I believe that you should wait until the legal age in your country but if you feel mature enough and have the responsibilty to take precautions then it is fine. A good test is to see if you can go and buy condoms or go to a clinic to get some. Usually that is a good indictor to whether you are ready.

I lost mine at 16, though I think it really just depends on the individual. If I had a daughter.. I would say...... 30.

What you said makes perfect sense, gunmetal.

What I meant by seeing human interactions differently is . . . that sex is an extreme of human interaction, just like violence. It leaves a psychological mark that one will carry with them for the rest of their life, and that change in our psychological make-up changes how we deal with people. If I see a beautiful woman now, in my mind, I now think : "I'd like to have sex with her.", even though I will probably not say it. It just adds another layer of complexity to situations.

To give you an example, I had a good looking spanish teacher (Senorita Hayes). We had a test where she showed us a picture and we had to make up a story and tell it in spanish, on the spot. Mine was a man and a woman sitting with an older man and woman. I named the younger man and woman the first two names that popped into my head, Francisco and Mia (her first name). Then, I made them boyfriend and girlfriend. Then I suggested that the older two were Mia's parents and the younger two were discussing going on a trip together. I realize now, but did not realize then, that I was flirting with her. I was just not aware of her, or women in general, in that way, yet, then. If I had been, I probably would have been scared witless and failed the test. For better or worse, after sex, I became . . . more aware of people, of what drives them, of what one of their weaknesses is, of something that distinguishes them from one another. Different people desire sex differently, with more or less intensity. Some people aren't comfortable with sex their sexuality, even after sex, etc.

Hmm. I think I have to agree with you on this one.

My post was very self-involved and I have personal hang-ups about the earlier years of my life so I probably shouldn't have even tried to contribute. I'm starting to confuse myself now.

Although I'm not particularly sure about the human interactions thing. I didn't learn anything. In fact I'd say that sex hasn't had any huge an impact for me.

So it's not so much being 14 or 13 and losing your virginity that I have a problem with. It's the losing your virginity and continuing to spend all of your time trying to get laid.

And even then, I mean, that's not wrong or bad or off or anything, as such.

I just personally don't like it.

I just crawled out of bed...I hope you can muster some sense from what I've said.

gunmetal, that answer would make sense, except that you can still go rollerblading, watch cartoons, walk the streets in Mickey Mouse ears (or a Burger King crown), or nearly anything else. My main point is that all this realization that you and the others seem to have had has come after you had sex. Isn't it at least possible that your clearer understanding of your youth came at the expense of your virginity? And, if that is the case, doesn't it make sense for people to have sex as soon as appropriate so that they may enjoy more of their youth? For me it is simply a matter of understanding. After sex, you understand human interactions a little differently, more thoroughly I would say.

I think I'm going to say 15.

I'm 18 now and looking back to being 14, (I'd done nothing), the things I regret are not going rollerblading more, not watching cartoons more, not going bike riding more, not being a kid more.

I lost my virginity at 16, which for me is the perfect age, as well as 15.

I really think that if at 14 getting laid is a goal, you're missing out on something.

It doesn't matter how old you are when you lose your virginity, starting at a young age is a tiny bit off for my liking.

People rush in to 'growing up' too quickly.

there was a hell of alot of pressure around sex when we were at school and i aallways refused with my long term boyf but we had split up for a week or two and yea i slept at my mates boyfs brothers mates house with aload of people and i thought fuck it never going to see him again might as well .... i wish i hadent now i wish i would have waited but it happened i dident get pregnant or any std's or anything so im thankfull

common sense isn't so common these days though, that's the only reason i mentioned it.

well, I thought if you decided to be sexually active, you should know there're risks involved including getting STDs and/or pregnant when not careful. Isn't it common sense?

ba_nsh_ee , Your momma.

wow, the man asks one question and nearly everyone hits him back with the answer to a question he didnt ask. lol okay ill shut up now cause i know im pissing you all off when i do that. but anyhow as i read it he not once ever asked when you lost your virginity, and was instead asking when you think its right (not related whatsoever to when you lost yours). ANYYYYYWAYS:

I agree with darwin basically. In some ways the human body is not fully mature enough yet and for many people their minds are not fully mature until they are a bit older as well. I don't think there is any certain age limit or anything. I think it's different from person to person to. Some people are ready at younger ages (some just think they are).

actually after reading it a bit more, I also agree with dejay79.

You know one major thing that this thread has proved to me that I didn't know before; the majority of you as I see it are not ready and fit for having sexual intercourse yet. Not one single person has mentioned STDs, pregnancy or aides. There's a LOT more to sex than the enjoyment, and if you don't realize that, then in my opinion you aren't ready for it.

...lost mine when I was 15.

I think as long as you're out of middle school you're good, but there really is no rush...

I was 16 befor I even masterbated for the 1st time,had sex the first time 4 months befor my 17th bday..(willingly anyways)...Meet my husband 1 month after my 17th bday...and he's the 4th person I ever slept with..(2 of those weren't willingly)..not counting the girl I mess around with so he can watch...bleh..the things I do to make him happy...

I lost my virginity at 14 and I don't regret it all.

It depends a lot on the individual. I'm going to say it's gross if they haven't properly hit puberty but after that I'm not really one to judge.

I think part of the problem is the huge deal people make of sex. Not that I'm saying kids should fuck around without thinking about it, but people are told to wait until marriage when sex will be perfect and they find themselves disappointed.

When you get down to it it's just sex. There are more dangerous things we expect people to do without thinking about it, driving is a good example. People are not always as emotionally and physically immature as we think they are.

i would have rather fucked someone at age 13 and regreted it then still have this burden of being a virgin at 22.

so yes its better to start out young imo.

I think that a person should reach a certain Maturity level first, and that is not really based on age. Most people by the age of 16 or 17 reach that Maturity level however for some it is earlier or later. I know people that are like 18 or so that I think are not responsible enough to have sex yet. I think that being trusted with driving at 16 really adds to some ones maturity level. Yep...

what's the rush? you have the rest of your life to "discover" your sexual preferences.
besides who wants all that regret...in the end you usually only discover your likes and dislikes as well asy our abilities when you've been with someone for quite a while.
also your body is not fully developed till at least 18...and even then most women feel self conscious..it really does take time and maturity to truly understand your sexual self...and understanding what you like helps you to understand what your partner likes.