Welcome to a book about sex and being a teen! Naturally, you''re curious about sex. Maybe you''ve noticed changes in the way your body reacts to touch, and it feels awesome! And maybe the idea of sex (which made you giggle or shout "Gross!" before) has suddenly started to seem like it could be . OK? Or even great? Managing these new sexy thoughts and feelings can be tricky, and the information available is sometimes unhelpful or wrong. It''s like driving with your learner''s permit, but without a straightforward set of instructions for how to actually drive! So we''ve crammed as much realness into this book as possible so that you''ve got a rock-solid resource on sex that you can trust. If you hear or see information that contradicts what''s in this book, you might want to check one of our resources or another trusted source. "Learner''s permit sex" is about doing as much safe learning as possible before you hit the road. It''s about getting to know your own body first and what feels good. We have sections on what counts as sex, why people do it, and what "sexual identity" means.

There''s a section on getting intimate with someone else, dating, and hooking up. It''s totally OK if you''re not ready for any of that. By learning the basic principles of pleasure and consent, you''ll be able to survive embarrassing moments, which may include a wobbly start, and opt into--or out of--sex, feeling fully informed and empowered. We talk a lot about pleasure in this book because it''s often missing from sex ed, yet it is one of the main reasons people have sex! Whatever your ability, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion, or culture, this book is really about how to feel good­--in your body, in your mind, and about who you are. The amazing thing is, you never really stop learning about sex. The learning happens in lots of ways over your whole life. This book is to help you understand the basics so that you get to know yourself first and feel more confident, more in your power, and more in control. What Is Sex? Sex is doing anything with your body that feels sexy.

It can be "solo sex" (known as masturbation). It can be touching another person''s body with your hands or other parts of your body, rubbing genitals together, or kissing or touching breasts, nipples, or parts of the body that turn you both on. Doing sexy stuff on the phone or online with another person is also sex. Sex might involve being totally naked or partly or even fully clothed. For many people, emotions are part of the definition of sex. Each person''s definition of sex can change, depending on circumstances and timing. The most useful definition of sex is "what sex means to you." "Defining sex is beautifully complicated.

Sex is anything as long as the people taking part in it think it is sex. It excludes violence, and it includes pleasure." --Professor Alan McKee We get that sex has different meanings in different cultures. You''d be excused for thinking "penis-in-vagina sex" is the only "real sex" there is--if you were basing it on movies, sex ed classes, and religious teaching. Or for thinking that it''s the only sex that matters. But it''s not. Sex is SO much more diverse, fun, and interesting! There''s plenty of room in the world for us to value and respect all types of sex. And it''s totally OK to be curious about all of it! BTW: These definitions of "sex" are about doing sexy stuff with our bodies.

There''s another definition of sex thaT has to do with physical parts of our bodies, like genitals, chromosomes, and hormones.These are also called sex characteristics and can BE a bit different for everyone, including for people who have intersex variations. The sexy "feeling" can be thrilling, edgy, new, hot, or tingly. It can feel a bit private. Often the sexy feelings can be all through your body but loop back to your genitals, even if those parts aren''t involved in the action.