What is Sex?

Are you Ready?

It Takes Two: Is My Partner Ready?

Now that you have made your decision, it's time to make sure that you and your partner are on the same page. Communication is very important in sex and relationships. You need to make sure that you are both comfortable with your decisions, and that you both know what the other feels comfortable doing.

Remember, it takes a lot of courage to stand up for what you believe in. Just because your partner isn't ready to have sex doesn't mean that he or she doesn't care about you. Give your partner credit for the strength needed to make such a tough decision, and respect their feelings.

Lines like these aren't fair to anyone:

"You would if you loved me"
"Everybody's doing it"
"Come on, it'll feel good"
"I know you want it...stop teasing me"

Sexual coercion (encouraging/manipulating/convincing someone to have sex when they don't want to) is a serious issue with dangerous consequences. Forcing someone to have sex with you when they've said no is a crime. A person's body is their own territory, for them to treat as they see fit.

See the section on sexual abuse for more information, and where to get help if you've been a victim.

Last Modified: September 5, 2006