When is the right age for youngsters to become sexually active?

[myles]

When do you think, overall, the younger generation should be allowed to become sexually active? Do you think it should be their choice?

I think currently in the UK the legal age is 16. Do you think this is a mature enough age?

[Yawn]

if there's grass on the field play ball

[Phil]

Personally I don't think it's mature enough. I nIreland it's 17 and in many cases, even that's not mature enough! I think once you're above the legal age, you're personally ready for it, you're aware and you make yourself responsible of the risks that come with it and you're with someone you love, there's not much else anyone can say.

[myles]

Personally I don't think it's mature enough. I nIreland it's 17 and in many cases, even that's not mature enough! I think once you're above the legal age, you're personally ready for it, you're aware and you make yourself responsible of the risks that come with it and you're with someone you love, there's not much else anyone can say.But some irresponsible teenagers can take advantage of the 'legal age'. Do teenagers know about these risks though? Teenage pregnancy is a big deal in our society today and STDs are also becoming quite common. If they knew they were responsible enough they would know about these risks and teenage pregnancy and spread of STDs would be lower than they currently are.

[Cerys]

Imo; whenever they're ready.
Obviously there's a law in place, but it's rare that anyone listens to it anymore.

There's 13y/o's who go out there and do it just so they can brag to their friends etc, then there's people like me who want to wait till the very latest they can.

Imo, I think it's about 18 when you are mature enough and sensible enough to be safe about it etc

[Phil]

But some irresponsible teenagers can take advantage of the 'legal age'. Do teenagers know about these risks though? Teenage pregnancy is a big deal in our society today and STDs are also becoming quite common. If they knew they were responsible enough they would know about these risks and teenage pregnancy and spread of STDs would be lower than they currently are.

Irresponsibility can come at any age though. Teenagers do know about the risks or at least they should as I'm sure we've all had some sort of sex-ed in school or off our parents etc. Any person that has sex and thinks that pregnancy isn't a risk (no offence to any of you) are idiots. If a girl is on the pill, has a bar or whatever and they use a condom it is still a possibility, it's never really off the table.

[Shar]

I think although the legal ages are there people still choose to ignore it. Some people are really ignorant when it comes to protection and STDs as well. I've known people who thought kissing could make them pregnant. I don't think there's a right age but I do think people should educate themselves about STDs and ways to avoid teenage pregnancy etc if they choose to have sex around the age of 16 or whatever.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I actually think to myself, when I look around on nights in town, that the age of 'becoming' an adult should be raised to 21 in line with the United States. But whether it's 18 or 21 (I find it ridiculous that a 16 cannot smoke or buy a glass of wine but can have sex and potentially contract HIV etc) I think it ought to all be on the same age - so when you become 18 or 21 you can do it all in one go.


I think although the legal ages are there people still choose to ignore it. Some people are really ignorant when it comes to protection and STDs as well. I've known people who thought kissing could make them pregnant. I don't think there's a right age but I do think people should educate themselves about STDs and ways to avoid teenage pregnancy etc if they choose to have sex around the age of 16 or whatever.

This point is always made and it seems that with more education that is given on drugs, drinking, sex... the more teenage pregnancies we have, the more abortions we have, the more sexual diseases are spread and so on. It's a pointless exercise. It's the same when they say we need to 'educate' the gay 'community' on the risks of HIV/AIDS - none of it has made a blind bit of difference as HIV rates continue to rise and rise amongst homosexual males. The same applies for when they bang on about educating Africans on sexual risks/having too many children - it's sadly not made the slighest bit of difference.

I think less education in schools about sex, drugs and drink would do a lot of good - and maybe more general disipline in schools would encourage more self-restraint amongst soft headed teenagers.. who, afterall, aren't mature but think they are (as did I when I was 15, 16, 17..).

[Shar]

I actually think to myself, when I look around on nights in town, that the age of 'becoming' an adult should be raised to 21 in line with the United States. But whether it's 18 or 21 (I find it ridiculous that a 16 cannot smoke or buy a glass of wine but can have sex and potentially contract HIV etc) I think it ought to all be on the same age - so when you become 18 or 21 you can do it all in one go.
That's an interesting point you've raised. I haven't actually thought about it like that before to be honest.


This point is always made and it seems that with more education that is given on drugs, drinking, sex... the more teenage pregnancies we have, the more abortions we have, the more sexual diseases are spread and so on. It's a pointless exercise. It's the same when they say we need to 'educate' the gay 'community' on the risks of HIV/AIDS - none of it has made a blind bit of difference as HIV rates continue to rise and rise. The same applies for when they bang on about educating Africans on sexual risks/having too many children - it's sadly not made the slighest bit of difference.
It's sad that it's like that. People really need to be aware of these things, their future literally depends on it.

[MKR&*42]

Don't think there's anything wrong with the current age as long as there's proper education about STDs, consequences of being pregnant as a teenager and so on.

Guarantee even if it was raised to 18, a lot of people would still do it at 16. It wouldn't have any decent effect, as a fair few people I know have lost it whilst they are abroad where the age for consent is stil lower.

[noddy]

i started at 15 and that seemed fine to me, still does

[-:Undertaker:-]

Don't think there's anything wrong with the current age as long as there's proper education about STDs, consequences of being pregnant as a teenager and so on.

We've had lots of 'proper education' and it continues to get worse.

Now what?

[noddy]

We've had lots of 'proper education' and it continues to get worse.

Now what?

The best education is doing it yourself.

[MKR&*42]

We've had lots of 'proper education' and it continues to get worse.

Now what?

I thought someone might say that. Can you think of any reason as to why the problem continues? I think the only reason it does continue is because teens don't really frown upon each other if they lose their virginity at an early, not to mention how much more freedom they have :P

Your point about everything at one age is very interesting though. To add to your example about 16 year old not being able to drink, but can have sex - same problem arises with porn. Not meant to watch it until you're 18 but you can happily replicate it with someone at 16 - now that has always bewildered me.

[Inseriousity.]

It's all culturally based anyway. Wasn't Mary in the Bible likely to be really young, a teenage pregnancy by today's standards but perfectly normal then. I would say whenever you're mature enough and maturity isn't really defined by age but it's a good indicator. You can have immature 40 year olds who should probably never have kids or really mature 16 year olds who should probably enjoy their youth while they've got it but don't. The slippery slope involved in having a system based on maturity though can lead to some terrifying ideas!

[FlyingJesus]

Fairly certain that in America the "Bible Belt" (which doesn't like teaching any sex ed other than DON'T DO IT EVER OR HELL!!!!) has the highest rates of teen pregnancies and abortions, so obviously putting your fingers in your ears and pretending that something doesn't exist is not the best way to teach people

To answer the original question, it's obviously different from person to person. I've known people who didn't feel ready until their late teens and I've known some who were fine with it as soon as they hit high school - we aren't all the same

[Daltron]

16 is the age of consent here in Au too, I think it's about right.

[Aaron]

Well, I suppose when two people are ready. Although that doesn't seem to be the case here, you've got 14 year old girls riding a bloke every week.. riddled fishes! (h)

Think the age over in Ireland is 17, but suppose not everyone does everything by the books.

Suppose when you've knowledge of sex, the diseases that can come with it, pregnancy and you feel ready.

[e5]

I don't think the law will stop 2 young people having sex if they want to have it to be honest lol. 16 is fine imo

[Rocco_Veneruso]

I'd personally say 15/16 as long as contraception is used