The United States is not the best when it comes to teaching youths about sex. Most schools preach abstinence to an extent even though they know that is not going to be everyone's game plan. Millennials these days are also letting the media teach them what sex is supposed to be like instead of learning from real people that have gone through real experiences.Rather than scolding people for having sex, I think that is important to supply them with the information they need so that if they are going to be sexually active, they can do so safely.
Behold, ten things that I believe every young person should know about sex.
1. The media has it all wrong.
Sex is not always this graceful, mind blowing experience. Sex has been highly sensationalized by the media and it is a serious problem. People are exposed to the media's portrayal of intercourse at a very early age; therefore, it is giving people preconceptions about what sex will be like, so when the time comes, everything is different from what they expect. There is a difference between the raunchy sex scenes we see on television and a real life sexual encounter that involves bodily fluids and occasional uncomfortable positioning.
2. Get educated on chlamydia.
Chlamydia is not talked about nearly as much as it should be. Chlamydia is one of the most easily contracted sexually transmitted diseases. The issue with chlamydia is that people often experience no symptoms. It is possible to go months without having any clue you have been exposed to it. This is why it is so important to get tested. GET TESTED ALL THE TIME. If sexually active, you should be getting tested at least once or twice a year. If you are with multiple partners unprotected, you should be getting tested for each one on top of your annual test.
3. Talk to your partner before engaging in intercourse.
Be it a one night stand or a significant other, it is important to talk about every aspect of what may or may not be occurring in your sex life. It's only awkward if you make it that way. Be upfront and go through everything that you might be worried about. Any insecurities, likes or dislikes, past experiences that have stuck with you, etc. Make sure it is going to be an enjoyable experience for the both of you.
4. Tell your partner if you're a virgin.
If this fact scares someone, they are not worth losing your virginity to. In my opinion, telling someone that you're a virgin is also disclosing the fact that you find them worthy of you. If they are receptive and courteous of that fact, you're in the clear. If there are major hesitations, keep your V-card and move on.
5. Sex is messy.
Remember those bodily fluids from the first point? Yeah, get used to it. Not only do both sexes have their own lubricants, but females in particular deal with the possibility of spotting or even starting their period. Spotting is extremely common if one is on birth control or is close to starting their period. Bruising of the cervix also occurs on occasion and can result in bleeding. The best way to handle these situations is to be an adult. Sex is no light matter and neither is the clean up. Things happen, so deal with them maturely.
6. Birth control is not the equivalent of a condom.
Birth control may be effective in preventing pregnancy, but it is no use when it comes to STDs. Even so, birth control can fail (just ask my parents). Unless you have discussed what would happen if pregnancy occurred and are 100 percent certain that neither partner has an STD, you should not be having sex without a condom.
7. Sex in public places is not cute.
Public places are a smorgasbord for bacteria. Think about that the next time you partake in certain activities in public.
8. Beware of UTIs.
Although both sexes can develop a UTI, it is far more common in women. This is simply because sex pushes bacteria up into the vaginal cavity. A UTI can be characterized by frequent urination with little urine output and burning during urination. It is easily cured but also easily prevented: urinate after sex. Many people do so before, but that doesn't help much. Urinating after sex can flush out some of that new bacteria.
9. Don't ask someone how many people they have had sex with.
It may seem like a simple question, but it implies a sense of shame if one person has been with more than the other. As long as your partner is free of STDs and is not with anyone else while they are with you, their number should not matter. They are with you now. What more do you need?
10. Stop it with the explicit playlists.
Some may find it pretty difficult to get it on to Trey Songz singing about "diving in" so to speak.
Learn all that you can about sex. If you don't understand part of it, you should not be having it!
