Respect Yourself
R U Ready?


Learning about relationships and sex is a normal part of growing up and having a sexual relationship is a healthy adult activity.

However, deciding when is the right time to start having sex can be difficult. Sometimes it helps to talk to an adult about your concerns.

It is easy to be influenced by friends who may tell you that they are already having sex. Sometimes partners can put a lot of pressure on us.


Remember....
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Most people don’t have sex until they are 17 (it is against the law to have sex with anyone under 16 years old)

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Usually sex is best when part of a loving relationship.

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Sex should feel good; it shouldn’t feel uncomfortable or threatening.

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You should have sex to please yourself, not other people.

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You have the right to say “No”. Make sure you say it loud and clear

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If you have had sex before it doesn’t mean you have to carry on having sex

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You are unique and special. It’s up to you what happens to your body.


Thinking about the questions below may help you to decide whether you are ready to have sex:

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Can you and your partner have fun without anything sexual being involved?

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Have you talked about safer sex and condoms to each other?

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Do you have a special connection and does it feel right to have sex?

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Do you think you could say “No” if you wanted to?

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Are you thinking about having sex because you want to, not because someone else is putting pressure on you?

If you can answer “Yes” to all of these questions then you may be ready to have sex but make sure that you feel comfortable and that you use contraception.

See the Talking About Condoms page for help on how to talk about using condoms.