If someone is a virgin, why does he or she need to be concerned about safe sex?
That's a good question. The word "virgin" is usually used to mean someone who has never had penetrative heterosexual intercourse (penis in a vagina). This definition is limiting: it does not consider the sexual practices of men who have sex with men or women who have sex with women and because someone who is by definition a virgin may still engage in behaviors such as oral or anal intercourse that may put that person at risk for an STD. For example, if a person is having oral sex (mouth on penis or vulva) and this person has a cold sore (oral herpes) this could be transmitted to someone's genitals (genital herpes). Or, one can become infected with an STD by touching someone's genitals and then touching one's own body or rubbing one's eyes. Soap and water will kill most infections; so one should be sure to wash your hands or any other item that has come into contact with someone's genital area.

Is it true that many U.S. college students have sex on the first date?
This is difficult to answer because we don't really know. Deciding at what point in a relationship to have intercourse is very personal for most people. What is most important is that both people feel ready to have sex and feel comfortable with what they are doing. No one should feel that s/he is having sex because the other person wanted him/her to, or because s/he thinks that everyone else is having sex so s/he should have it too.

What if one person wants to have sex and the other doesn't?
Talking about sex is difficult for many people. In many cultures, taking about sex is not encouraged or is considered shameful. Feeling comfortable talking about sex is a prerequisite for having sex. If you are not comfortable talking about sex with your partner, I would encourage you to become more comfortable before you have sex. That said, it is also important that you know your sexual limits and what you feel comfortable doing or not doing. Learn as much as you can about sexuality so that you can make informed choices about what you want to do. Try to set these limitations in the relationship and don't rely on someone else to guess what you are thinking or feeling about sex. In a healthy relationship, both partners respect the other person's boundaries. If you do not want to have sex, let your partner know. If your partner does not want to have sex, respect that decision. Try to reach an agreement about what feels okay for both of you. You also have a right to change your mind at any time about what you would like to do; but make sure that you clearly communicate the changes. Be aware that drinking or using drugs may impair your ability to communicate clearly about sex.

	2 : 4