Right age to have sex

[Rinoa]

I'm in the middle of a research paper, and I need a little help with phrasing everything, and a good debate seems to help me think it through.

When do you guys believe the right age to have sex is? And why do you believe that people are ready for sex at that age?

Personally, I don't believe that you should have sex at least until you're out of high school. This is because of the psychological maturation that doesn't occur until you have real responsibilities, as well as the physical development of the female body.

[DestroyTheFuture]

it is right when you understand each persons repsonsibilities. this age i think is 16+

but, when a was 14, i understood mine and my partners responsibilities and so in some cases, people are ready before 16.

(by the way, im still a virgin, but im just saying that when i was 14, i think that i could have had sex because i was ready for it)

[0=]

There is no specific age. It is all a question of maturity.

[Sage]

For the most part, I agree with Rinoa. While 0= is right that it is a matter of maturity, the majority of all people arent mature enough until their out of highschool. Remember, majority.

[Hyper]

Everyone is different

[Sage]

"Yes, you're unique, just like everyone else.."

Paradox anyone?

[MoveAlong]

I kinda agree with 16+. People are more mature at that age and probably emotionally ready for it.

Some guys at my school say they've done all these things, but meh. They're immature and are lying or not really ready for it.
It's kinda hard to say - I'd dream of things but I wouldn't do anything until I was ready for it, which would be def 16+

[Rinoa]

Subliminal Tim- Well said. Thank you.

There are alot of people who seem to believe that If you've started the menstrual cycle(generally around age 12) you're ready for it...but in this day and age it isn't true. It used to be that when a person hit puberty they were mature enough to be considered adults in their society. But now kids are beginning puberty an average of six years before they have the adult responsibilities at age 18.

I have a question for those that say sixteen year olds are ready. Can a sixteen year old honestly handle every possible consequence of sex? Let's say the girl gets pregnant, she is 50% more likely to have a premature baby at that age because her body is not equipped to nourish a child full-term. She is also more likely to need a C-section because, in many cases, pelvic widening has not completed enough to have room for the baby to fit down the birth canal. After the baby is born how well can the mother support the child? At that age she won't even have a high school degree, or real work experience, which means that she will not be able to make more than 20,000 dollars a year, she'll make 15,000 if she's lucky. Which sounds like alot, but in order to be able to comfortably afford to move out into and apartment(sans baby) you need to make around 25,000 a year. Does it really sound like a sixteen year old is physically ready and able to carry the responsibility of sex on their own?

[Fiending_the_freedom]

you cant truly say whats the right age, everyones differnent in there maturity.

[Rinoa]

The differing maturity level argument:

Yes we do all acheive the correcct level of maturity for sex at a different age, but I think we can all agree that there are ages at which it is impossible to be ready for sex. 7 Is way too young for example. We all believe that readiness for sex is dependent on maturity level. At what age do you believe it is possible to have attained the maturity level required?

[Makod]

You can start having sex when your organs are ready for it. ^^

But, you may or may not be prepared for the consequences.

[MoveAlong]

I have a question for those that say sixteen year olds are ready. Can a sixteen year old honestly handle every possible consequence of sex? Let's say the girl gets pregnant, she is 50% more likely to have a premature baby at that age because her body is not equipped to nourish a child full-term. She is also more likely to need a C-section because, in many cases, pelvic widening has not completed enough to have room for the baby to fit down the birth canal. After the baby is born how well can the mother support the child? At that age she won't even have a high school degree, or real work experience, which means that she will not be able to make more than 20,000 dollars a year, she'll make 15,000 if she's lucky. Which sounds like alot, but in order to be able to comfortably afford to move out into and apartment(sans baby) you need to make around 25,000 a year. Does it really sound like a sixteen year old is physically ready and able to carry the responsibility of sex on their own?

I'm not saying they'll be ready for the consequenses - if you want to risk it without a condom and contraseptive, then you need to be older. I'm saying emotionally ready to have sex. I'd be emotionally ready at age 16.

However, I wouldn't want to risk pregnancy and STDs at such a young age. Me, I don't have to worry about pregnancy AT ALL...
In my situation, I'd go for 16+ (enphisis on the +), not the night that I turn 16, maybe 5 months into my 16th year.

But for the overall population, I'd say out of high school would be good (although I do NOT use least or most in here! This is an average)

[DestroyTheFuture]

The differing maturity level argument:

Yes we do all acheive the correcct level of maturity for sex at a different age, but I think we can all agree that there are ages at which it is impossible to be ready for sex. 7 Is way too young for example. We all believe that readiness for sex is dependent on maturity level. At what age do you believe it is possible to have attained the maturity level required?


14.

the reason why its possible?

because when i was 14, i was mature enough to have sex.

i knew a girl who had sex with her boyfriend. and they were both 13, and they both started puberty pretty early (about 10 for the girl, 11 for the guy)

the girl regrets it, and she doesn't think that she was old enough (not mature enough)

i agree, and i think that 13 is too young to have sex (in America at least) because when i was 13, i dont think i understood the maturity level fully.

[MoveAlong]

14.

Well maybe that was for you, but some people just aren't ready for it yet. As a majority, I think it's years older for more. Although some are mature enough for it at 14.
Maturity is based on more than one thing...but that's another topic.

[Break the Cage]

6.

[Hyper]

Lol.. To maybe elaborate what BtC meant..

See people teenagers will have sex if they're ready or not, and if people started having sex when they could be prepared for every consequence we'd have 23 year old virgins everywhere. The maturity issue is different for everyone but mostly the most immature ones seem to loose their virginity very fast and early but take your conclusions from that ;P

[Sapphire]

See people teenagers will have sex if they're ready or not, and if people started having sex when they could be prepared for every consequence we'd have 23 year old virgins everywhere.

QFT
With the prominence of sex and the bombardment of sexual images/innunedos we are all exposed to through the media, people are going to have sex regardless of whether they are mature enough.

[Dameon]

First of all this is a great topic to do a report on...though this probably doesn't help, I think assigning a specific age capable of bearing the emotional baggage of sex is a little vague. Sure, you COULD really have the maturity required, but then again you still might not. Sex is more than reproduction( duh :P) and more than pleasure. Sex is emotionally demanding. I think age isn't the domineering factor, it's relationship. If that SOLID foundation isn't there, you'll crumble under the weight of the resulting load. There's a "promise" in sex and I think that sometimes we find it hard to try and fulfill someone else's needs before our own (which could go back to age...). Overall, I'd have to say the strength (longevity...) of the couple's relationship is of the utmost importance.


I hoped I helped you.:)

[MrPeace]

it all depends

[Break the Cage]

Lol.. To maybe elaborate what BtC meant..
how do you know what i meant?
it was a joke..

[Whisper]

i'm 19yrs old 20 in september
physically i'm like done with puberty
mentally honestly I could raise a kid
i've helped to raise my nephew since he was born
and I know my fam would help
so that dosent scare me at all

I just don't see me trusting somebody that much
I have no intrest in letting anyone that close


everybodys diffrent

[Latino_Teen]

Chef: 17. just 17...

[Sapphire]

I just don't see me trusting somebody that much
I have no intrest in letting anyone that close

You see, I have never looked at sex as the ultimate state of intimacy. I don't see it as containing any dramatic or profound emotions. I can have sex with someone and still not love them or trust them completely.

But, as you said, everyone's different.
In a way your approach is the most mature out of yours and mine.