Q:I grew up in an age when girls didn't become sexually active until college or marriage. Now TV shows and movies often show teens in sexual situations. I don't think this is progress. What does the medical community think?

A: Almost all of the medical data support your thinking that early sexual activity can have a negative impact on both sexes. Ongoing national surveys show that an early (under age 16) sexual debut for girls will increase the rates of sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies and substance abuse.

Medical studies have found that while young women may report some positive reactions with early sexuality, women's responses have been predominantly negative -- disappointment, fear, guilt, anxiety, embarrassment and even disenchantment.

Many school programs aim to educate young teens as early as possible about human sexuality to decrease the risks that early sexual activity may create.

Regardless of age, there is always an uncertainty as to when teenagers, or adults for that matter, have reached the level of emotional maturity to foster good sexual health. This is defined by the World Health Organization as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality.

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