that it's bad to have sex at an early age because they 'aren't ready' for it. If they're having sex.. I am pretty sure they know what they are doing.
People break this law all the time. It's stupid really.

[Snufkin]

Originally Posted by RainbowSkies

Of course it's okay for Teens to have sex.
I am probably going to get ripped to shreds for this view but why should they suppress their sexual urges till they are 'legal'.
I know I know.. 'it reduces teen pregnancy' and all that but people seem to think that it's bad to have sex at an early age because they 'aren't ready' for it. If they're having sex.. I am pretty sure they know what they are doing.
People break this law all the time. It's stupid really.

I agree with this. There's really nothing more I can add to that.

[BabyIndia]

Originally Posted by emma01

i will rewrite my first sentence then, if i had SEX and got pregnant i WOULD regret it, is that sexual enough for you?

Originally Posted by emma01

"Also, if I wanted to 'experiment' with the law and went and attacked somebody, hopefully I'd regret that!

I Never mentioned going out and attacking someone, did I? No.

I meant as in experimenting with sex and other sexaul things, nothing mentioned about attacking people.

Stop having a bitch at people because their views are different to yours.

I'm glad I experimented when I was a teenager, and I for one do not regret any of it for one single minute. Everything I did when i was a teenager happend not just for a reason but because I wanted it to. Why go through life regretting hings you've done in your past, deal with i and move on life is to short to regret things.

Oh and just to throw this in the mix as well, just because teenagers get pregnant does not mean all of them regret it or can't look after heir kids.
My sister is teen mother. And her nearly three year old means the world to her and is not classed as a mistake, she's 19 and is coping greatly. Dont generalise everyone.

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Steming from the morals thread I think the crux of the matter is:


I don't presume to know when you are ready to have sex; when you are emotionally, physically or educationally prepared; when you are at an age you won't regret it, or can live with your mistake.

So please get down off your high horse, because for you to presume that you can tell someone that they are or aren't ready is really quite arrogant.

I would advise anyone to have sex when you are ready, not when everyone else wants you to be ready.

Isn't that really what everyone would advise? It's normally applied to a different situation -- advising people not to have sex until they are comfortable and not giving in to pressure (although for what its worth, where I grew up and in all the places I have ever lived, there was never any pressure on anyone to lose their virginity. Two of my closets friends lost their virginity in their 20's). But the message is still the same. Do what's right for you. Because everybody is different, with different rates of physical and emotional development, different lives, different experiences.. what is right for one person is not right for another.

To people that were not ready for sex at 14 or 15 or 16 or 17. That's fine, that's great. That's your experience. Can you not understand that there are people who have not had the same experience as you, and were ready? I think that's what I've been trying to get across -- your experiences are not the same as everyone else. Just as I understand that whilst I was ready when I was younger, lots of people are not.

[emma01]

Originally Posted by BabyIndia

Stop having a bitch at people because their views are different to yours.

I'm glad I experimented when I was a teenager, and I for one do not regret any of it for one single minute. Everything I did when i was a teenager happend not just for a reason but because I wanted it to. Why go through life regretting hings you've done in your past, deal with i and move on life is to short to regret things.

Oh and just to throw this in the mix as well, just because teenagers get pregnant does not mean all of them regret it or can't look after heir kids.
My sister is teen mother. And her nearly three year old means the world to her and is not classed as a mistake, she's 19 and is coping greatly. Dont generalise everyone.

Wait, who's the one having a bitch? If I remember rightly all I said was that I would certainly regret it if I had sex and got pregnant.
No, not all teenagers who get pregnant regret it, but I was saying that I certainly would. Also, I find it terribly hard that you dont regret anything you have done! (and im not just talking about sexual things) You surely have said things to people you think afterwards "uhh maybe I shouldnt have said that"

[BabyIndia]

Originally Posted by emma01

Wait, who's the one having a bitch? If I remember rightly all I said was that I would certainly regret it if I had sex and got pregnant.
No, not all teenagers who get pregnant regret it, but I was saying that I certainly would. Also, I find it terribly hard that you dont regret anything you have done! (and im not just talking about sexual things) You surely have said things to people you think afterwards "uhh maybe I shouldnt have said that"

I Have thought to myself in the past, I shouldn't of said that, I should of said "blah blah" Or I shouldn't have done that, what would of happened if I did this.

I'm not saying i don't regret every single thing in my life, but If i hadn't of done any of that when I was younger, who is to say I'd be where I am today?

I mean look back to something that maybe you shouldn't of done, and think what if i changed it to something else, who's to say that wouldn't change the way your life would pan out.

Something to think about really.

I know I bang on about it alot but life really is too short to be regretting things when you were younger.

I do apologise if I caused offence in my last post though but at the same time it's my opinion, as is your comment.

[BasicFacts]

Teens having sex is the same as adults having sex.
They should also use protection and make sure the other doesn't have STI's or anything like that.
Other than that... I honestly don't see a problem with it.

[Mythic]

We're animals. And teenagers are also incredibly hormonal. Besides the fact that it's natural for teenagers to want to have sex, sex has been shown time and time again to be incredibly healthy, both physically and psychologically. While it's understood that there's no such thing as absolute safe sex (I don't count abstinance, because that's oxymoronic), having both partners use protection makes pregnancy and STD spread unlikely.

At sixteen years old (at least in the U.S.), we're old enough to drive alone. I believe we're old enough to make our own choices about our bodies, too.