Deal with It

There’s one thing you and every other teen has in common – peer pressure. It doesn’t matter how popular you are, or aren’t, sooner or later, you’ll face peer pressure. Pressure can affect you anywhere, anytime … pressure to do drugs, skip class, miss your curfew, or have sex, are just a few examples.

You can avoid peer pressure by having a plan in place. Learn how to make the right decision every time by using the SLEMA Decision Making Model. It’s easy to use and will help you figure out what you should do.

Knowing how to make decisions is important in staying away from things you don’t want to do, and walking away from situations you don’t want to be in.

Where do you stand?

If you’re like lots of other teens your age, one or more of these thoughts about pre-marital sex has entered your mind at least once.

Pressure – from your peers and the media – is really at the root of these thoughts. The challenge for you is to figure out how you feel about sex and whether you’re ready – physically, emotionally and financially – to accept the responsibility and consequences that go along with having sex.

If the answer is “no,” it is time to deal with the fact that you’ll experience peer pressure to change your mind. Here’s some help. Having resistance “comeback” lines can really help you say no quickly and firmly. Even if you have had sex before, you don’t have to have sex again, and you have the right to say ‘no’. These lines have helped other teens just like you:

• “ I don’t want to get pregnant”
  
• “I’m not ready to be a father.”
  
• “Sorry I don’t love you. I love me.”
  
• “Do I look stupid, I’m not falling for your ‘game’.”
  
• “With all these diseases going around?”
  
• “I don’t want to.”
  
• “I love you, but I’m not ready for this.”

It’s your body. Your life. You are the only person who has the right to decide if you’re ready to deal with sex and everything that comes with it.

Peer Pressure and Teen Sexual Rights in Wisconsin

Keep in mind that even if you chose to have sex, there are still a lot of laws that go along with this decision and it can be very confusing. Don’t let peer pressure get you in trouble – you could face some serious charges if you don’t know the law and your rights. The only way to possibly avoid you or your partner being charged with a crime is to remain abstinent. Here are some of the rights that you should know related to your sexual health.

SEXUAL INTERCOURSE(1)

• In Wisconsin, anyone under the age 18 is a minor and according to Wisconsin Law, it is illegal for anybody, regardless of their age, to have sexual intercourse with a minor even if it is voluntary.
  • If someone 18 or over has sex with someone 16 or 17 years old, it is a misdemeanor. You could face fines, court, and/or charges on your record.
  • If someone 18 or over has sex with someone 13 to 15 years old, it is 2nd degree sexual assault, a felony. You could face fines, jail, prison, or having your record list you as a sex offender.
    
  • If someone 18 or over has sex with someone less than 13 years old, it is 1st degree sexual assault, a felony. You could face fines, jail, prison, or having your record list you as a sex offender

• Even two teens under 18 that are the same age who have sexual intercourse voluntarily can still be punished by law.
• “Sexual intercourse” defined by the law means vulvar penetration (penis in vagina) AS WELL AS cunnilingus (oral sex on a female), fellatio (blow job), or anal intercourse (penis in anus) between persons OR intrusion of any inanimate object into the genital or anal opening. The emission of semen (ejaculation) is not required.
  

SEEING A DOCTOR(2)

Minors can see a doctor without parent or guardian consent at most clinics for these services:

1. Screening and treatment of STIs
2. Alcohol or other drug abuse

Source: (1,2) United Way of Greater Milwaukee, http://www.babycanwait.com/PublicSite/TeenSexualRights.htm