The media ensures that children and adolescents are exposed to sex earlier than ever; girls are going through puberty earlier; and, as always, many teenagers are having sex. As parents, we all have our opinions about when and with whom our children should be sexually active. So when is that age? And when should you worry? It should come as no surprise that there is little consensus among cultures about young people and sex.

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Despite the easing of taboos and the rise of hookup apps, Americans are in the midst of a sex recession. New cases of HIV are at an all-time low. Most women can—at last—get birth control for free, and the morning-after pill without a prescription. If hookups are your thing, Grindr and Tinder offer the prospect of casual sex within the hour.
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In Part 1 , we looked at the components of sexual readiness. The following are common reasons why people choose to have sex. Some are specific to young people, while others may be found at all age levels. For one, there are many ways to experience physical pleasure that do not involve having sex. What is maturity? Having sex will not make you mature. In fact, one of the key components of maturity is responsible decision-making. Being an adult is much more about the choices you make and the values you establish than about isolated actions. But having sex is a brand new decision each time.
Young women and teen girls trying to figure out the right age to have sex frequently want to know the answer to a related question: "When do most teens have sex? The truth? The majority of teens ages 15 to 19 are not having sex. Worried parents and anxious teens can calm their anxiety by understanding that the media's obsession with teen sex is more a result of hype than a reflection of reality.