by Elizabeth Bailey

Created on: February 07, 2009

"When you are in love." That was the most common answer I recieved when I asked a few of my teenage friends when they think a teen is ready for sex. I also recieved answers such as "when they turn 17 and are legal to consent", "when they are emotionally stable", and even "when they are mature enough to talk about sex without giggling."

While all of these answers seem valid to many teens, I don't agree with any of them. I believe that the correct answer is that no teen is ready for sex. The fact that they are still classified as a teen, rather than an adult not only describes their age, but also their stage in life. They are caught somewhere in between child and adult; too old for imaginary companions, but too young to their life on their own. Teens are characterized by rapid physical changes, temperamental emotions, raging hormones, and overestimation of their maturity, none of which are favorable when combined with sex.

One of the most important things that an individual should have an understanding of before becoming sexually active is disease and pregnancy prevention. Unfortunately, the majority of teenagers have not had a reliable education on the practices of safe sex. Becuase it is still considered a social faux pas to openly discuss sexual activities in detail, it is difficult for teens to obtain accurate information about the specifics of sex. They learn from television, movies, books, magazines, and their peers how to use condoms or the contraceptive pill. Granted this is important basic information, many teenagers use birth control incorrectly and it is rendered ineffective. It is very important for a person to have a serious discussion about birth control and disease prevention with a licensed doctor before becoming sexually active.

Even if a teen has learned about and understands disease and pregnancy prevention, they rarely consider what would happen if their method of birth control fails. Becuase the only 100% effective method of birth control and disease prevention is abstinence, when a teen becomes sexually active there is no guarantee that they won't become pregnant or infected with a sexually transmitted disease. STD's can be in the best case, extremely uncomfortable and embarrasing, and in the worst case, lethal. This obligates sexually active teens to have regular check-ups with their OB/GYN or other doctor, which many do not. It is obvious that enduring pregnancy, giving birth, and caring for a child is not easy as a teenager. Becuase of this,

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