Sexual Pressure 

There are many reasons people decide not to have sex.  But what can you say if someone you really care about is trying to talk you into it?  Look below for tips on how to respond to sexual pressure.  Remember, it's your body and you always have the right to say "no" to sex.

20 Ways to Respond to Sexual Pressure

Everyone's doing it.  Why can't we?
I'm not everyone and I know what's right for me.

Don't worry.  I'll pull out.
No way!  It only takes one drop of semen to get pregnant.  And I'm definitely not ready to be a parent.

I heard you did it with Chris.
And you believe it?  I'm not with Chris anymore because I didn't like getting pressured all the time.

Can't we do it just this once?
Yeah, right.  And next time you'll say "We did it before . . ." I don't want sex to change our relationship.

You're still a virgin?  What are you waiting for?
I've thought about this.  I'm waiting until I know I can handle sex and whatever comes after.

Almost half of all 17 year olds have not had sex.  They may want to wait until marriage.  Or they may worry about getting pregnant or becoming infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).  Whatever the reason, they're choosing abstinence.

You can't resist me - you know you want it.
Yeah, I think you're hot!  But you gotta take me seriously when I say no.

I'm dying here - you've got me all excited.
NO.  I really mean it.  Maybe you should go home now.

You're worried about AIDS?  I'm so insulted.  What do you think I am?
I think you're a wonderful person who had sex before.  Did you know that you could be infected with HIV or another STD and not know it?

It's OK.  I have a condom.
I'm glad you're thinking about protection, but I still don't want to risk it.

Condoms aren't a guarantee.  There is still a risk of pregnancy and STDs.  The most reliable protection is choosing not to have sex.

I love you and we're going to get married someday.  Why wait?
I want our wedding night to be special.  Why not wait?

I'll make you feel so good.
I already feel good.  And, I really don't want to go any further.

We're all alone.  It's the perfect time.
It's not perfect until we're both ready.

We had sex before.
We were lucky we didn't end up dealing with a pregnancy.  I don't want to keep taking chances.

Even if you had sex before, you can say "no" now.  Many teens wish they'd waited after they have sex.  You can decide not to have sex again.

If you get pressure from your friends...

You'll lose him if you don't do it.
Having sex doesn't guarantee we'll stay together.  I could still get dumped.  If he loves me, he'll wait.

Be a man.  Go for it.
This isn't a game.  I'll do it when I'm ready - not when somebody else thinks I should.

Why not?  Are you gay or something?
I'm not going to have sex just to prove something.

Whether you're attracted to guys or girls, having sex doesn't prove you're heterosexual.  You can be gay, straight - or not sure - and still not have sex.

If you won't, somebody else will.
That's OK.  I don't want to lose you, but I respect my body.  And I want to be with someone who does, too.

I'm moving away tomorrow.  It's our last chance.
I'll miss you.  But having sex - and then being apart from you - would be worse.

You would if you loved me.
I do love you.  But I don't want to risk a pregnancy or STDs.  I want to finish school and get my career going without complications.

If you really loved me, you'd want to show me.
If you really loved me, you wouldn't pressure me.

Love and sex aren't the same.  Some people have sex when they're not in love.  And, you can love someone deeply and still choose abstinence.

No matter what the situation, or how much you care about someone, you always have the right to say "no" to sex.