Youths and Sex: Making the Right Decision

The decision to engage in sexual activities as a teen or young adult should be a personal and conscious or consensual, not from pressure from external sources.

A fact is, the right time to take this decision can be confusing. Teens and young adults are advised to consider their age and maturity as well as that of the partner, their privacy, safety, their consent as well as the long-term impact of the activity on their overall well-being.

An experienced youth Fon Helman Nji, CEO/Founder of Transcending Association in Yaounde, says that "pre-marital sex can lead to a lack of mastery of emotions and eventually, inferiority complex" on the part of a young person who wasn't ready or was pressured into sexual activities.

Therefore, making the right decision before starting sexual Intercourse as a teenager or young adult, should first of all mean putting your education and future goals as top priority above fun or pleasure. Do not let sex or fun have negative influence on your dreams.

Secondly, knowing that everyone has rights over their own bodies and feeling pressured by peers or any person to start sexual activity means that you might not be ready enough. Abstinence from sexual activity is okay. A lot of young people make the choice to wait.

Making the right decision thirdly, means having in mind that it might not just be all pleasure and fun as there are risks involved such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A higher risk of certain types of cancers in men and women who did not receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a preteen. 

Fourthly knowing that it is possible to plunge into emotional pain if you get disappointed.  Your private life might be exposed by unconscious sex partners on social media if photos or videos of you were taken during the act. So, remember to be very careful when selecting a sex partner.

A publication on www.familydoctor.org tells young people that "if you’re going to have sex, or if you’re already having sex, be safe. Not having sex is the safest. Protect yourself and your partner by using a condom. This offers the most protection against STIs and HIV/Aids. It offers some protection from pregnancy... talk to your doctor about long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). This includes an intrauterine device (IUD) or an implantable rod under the skin to prevent pregnancy." amongst others.

Paying attention to your feelings, figuring out what you really want and talking to someone you trust (parents, counselor, teacher, pastor, family doctor), can help you make the right decision.