Romeo was 15-16 and Juliet 13. And that was at a time in history when menarche likely occurred in mid-adolescence. The idea of early teens having sex is not new and was likely the norm through much of human history. Either we accept the consequences with no effort to ameliorate the STD's and pregnancies because we wish it weren't so or you face the truth that sexual activity is going on with or without your consent and attempt to lessen the consequences. There is overwhelming data that giving teens the knowledge of how to prevent disease and pregnancy does NOT increase the likelihood of their becoming sexually active. At the same time evidence shows that education and access does reduce, although not as much as I might wish, the likelihood of STD's and pregnancies.
You are not throwing out the correct questions. Here is a more accurate one: Your 13 year old has decided to have sex. Do you wish it were easy for her to prevent disease and pregnancy knowing that those risks are not going to stop her from having sex?
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