Can you talk about sex with your boyfriend/girlfriend?
• can you be honest about your intentions and feelings?
• how well do you know each other?
• do you know what he/she really wants?
• are you compatible?
• do you have any shared values and goals?
• can you truly be yourself around him/her?


Do you feel ready?
• are you feeling forced or pressured by your boyfriend/girlfriend, society or your friends into having sex?
• would you be embarrassed or feel guilty if anyone found out you were having sex? (if you can’t be proud of what you do, don’t do it!!)
• do you feel comfortable with the present level of intimacy in the relationship?


Is it for the right reasons, or are you trying to:
• improve the way you feel about yourself?
• prove that you are mature?
• show that you can attract a sexual partner?
• get attention, affection or love?
• rebel against your parents?
• prove your love for your boyfriend/girlfriend?


Are you trying to keep a relationship?
• would you stay together if you didn’t have sex?


Are you being true to your family values?
• how would your parents and siblings react if they knew you were having sex?


Are you both willing to take responsibility for contraception and protection from STDs?
• have you discussed and agreed on an effective method of contraception?
•are you both willing to use this contraception every single time you have sex?
• who will pay for the contraception?


Are you both prepared to deal with the possible consequences being sexually active?
• have you discussed what you would do if a pregnancy occurs?
• are your values compatible?
• how would a pregnancy or an STD affect your lives?
• how would a pregnancy or an STD affect others close to you?
• are you both willing to go to the doctor for regular check-ups and tests?
• could you afford medical care and prescriptions if necessary?
• could you tell your boyfriend/girlfriend if you were infected with an STD?


Are you ready to deal with the emotional involvement?
• how would you feel if you broke up?


Would a sexual relationship interfere with other things in your life?


Becoming sexually active means that you must be aware of all the consequences of your behavior and be prepared to deal with them.