39: Relationships and sex: how young is too young?

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Most first world countries agree that the age of consent is around sixteen, but teenagers don't suddenly awake to their sexuality on their sixteenth birthday. Sexual feelings and interest can start much younger, well before they’re able to understand the implications. One mother has asked us to talk about the issue, because she's struggling to find useful content.  

Knowing the law helps guide us as parents, but it doesn't exactly stop teens from vaping and drinking if they want to, so we have to be prepared to consider how to deal with underage interest in sex too.

Gone are the days when most people held back until marriage, and with the advent of free internet porn and social media there's a chance that our teens may know more about sex than we do. 

So what should we be saying to them, how do we keep them safe, and how can we help them to know when they're ready for that next adventure in life? 

THE BLOG POST WITH KEY POINTS:
https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/it-might-be-illegal-but-when-did-that-ever-stop-a-teenager/

HELPFUL WEBSITES:
https://www.culturereframed.org/

RESEARCH SOURCES:
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/when-is-person-ready-start-having-sex
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/720822
https://oxfordshirescb.proceduresonline.com/p_underage_sexual_act.html
www.unchainedatlast.org
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546176/
https://www.npr.org/2023/01/08/1147737247/teen-pregnancy-rates-have-declined-significantly
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/adolescent/chapter/sexual-development/
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/no-sex-please-we-re-your-parents-would-you-let-your-teen-have-sex-under-your-roof_n_7389178/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546176/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/adolescent/chapter/sexual-development/

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I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.

My email is [email protected]
My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:
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Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:
www.amindful-life.co.uk