So what is the big deal with sex?
 
The short answer is - sex is powerful.  As Uncle Ben says to Peter Parker in Spider-man, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” 
 
Sex is only one part of a relationship. 
 
Take a look around to get answers to your most frequently asked questions for teens about sex.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Consider the Risks

teens and sex, teen sex and regret, teen sex and depression, teen sex and self-esteem, teens and STD's and STI's

Think everyone is having sex?  Statistics show that over 50% of teens are not.
 
In fact, studies show there are more risks to teens when it comes to sex.
Do you know what the risks are?
 
 
The risk of regret
 
It might come as a surprise, that many people who have had sex wish they would have waited.
 
In a recent study, it was found that more than 50% of boys and 70% of girls wished they would have waited longer to have sex.
 
Premarital sex can lead to emotional distress.
 
In the same study, some teens were said to have experienced emptiness and regret afterwards. Sexual relationships are more than just a physical act, they also involve our feelings and emotions.
 
 
The risk of losing a relationship
 
When you have sex with someone, you now know each other in a very intimate way. This will change your relationship. The problem is that you don’t know how it will change, until it’s too late.
 
For example, a teen might feel that sex is very special. After having sex, this teen might want to have a more serious relationship. However, the girlfriend or boyfriend doesn’t feel the same way and actually wants some space.
 
This leaves the two teens to have to now decide what their relationship will be. People that wait to have sex within marriage also have it easier. Their relationships are already defined.
 
Finally, not every relationship should or will lead to marriage. It just makes sense then that not all relationships should lead to sex!
 
 
The risk of damaging your self-esteem
 
Self esteem is what you think of yourself. It is also based on how you believe other people see you.
 
 
Self - Esteem
  • is the value you have for youself
  • is the respect you have for yourself
  • is based on how you think others view you
  • is based on how you feel about yourself
For many teens, self image is connected to what their friends and peers think about them. 
 
Some teens believe having sex will increase their popularity or self – image. However, a young person might feel embarrassed, ashamed, or think that their friends or others think differently of them.
 
If someone wants to date you because they think that you will have sex, they don't like really like you for you.
Research shows that teens who have sex - are more likely to have many partners - and more likely to get pregnant or get a STD, which really could lead to having low self-esteem.
 
 
The risk of catching an STI
 
Because more young people are likely to have multiple partners and engage in unprotected sex, teens are at high-risk for catching a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).
 
Young women are even more prone to certain STI's like Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Doesn't sound nice or fair, but that's what studies show.
 
While many of these STI's are treatable, they are often undetected by young women that have them. Untreated, an STI can cause health problems (like infertility) later.
 
 
The risk of catching an incurable STI
 
There 65 million people are living with an incurable STI.  Many of those people don’t even know they have it.
 
Even though many incurable STI's, like herpes, are usually not considered life threatening, they cannot be cured - -  ever. The person living with this type of STI will live with it all their lives.
 
A person living with an incurable STI may have emotional and relational side effects.
 
For instance, imagine that you have found that one special person with whom you want to share your life. How will you feel when you tell them that you have a life-long STI?   That's not an easy thing to have to say to someone you love.
 
 
The risk of depression
 
Teen girls who are sexually active are two times as likely to become depressed. Being sexually active in an uncommitted relationship also increases the risk of depression.
 
Do you think that teens who are first depressed are more at risk of having sex? Wrong! It’s actually that teen girls are having sex and then are at risk of becoming depressed.  
 
Depression can be very serious. Teens who are depressed often feel: sad, hopeless, and angry, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, have difficulty with relationships, communication, and low self-esteem.