How young is too young?

Really it will depend on the circumstances and the people involved. The opinion of the youngest anyone should have sex tends to vary person to person. Personally I think someone who knows their facts about sex, has done their homework (speaking to a GP or doctor or counsellor) is ready as they are aware of what sex really is, or could be. Someone who can and is willing to handle the responsibilities that come with sex is ready, be it 17 or 25.

You are very right in that everyone will be ready in their own time. I guess a good re-evaluation of knowing when a person is feeling ready to have sex is when they have done all the homework and are fully informed about sex as well as fully aware of the consequences of having sex. To be able to talk about it with either the people you have mentioned as well as with the sexual partner.

Im not a prude, in fact I'm along way from it, but I do feel it is very important as other people have indicated, that you do your homework around understanding what becoming sexually active means for you. This includes contraception, but also the fact that young women have a greater risk of some sexual health concerns if they become sexually active earlier rather than later in life. My concern is also around someone's emotional or psychological readiness to enter that phase of their lives. This aspect of sex is just as important when it comes to issues of self-esteem and being comfortable with your choices. I would generally say that being a little older, later teens for example would generally give you the chance to explore this side of your self more fully than if you went down that road earlier, especially if you havn't got people to process this with.

So, how old was everyone on here when they first had sex? (lol) Did you think it was an ok age, or too young... or would you have waited longer if you could go back?

I first had sex when I was 16 and it was with the boyfriend I am still with now. I have no regrets or wish I could change anything. I also understand that I had a very fortunate experience. Many of my friends and people I know have made decisions that they wish they could go back on for anything.

I also concur with all above posts, especially the one about thinking through the emotional side, that guys and girls normally ignore and consider it an only physical action.

Yeah, agree with hannah's agreement on the importance of considering the emotional side of things as well.

And also hear that things went well for you, and how it's also normal, as you mention, for others to wish they'd given themselves a bit more time, made sure they were having sex with the right perosn, for the right reasons, and that it was right for them.