Sexual Health
Feeling pressure to have sex

Do you feel pressure from friends or the media to have sex? Does your body feel the urge? Aaron, Alexei, Barbara, Ernesto, Jim, PJ, Tanya, and Wilson talk about how they handle it.

ERNESTO: I've seen a lot of guys talk, "Hey, that girl did this and that." I think it's sad.

WILSON: I like girls, girls like me. We date, have fun, and talk. Sometimes raging hormones get to you, but I give myself a limit.

JIM: Guys really feel that urge. But you've got to think: Do I have class? Do I want to be a real guy? Do I want to be respected? Sex, it's in every guy. It's just a hormone thing. You've got to think how far you want to go. Sex is a big thing. Once you do it, you can't take it back.

ERNESTO: Are you ready to take care of a baby? Are you ready to deal with HIV? Are you ready to deal with all of the things that come with having sex? If you're not, you have to think: Are you ready for sex?

TANYA: There are tons of things you can do instead of intercourse. Be creative. You can kiss and feel. Massaging is great, even if it's just your feet!

BARBARA: If you want to be intimate, you can kiss, cuddle, even flirt. Heavy petting can be as fulfilling as intercourse, without as many risks.

AARON: You can mess around and get aroused without intercourse. It's safer, emotionally and physically.

ALEXEI: You may think you are ready for intercourse, but you're really just looking for closeness.

PJ: You could snuggle with music, poetry, and hugs. Sex is a big step. So hanging around and being close can be just right.