Sex

Right, so this isn't gonna be some very explicit piece talking about the birds and the bees. Just general thoughts. Don't get your knickers in a twist.

Now I'm almost 19. Most people my age have lost their virginities. I know some people who lost it at 14, I know others who lost it a couple months ago. I lost mine about 9 months ago and unlike some that I know, I don't regret it. That's the first thing about sex. You might regret it. You may not think it at the time but you might. That person can do something in the unforeseeable future that ruins your view of them and in turn makes you regret being that intimate with them. Now, young adults these days are obsessed with "body counts." This is basically how many people you've slept with. You'll find some with a count of 3 and others with a count of 22. Either way, it isn't your place to judge. Everyone has the right to choose to do whatever they want with their lives.

There's such a big stigma around sex that I think a lot of people view it as a huge mistake. Some don't think it's that important and there are others that think it's a very special thing. Personally, I think sex is something extremely intimate that you can share with whoever you want, as long as you're not hurting anyone. So what I'm saying here is, don't cheat. Don't sleep with other people because you want to if you're committed. At least have the respect to break up with the person before getting with someone else.

My issue with sex is that for my generation at least, we were given a basic level of sex education, entailing "this is how you put a condom on properly" and taught about contraception. We were also taught that sex was a thing that shouldn't happen. A lot of parents don't like having "the talk" with their kids and don't explain sex properly. Obviously, I'm not saying at the age of 13 to go out and start sleeping with people. Wait until you're at least at the legal age. It doesn't matter when you lose your virginity. It's not as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be. Sex should be something that isn't explained as something to be ashamed about but rather something you share with people that you care for on that level of intimacy. We need to stop telling young adults that sex is something they should refrain from. As long as you're being safe and not hurting anyone then what's the harm? STD's are a real thing and they spread easily so protect yourself and if you've got one, go to your doctor's and get it sorted. None of us are in a place at 18 to be taking care of babies. Some of us are at university, some working, and we're all just starting our lives. Do as much as you can before you have a child. Travel, see the world, meet new people, try new things, and just enjoy your life. Use contraception; it's there for a reason.

My point in this entire piece is to say that we need to start speaking about sex as something normal rather than something young people need to refrain from. It's a normal urge and it happens with everyone at one point or another. Be safe and have fun with it.