Stefanie, 18, is a freshman in college, but unlike most of her friends, she's still a virgin. One night, she and her girlfriends are sitting around their dorm room trading stories about their sexual experiences. Stefanie isn't saying anything, when suddenly her friend Megan turns to her:
Megan: You're awfully quiet, Stef. Come on, we want details!
Stefanie: Well, I don't have any. I'm still a virgin.
Megan: Really? I think you're my only friend who hasn't done it. But that's really cool. I am curious though. What are you waiting for?
You're Stefanie. What do you say?
"I've seen so many of my friends get hurt after sleeping with someone, so I'm okay with waiting. Now I'm just worried that the first guy I sleep with will think it's weird, so I probably won't tell him."
"I'm so not ready to get pregnant and I don't even want to chance it. I know it may sound silly to some people, but waiting works for me."
"It's not really a decision. I just haven't dated a lot of people. I‘m thinking about hooking up with someone for one night just to get it over with."
"I'm not against sex or anything, but I think it should be with someone you love, who you are in a committed relationship with. I haven't had that yet, but when I do, I know I'll be glad I waited."
The only foolproof way to prevent a pregnancy is to not have sex. Getting pregnant and becoming a parent before you're ready is the fastest way to derail your education and other goals.
Mario and Nina, both 17, have been dating for two years and they've been having sex for about a year. A couple of months ago, they had a pregnancy scare and Nina vowed that she'd never have unprotected sex again. But tonight, they're alone at Nina's house and about to have sex, when Nina realizes they have no condoms handy.
Nina: Stop, Mario. I told you, no more taking chances. Luckily I wasn't really pregnant last time but I never want to go through that kind of scare again!
Mario: Ugh, but I want you so much. Don't stop now. I'll be really careful, I promise. Plus, you just had your period, right? You can't get pregnant now anyway.
You're Nina. What do you say?
"You're probably right about that, but I still don't think it's a good idea. We should stop."
"Mario, I can get pregnant any time we have sex. Remember how freaked out we were when we thought I might be pregnant? I can't go through that again."
"I want you, too. I guess since I didn't actually get pregnant last time, I probably won't this time either. Just this once, OK?"
"Yeah, the chances of me getting pregnant right now are so slim. OK, but you still need to be really careful."
If you have sex regularly without using protection there's an 85% chance you'll get pregnant within one year. Luckily there are lots of forms of protection you can use. Look into all the options and decide which one will work best for you.
Sarah, Amaya, Christie, and Tabitha, all 15 and all freshmen in high school, get invited to a party by Sarah's older brother, who's a high school senior. It's their first real party and they want to seem like they fit in. When someone at the party offers them lemonade spiked with vodka, they gladly drink up. Toward the end of the night, they're all tipsy, but Tabitha is flat out wasted and totally making out with Jay, an older guy she just met.
Sarah: Come on, T, it's time to go. My brother is giving us a ride home now.
Jay: Actually, Tabitha's going to hang out for a while. I'll bring her home later.
Tabitha: Yesssssss, Saaaaarah. I don't want to go home. I like him. [Turns to Jay] Um, what was your name again?
You're Sarah. What do you do?
Grab her arm firmly and drag her out of the party. She hates you now, but she'll thank you in the morning—if she even remembers leaving.
Threaten to call her mom if she doesn't get her butt outside pronto.
Leave her there. There are worse things than hooking up with a hot senior guy.
Leave her behind, but ask your brother's best friend to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets home safely. He's definitely sober and he's always got your back.
If you're drunk or high, it's hard to make good decisions about sex – lots of teens say they've done something when using drugs or alcohol that they might not have done if they were sober. Don't do something you might regret, or might not even remember.
Charlie and Sam have been playing Modern Warfare 2 on XBox for hours. The game's intensity doesn't leave much time for talking, until Charlie mentions that he's got a date with Elena tonight, who he's had a crush on forever. He really wants to make a good impression on her.
Sam: Dude, Elena is smokin' hot. And I hear she's not shy either. You're totally getting into her pants tonight. Don't blow it! I want details.
You're Charlie. How do you respond?
"Even if she wanted to, I wouldn't sleep with her tonight. She is hot, but she's also smart and funny. I think she's girlfriend material and I don't want to ruin that by rushing things."
"What are you, my sister? I'll tell you when there's something to tell."
"I'm going to see what she thinks before I make a move. It doesn't have to happen tonight, but I wouldn't stop it if it did. My brother gave me some condoms so I'm ready."
"Aw, yeah! Trust me, you'll be the first to know."
Girls aren't the only ones who feel pressure to have sex. Nearly 8 out of 10 guys say there is way too much pressure on them to have sex — from their friends, society, and from girls. One out of every five guys says they have been pressured by a girl to go farther sexually than they wanted to. Boys can say "no" too—even if they've said "yes" before.
Mia, 15, has had a crush on Matt, 17, all year long. Matt is always flirting with her, but he never asks her out. She really wants him to make a move. One night, Mia and her friend Lauren are getting ready to go to a party, when Lauren whips out her phone and snaps a picture of Mia in her bra and underwear. "I should send this to Matt," Lauren says slyly, as her finger hovers over the 'Send' button. “If that doesn't show him what he's missing, what will?”
You're Mia. How do you respond?
"Wait, don't send him that picture. At least let me pose first!"
"Only if you make him swear that it's for his eyes ONLY. Lots of people send stuff like this to their crushes, right?"
"Don't do it. If he sees me half-naked on his phone, what's he going to expect me to do with him if we ever manage to get some time alone?"
"Stop. That's like the worst idea I've ever heard. Once you send him that photo, I have no control over who else sees it. The entire school does not need to see me in my underwear."
Here's something for you to think about before you press SEND: One-third of teens say that their peers who share sexy text messages and images of themselves are “expected” to put out. Is that really the impression you want to make?
Though she's only a freshman, Anna has been getting a lot of attention from the older guys at her school. One of them, a hottie named Tim, is taking her out later tonight. Anna and her best friend Cara are trying to pick out a the perfect outfit.
Anna: I don't know what to wear. I just want him to like me and think I'm cool.
Cara: He already does. Everyone knows that Tim doesn't date just any girl. You have to be special. And not a total prude.
Anna: What do you mean?
Cara: Well he's a senior. Older guys expect certain things. You know, sexually. Don't think a peck on the cheek at the end of the night is going to cut it. Not if you want a second date.
You're Anna. How do you respond?
"Sure, but if I give it up too fast, he probably won't call me then either. I'll definitely hook up with him, and hopefully I'll be able to stop it before we go all the way."
"I'm not ready for sex. Plus I don't even know this guy. If he's expecting something from me, it's not happening."
"Sex is a huge step in a relationship and if that's what he's expecting on the first date, we won't be having a second. But those could just be rumors. I'll let you know if he tries anything."
"If Tim only wants to date me because he thinks I'll sleep with him, then he's not boyfriend material at all. I'm not going to have sex until I'm good and ready. I don't care how hot he is."
The younger teens are when they first have sex, the more likely they are to regret it. When teen girls date guys three or more years older, they are more likely to have sex and are less likely to use protection.
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