WOMEN: SEXUALITY IN ADOLESCENCE (STDS, HOMOSEXUALITY)
Sexually transmissible diseases (STDs)
If it’s the first time for both you and your partner, there’s no risk. If there is any doubt at all, use condoms.
Homosexuality
Having a crush on someone of the same sex, maybe an older friend or a teacher, seems to be a normal part of growing up and doesn’t mean that you’re gay. Homosexuality means that you have a constant preference for sexual arousal and gratification by people of the same sex, and little or no sexual interest in the opposite sex. If you look for sexual arousal from both sexes, it’s bisexuality. There’s a wide range of sexual orientation between gay and straight, with most people falling somewhere between the two extremes.
Here are some facts about homosexuality.
• Most homosexual women and men, looking back, can remember their preference from the beginning of adolescence or earlier. They felt no interest in the opposite sex when most of their friends were crazy about them.
• Between 25 and 50 per cent of adolescents say they’ve had one or a few homosexual experiences. This doesn’t make them gay, but can make them very worried about it.
• Gay adolescents usually feel different, isolated, confused and afraid. Most try to hide the fact, especially from parents. If you do ‘come out’, people will react with shock. Your parents may be very upset and angry. They’ll wonder if it’s their fault that you’re gay and whether you’ll bring shame on yourself and the family, but mostly they’ll be concerned for your happiness. Being gay is usually a hard path to follow.
If you’re worried about homosexuality, counselling services such as Lifeline can help.
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