Sex myths exposed

The myth: It's part of being grown-up.
You're grown-up now. You've got a woman's body, a woman's curiosity and, to be honest, a woman's urge. Having sex will complete the transformation -- or at least let you get the whole thing over with already.

The reality:
Contrary to how it looks in movies, the act of having sex doesn't change you from a girl into a woman or a mature adult (it can, however, transform you into a parent). In fact, a lot of girls look at themselves in the mirror, post-virginity busting, and expect to feel different -- only to find that they're still the same person.
"Having sex has become the equivalent of getting a driver's license. It's a rite of passage," says Debra Haffner, president and CEO of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). "But that's not what makes you a grown-up. Maturity does." Haffner points out that according to a SIECUS survey, 65 percent of girls and 45 percent of guys who have had intercourse say they had it too soon.

The myth: If it's true love, the next step is sex.
You're secure in your relationship with your longtime boyfriend. You love each other and have even talked about attending the same college. He wants to have sex, claims he has been fully patient and is now saying that if you don't relent, he might take a hike.

The reality:
This one's easy. Any guy who tries to threaten, force or cajole you into having sex isn't worth a minute more of your time. Says Haffner: "The line 'You would have sex with me if you loved me' needs to be answered with 'If you loved me, you wouldn't pressure me.'"
Going all the way is something that can't be taken back. If you're not careful and thoughtful, there can be long-term emotional and physical consequences. And here's the thing: Taking your time, knowing your own mind, not having sex to fit in or please someone and being responsible about protection ultimately will make sex more pleasurable and special. And isn't that the whole point?

Probably two of the most common misconceptions about sex that people, not just teens and kids, make.