Learn to say “NO”
Learn to say “NO”
Vasiliki Dimitrakopoulou , Artemis Tsitsika
During puberty you begin getting interested in boys. However, at this age, you tend to get over enthusiastic about your boyfriend, to idealize him and get easily disappointed. That’s why romantic relationships at this age don’t last.
Sometimes you may feel your boyfriend is pressuring you to do things you’re not ready for yet, or you fear you might lose him, unless you have sex with him.
Sometimes it can be very difficult to resist when others put pressure on you.
When a girl is under so much pressure, she should stand up and say “no”. If your boyfriend really loves you, he’ll understand. But if you say “yes” and actually mean “no”, you’ll lose your self respect.
Here are some examples on how you can answer when your boyfriend is pressuring you to start having sex with him, even if you’re not ready for it.
When your boyfriend says … You answer…
Come on, everyone does it!! I’m not interested.
I’m different. Besides,
not everyone does it, no matter what they say.
If you really loved me, you would do it. If you really loved me,
you’d never pressure me to do something
I’m not ready for.
If we don’t start having sex, I’ll break up with you! If being with you means doing things I don’t want to,
then I no longer wish to be with you.
Why don’t you want us to move on? Because I don’t want to yet.
I don’t think I need to explain this to you any further.
Come on! I know you want to do it too! NO! You should respect that!
Remember that “no” means “no” and your boyfriend should accept it, otherwise lack of respect and maturity can lead to some kind of abuse.
However, at some point in your life, when you start having sexual relations and in case your boyfriend is pressuring you not to use condom, you can answer:
When your boyfriend says … You answer…
Don’t you trust me? A person can have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) without even knowing.
Come on, just once. Once is enough to get pregnant or an STD.
I forgot to bring condoms! I have some,
or let’s leave it for today and do something else.
But I love you so much! I love you too. Taking care of each other and protecting each other proves it.
Taking care of each other and protecting each other proves it.
I feel embarrassed to buy condoms. Let’s do it together. It should be fun!
Both partners are responsible for getting protection. Buying condoms shows responsibility and you shouldn’t feel embarrassed. Feeling embarrassed is an irresponsible behavior to ourselves and the one we love.
Vassiliki DimitrakopoulouPsychologist, Scientific Associate of the Greek Society of Adolescent Medicine
Artemis Tsitsika
Ass. Professor of Pediatrics - Adolescent Medicine
Scientific Coordinator of the Program "PROLEPSIS» ran by the Greek Society of Adolescent Medicine
