Is sex always accompanied by white sheets, no clothing, and alcohol? Does this imply that you and your lover will strip nude and expose your vulnerability? As an inquisitive kid, a developing adolescent, and an adult, we have had many inquiries. But something that should have stuck a long time ago didn’t.
And, regrettably, this credit (read: responsibility) falls to our sex education system. Unfortunately, many people in our nation are still unaware of the appropriate age to begin the sexual activity.
18! YES 18 !
According to experts, 18 is the right age for both men and women to become sexually active. While there are numerous theories which can suggest otherwise, we have found a very logical reason as to why experts believe 18 is the right age to start doing it. And no, this logical reason has nothing to do with our society and its norms. We are talking pure science and how sex before the right age can affect you both physically and mentally. Let us decode why 18 is the right age for first time sex.
Boys and sex!
However, in their prime age of puberty, which is 9 years to 15 years, boys are still not as emotionally developed as girls are. And this can make boys take decisions like having sex in a jiffy. Therefore, when they enter the adult phase, which is post 17, they start to understand the repercussions of their actions better. Their body is better equipped to handle emotions one can feel post-sex. Hence, 18 is the best age for men to start having sex to handle the baggage it carries, both physically and mentally.
Why for women
Women, on the other hand, develop very differently from boys. Their bodies go through a variety of changes which can sometimes come in the way of their mood. For women, sex post 18 is the best decision and the right age as before this, their bodies are underdeveloped and still not ready to go through a major hormonal transformation. A study shows that women who have sex before the age of 17 are more likely to be depressed than those who have it post 17.
Why for men
Men hit puberty around the same time as their women counterparts. A man’s body goes through changes which are very different from women. When boys hit puberty, their testosterone levels rise and boys start feeling modifications in their body. It is around this age that they start to understand what erections are.
Girls and sex
Do it at the right time
The prime factor for both men and women to understand is that sex comes with its own baggage, both emotionally and physically. Your body starts changing, you feel a range of emotions you haven’t felt before and this consequently forms your relationships. While sex is important for health and can seem like a very big deal at a particular age, keep aspects like this in mind before you indulge in sex and may have regret it later. Giving in to temptations just because your friends are ‘doing it’ is not the right way to go about it and should not be considered at all costs.
Practice precaution
At the same time, it is important to keep in mind precautionary measures to practice safe sex. Do not shy away from using a condom or even buying a condom. Unsafe sex can lead to increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases and even teenage pregnancy.