Relationships

Peer Pressure

As a young person, it can sometimes feel like everyone’s trying to push you into having sex; your friends, boyfriend or girlfriend, films and TV. But it’s up to you when you decide to have sex and it’s ok to resist the pressure and say no if you’re not ready.

If you are feeling pressured into having sex, you’re not alone. You might feel like you’re the only one who hasn’t, but the average age to start having sex in the UK is actually 16. This is true for boys and girls, gay and straight, so not everyone who says they’ve had sex is telling the truth.

So what is peer pressure?

Peer pressure is the pressure that your friends or other people your age put on you to do something you don’t want to do, or don’t feel ready to do, like having sex. There are different types of peer pressure:

• Obvious peer pressure, like, "Everyone’s doing it, so should you."
• Underhand peer pressure, like, "You’re a virgin, you wouldn’t understand."
• Controlling peer pressure, like, "If you loved me you would…."

Standing up to peer pressure isn’t easy, particularly when it comes to sex, and it means making your own choices, no matter what everyone else is saying.

Remember, it’s up to you to decide when you’re ready to have sex – it's your body, your decision and your choice.

If you need to talk, go to your local sexual health service where friendly, trained workers will talk to you in confidence.

For details of your nearest service, find your local area at the top of this page or text ‘Stockton’ to 07766 363 390 any time* for a list of services open today.

*The price to text is your provider’s price to you. There is no charge to receive a text response from this service.