The biggest rumor of British youth is the fact that they have lost virginity much, very soon. This is the result of a recent survey of Brits' sexual behavior.
More than a third of women and a quarter of males, adolescents and early 20s, admitted that age when they first did sex was not "the right time". In England, people must have reached the age of 16 to have sex lawfully and consensually.
The recent National Survey on Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle Surveys shows that people may not be ready to have sex at that age.
The "Natsal" survey, developed almost every decade, gives a detailed picture of sexual behavior in Britain. For the latest report, published in "BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health", researchers at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have studied the responses of nearly 3,000 young people who completed the survey between 2010 and 2012.
Their responses indicate that nearly 40 percent of young women and 26 percent of young men do not believe their first sexual experience occurred "at the right time". Asked more in detail, most would like to have expected somewhat more to lose virginity. Very few have said in the meantime that they should have tried earlier.
But what is the period when these asked lost their virginity? Most have sex for the first time at the age of 18, half as they were 17, and about one-third had sex before they turned 16.
The survey has also explored sexual abilities or readiness: the fact that a person can make a reasonable and well-informed decision to have sex for the first time. For example, they should have been cautious and have had the consent of the other party, rather than being put under the pressure of their peers.
Nearly half of women and 40 percent of respondents have failed in this regard. Nearly 20 percent of women and 10 percent of men said that partner / partner had not been as willing to have sex in that period, suggesting that they felt compelled to engage in sexual intercourse.
The founder of "Natsal" polls, Professor Kaye Wellings says age of consent is not an indication that someone feels ready to become sexually active.
" Every teenager is different, some 15-year-olds may be ready to have sex, and some 18-year-olds are still not ."
Co-tutor, Doctor Melisa Palmer further says: " Our findings seem to support the idea that young women are more likely than young men to put pressure on their partners to engage in sex. And although the results of the survey have something positive, as it shows that nearly 9 out of 10 young people use safe methods of contraception the first time, further efforts must be made to ensure that young people's well-being needs to be protected as they become sexually active "./TCh/
