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.