Young women also need to know that they have rights when choosing to engage in sexual activity. They need to know they should be able to come to a decision about sex without being pressured. And they should know that many teenage girls have chosen abstinence, whether because of their personal morals, religious values or other reasons. Also, many girls choose abstinence because it is the only method that is 100 percent effective for preventing pregnancy and avoiding STDs. Although many young women have chosen abstinence, the fact remains that many other young women have decided to become sexually active.
Young women have many choices when it comes to contraception.
Visit the Contraception health fact sheet. Active Young women who have made the choice to become sexually active need to recognize the responsibilities that come along with this decision. One of the most important things to bear in mind when deciding to have sex is the possibility of becoming pregnant. If unplanned, a pregnancy can have a negative impact on a woman who may have wanted to focus on a career or school. But if she has a child, the baby becomes the priority.