Are We Ready?

What are your own attitudes toward sex, and what do you really know? Getting to the heart of that answer can be harder than it seems. Figure out how you feel first, even before you talk to your partner.

Think about the following questions:

• • What do I know about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

  • What do I know about pregnancy?

  • Do I know how to lower the chance of pregnancy and STIs?

  • Can you and your partner talk openly about sex and the prevention of pregnancy, STIs, and HIV?

  • How does having sex fit in with my personal values?

  • How does sex fit in with the values of your culture, family, and religion?

  • Do I trust and respect my partner?

  • Does my partner trust and respect me?

  • Do either myself or my partner feel pressured about sex?

  • What will we do if sex results in pregnancy and/or disease?

If you don't know much about pregnancy and STIs, and don't know how to prevent them, you aren't ready.

If you can't talk with your partner about pregnancy; birth control; and/or STI protection, trust, respect, your likes and your dislikes, you aren't ready.

Both of you must feel this is the right time to introduce sex into your relationship and reach that decision without any pressure. You must be able to agree on issues such as birth control and STI prevention.