Sex Myths and Teenagers

By Teresa Ambord

If teens are going to be sexually active, they should at least have accurate information. As recently as 2002, only 60% of high schools taught sex education. In the meantime, there are a lot of myths out there that are surprisingly common. And for sexually active teens that believe them, they are dangerous.

Educate Yourself

If your school or your parents do not provide accurate information about sex, take responsibility and find out for yourself before it's too late. Here are just a few of the more common misconceptions:

Pregnancy

  • Myths: Girls cannot get pregnant if they: have sex while standing up, or if they use a douche right after sex, or if they are on their period.
  • Fact: The only time you definitely cannot get pregnant is when you are already pregnant. Position does not matter. A douche is not quick enough. And relying on the time of the month as a contraceptive requires education in body rhythms and many months or years of studying your cycle. And even then, it is far from reliable.

Who's Having Sex?

  • Myth: Everyone is doing it.
  • Fact: Don't believe the lie. According to a PBS special, more than half of teenagers are still virgins by age 17. But even if everyone is doing it, the only thing that matters is what is right for you.

Hollywood

  • Myth: Movies and TV accurately portray sex.
  • Fact: Hollywood is trying to sell a product, not truth, so they package teenage sex up in a pretty way. If we believe the entertainment media, all normal teenagers are sexually active, and sex automatically occurs with romantic music and lighting, sexually transmitted diseases are seldom an issue, and condoms don’t fail.

Again, don't buy the lie. Since teenagers are usually trying to have sex on the sly, their first sexual experiences are more likely to take place in uncomfortable, possibly cold settings like cars. It's usually quick and often painful for girls. And forget romance. Romance requires planning and resources that are usually unavailable to teenagers who are probably trying to avoid getting caught.

It'll Make a Man or Woman Out of You

  • Myth: Having sex makes you an adult.
  • Fact: Adulthood has nothing to do with giving in to physical drives. Exercising self-control is a much more reliable sign of maturity than following instincts that any animal can follow.

Macho Males

  • Myth: Real men don’t use condoms.
  • Fact: While condoms do reduce feeling somewhat, the alternative is risking pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. Failing to act responsibly is never proof of maturity or virility or true love. Real men are responsible, self-controlled, self-disciplined, and respecting of themselves and their partners.

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