I totally agree on the series of conversations thing.

I think sex and sexuality should be explained in minute detail at age-appropriate levels from the time a child is old enough to be asking questions (like where babies come from, what their genitals are, etc), all through their childhood and teenage years.

My mom gave me the full-out this-is-where-babies-c ome-from talk when I was 10, but by then I had already figured it out! The more we talked, the easier it got for me to ask questions and for her to be open with me and share her views with me, as well as the facts.

I think her openness was especially helpful for me, because she informed me of STIs, pregnancy, and also the emotional factors that come into sex.

When I lost my virginity at 17, I was totally prepared, and had no regrets. (I was very safe, BTW!)

A big reason I waited until I was 17 (despite having sexual stirrings BEFORE I was evena teenager), was because of all the talks with my mom. A lot of kids are misinformed and their parents don't talk to them about this stuff, and I think that plays majorly into why a lot of kids are having sex so young....(I know people who lost their virginity as young as 10!)