Many Teens Are Saying “No.

” DON’T

BE FOOLED into thinking most teenagers are having

sex. THEY AREN’T!! There's a lot to know and think

about before you decide to say "yes" to having sex. 

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Office of Public Health and Science - Office of Population Affairs

Teen Talk #1

“You Are More

than Just a

Body”

During the teen years, you may be

strongly attracted to another

person. Your body may send you

strong messages that make you

want to get closer to that person.

But your body won’t tell you how

having sex now may harm you. 

You may not know that:

Almost 1,000,000 teens become

pregnant each year. Abstinence —

not having sex — is the only 100%

sure way to protect against the risk

of pregnancy.

Teens are more likely to have

problems during pregnancy.

Babies of young, teen mothers are

more likely to be born with serious

health problems.

Sexually transmitted diseases

(STDs) are at epidemic levels.

Abstinence — not having sex — is

the only 100% sure way to avoid

herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea,

chlamydia, and HIV/AIDS. One in

four teens who has sex gets 

an STD.

“You Are More

Than Feelings”

Sexual feelings can be pretty

strong! So think before you act.

Think about your future. Think

about the consequences. 

Think about yourself! Ask

yourself, “Is it better to wait for

sex with my life partner?”

STDs can be painful. They can

make it impossible to have a

baby. Some are incurable, and

some may even cause death. 

Face it! Sex for teens is pretty

risky to your body, feelings and

future! 

Some

Questions To

Ask Yourself

There’s a lot to know before

making your decision about

whether to say “yes” or “no” to

having sex. Here’s a checklist

to help you decide:

 Would my parents

approve of me

having sex now?

 If I have a child, am

I responsible enough

to provide for its

emotional and

financial support?

 If the relationship

breaks up, will I be

glad I had sex with

this person?

 Am I sure no one is

pushing me into

having sex?

 Do I know how to tell 

my partner I don’t want 

to have sex now?

If any of your answers to these

questions is “NO,” then you’d

better WAIT.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Office of Public Health and Science

Office of Population Affairs

Yes No

WWaaiitt

TThhiinnkk

Talk

 When I get married, 

will I be glad I waited 

to have sex?

 Am I absolutely sure

my partner is not 

infected with an STD

including HIV/AIDS?
 “I enjoy being with you, but I 

don’t think I’m old enough to 

have sex.”

 “I don’t feel like I have to give 

you a reason for not having

sex. It’s just my decision.”

ALSO, there are different ways to

show affection for another person

without having sex.

Try to avoid situations where

sexual feelings become strong.

“Stopping” is much harder then.

Talk about your feelings and what

seems right for you. Stay busy with

sports and group activities.

If you and your partner can’t

agree, then maybe you need to

find someone else whose beliefs

are closer to your own.

“What Should I

Know About

Pressure?”

Be Popular, Be Part of The

In-Crowd, Be a Man / Be a Woman,

Everybody’s Doing It, Sex Is Fun, If

It Feels Good, Do It

It comes from everywhere...

advertising, friends, movies,

TV shows, songs, and books 

BUT STOP AND THINK. 

Will having sex really make you

more popular, more mature, or

more desirable? Probably not. In

fact, having sex may even cause

your partner to lose interest. The

one sure thing about having sex is

that you may be in for problems

you don't want to deal with.

For additional copies, please contact: Office of Population Affairs Clearinghouse

Email: clearinghouse@dhhsopa.net • Phone: 866 640-PUBS (7827) • Fax: 866 592-FAXX (3299)

Mail: PO Box 30686, Bethesda, MD 20824-0686 • Copies available for download at website: http://opa.osophs.dhhs/gov/publications

“What Should I

Know About

Boy/Girl

Relationships?”

They’re great...but good

relationships don’t develop

overnight. They take time. Sex is

not what makes a relationship

work.

Watch out for lines like, “If you

care about me, you’ll have sex

with me.”

 You don’t have to have sex 

with someone to prove you like

or love them.

 Sex should never be used to 

pay someone back for 

something...all you have to say

is “Thank you.”

 Sharing time, thoughts, beliefs, 

feelings, and most of all,

mutual respect, is what makes 

a relationship strong.

 Saying “No” can be the best 

way to say “I love you.”

“Where Can I

Get Information

That Will Help

Me?”

If you want more information or

help, talk to someone who cares

about you. Ask your parents, an

older brother or sister, other family

members, or an adult you feel will

listen and give you good advice.

There are people and

organizations in your community

who want to help — your family

doctor; your priest, minister, or

rabbi; your school nurse or

counselor; or local health-care

providers.

“Should I Have

Sex Now Or

Should I Wait?”

It’s true some teens decide to go

ahead. But you'll have to live with the

consequences of your decision.

Ask yourself these questions

before making up your mind:

 If we're fully committed as a 

couple, why not wait until we're 

married?

 Am I willing to to risk STDs, 

including HIV/AIDS and maybe 

becoming sterile so I can't have a 

baby?

 Am I willing to risk getting 

pregnant or getting someone 

pregnant?

 Am I ready and able to support a 

child on my own?

 Can I handle the guilt and conflict 

I may feel?

 Will my decision hurt others — my

parents, my friends?

“What Should I

Know If I Decide

Not to Have

Sex?”

Contrary to rumor, at least half of all

teens decide not to have sex. Many

teens are worried about hurting the

other person’s feelings. BUT it’s not

so hard to say “NO” and still remain

friends. For example, you might say:

 “I like you a lot, but I’m just not

ready to have sex.”

 “I don’t believe in having sex 

before marriage. I want to wait.”

January 1998, Reprinted July 2001, Updated March 2003

“Decisions about sex may be the most

important decisions you’ll ever make,

so think before you act.”