You’ve been waiting for this night for as long as you can remember. You bought a dress. Rented a tux. Maybe even reserved a limo. What’s all the fuss? It’s the prom, of course. And the prom deserves lots of fuss. This is a night you’ll always remember. So enjoy.
But the details are endless. Not only do you have to worry about a date, clothes, and transportation, but you (and everyone around you) also may be thinking about sex. Doesn’t everyone have sex on prom night? Aren’t you supposed to have sex that night? The truth is, some people choose to have sex, and others don’t. And you’re the only one who can make that decision. Not your date. Not your friends. Not your parents. Just you.
When it comes to sex, you have some options:
- You can choose not to have sex play. Maybe you’re not ready. Maybe you don’t want to engage in any kind of sex play on prom night. Maybe you’re waiting for something, or someone, else. Whatever your reason is, stand by it. Don’t let anyone change your mind. Abstinence is the only thing that’s 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Abstinence isn’t only for people who have never had sex before. You can decide to abstain from sex even if you’ve already had intercourse or other kinds of sex play in the past.
- You can choose to engage in sex play but not have intercourse. Some people are sexually active but aren’t ready to actually “go all the way.” Many couples — straight or gay — choose to have outercourse, which can include body rubbing, masturbation, and oral sex. Outercourse is a way to avoid pregnancy. But remember, even outercourse can put couples — straight or gay — at risk for some sexually transmitted infections. It’s important to understand the risks before taking any action.
- You can choose to have sexual intercourse. Whether you’ve had intercourse before or it’s your first time, you need to be prepared. Have you talked about sex with your partner? Do you both agree this is what you want to do? Do you need birth control — have you discussed which method(s) you’re going to use? Remember, although birth control offer protection against pregnancy, latex, and female condoms reduce the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
If you’re thinking about what’s going to happen sexually on prom night, here are some questions to consider and to talk about with your date before the night of the prom:
- Will we be sexually involved?
- Will we have sexual intercourse?
- How will we protect ourselves from sexually transmitted infections?
- Which method of contraception will we use?
These questions can help begin a conversation. If you’re ready to be sexually involved, you should be able to talk about these intimate and important topics with your date. Communicating your expectations for the prom can help eliminate any confusion. Whatever you do, don’t let alcohol or other drugs make the decision for you!
Whether you are going to the prom with your friend, your partner, or with a blind date, relax and cherish the night. Enjoy the fancy clothes, the dinner, the dancing, and remember — your prom will be what you make it, so be prepared and have fun!!
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