Safe sex means exactly that "safe" is in terms of having sex without getting a contagious disease from your sex partner(s). Correctly used, it has the following outcomes:

1. Acts as a contraception -- it prevents pregnancy.

2. It prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and infestations.

3. It prevents the transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis and other blood-borne viruses.

In our generation today, safe sex is not practiced as it should. At our age, the majority of us are not married, and 9 times out of 10, are dating someone who we will in fact not marry anyway. The assumption that your partner is STD free or that using condoms makes sex less pleasurable is not a good one. On the New York Times, they're calling us the "no condom culture" because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of American students using condoms hit its peak at around 60 percent. Condoms offer the best available protection against STD's by acting as a physical barrier to prevent the exchange of semen, vaginal fluids or blood between partners. Many people don't know that when having oral and anal sex, a condom should be used as well.

Few are aware about condoms for females as well. The female condom resembles a regular condom made of polyurethane, but is designed to fit inside the vagina. The female condom is pre-lubricated and is "one size fits all." You should use other barrier methods, for example, condoms on dildos and other penetrative sex toys, a latex glove for digital penetration of the vagina or anus and a dental dam (a sheet of latex worn over the female genitals) during oral sex. It's important we practice safe sex because it's just safer and healthier for your bodies. Getting pregnant unexpectedly can pressure you into decisions you don't want to make. If you are under the age of 16, you should wait to have sex until your fully educated on doing so. Many don't know that sex is for reproducing, their minds only focus on the fact that it feels good. But there is a reason why sperm and eggs are in our bodies and when they meet it's all for reproduction. As young adults, it's up to us to make the change and it starts with you today!