Are you ready to have sex?
The first time – and every time – you are thinking of having sex, you should consider why you are doing it. Make sure it’s for your own reasons and not because of pressure from your partner, your friends, or others – or because of what you’ve seen online or in the media.
Pressure to have sex – and pressure to wait – comes from everywhere. In the end it’s your decision and the best way you can decide is to get all the information you need and then consider both the benefits and the consequences.
You need to feel comfortable about your decision – to go ahead or to wait.
Once you’ve made your decision, you need to let your partner do the same – and be respectful of their decision, whether it’s the same as yours or not. This means that you can also change your mind if all of a sudden you thought you felt comfortable and don’t anymore.
Forcing someone to have sex when they’ve said no is a crime. Read more in the section on Sexual Assault.
Sex should be a pleasure for both of you, and it is no pleasure if it is not what you want, whether it is your first time – or any time. Make sure you have the information you need to be safe.
