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    Teen FAQ

    For over 10 years, teens have been asking us questions on every topic imaginable. While we are no longer taking new questions, we have a wealth of information we would like to share with teenagers.

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    Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Puberty > Is 12-year old cousin ready for sex?
    Posted on: 09/25/2007

    Question

    Is it safe for my cousin she is twelve and wants to know if sex is bad for her?

    Answer

    Thanks for asking this question for your cousin, and my answer is ABSOLUTELY! There are many reasons for my answer, but here are a few:

    1) At 12, her cervix is not fully developed and sex can actually damage it;

    2) The younger a person starts having sex, the more likely it is they will get a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV during her lifetime;

    3) The younger a person starts having sex, the more likely it is they will get pregnant before they want to;

    4) Any person wanting to have sex with a 12-year old child is NOT concerned about her well-being or best interest;

    5) At 12, a person should be interested in becoming the person she wants to be, learning things, exploring the world and playing - being carefree and happy - not sex - that is something she should look forward to in adulthood; and

    6) Most importantly, most young people who have sex wish they had waited because their heart gets hurt - the person who convinces them to start having sex does not stick around and they feel abandoned and unloved - and who needs that?

    I hope she will listen to me, and you - she will be safer and happier if she waits many more years! Good luck!


    Answered By:
    Nancy Brown , Ed.S, M.A., Ph.D.


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