I don't believe there is any reason to wait if you're safe (which means you know how to put a condom or/and get on the pill, shot, ring, whatever) and it doesn't have to be awkward and hurt. Educate yourself. Look online and find out what to do so it doesn't hurt.

That said, make sure it's something you really want to do. Don't let your friends dictate your sexuality. I lost my virginity when I was 14 (32 now) and I don't regret it and it went horribly wrong. You know why? The guy was my boyfriend at the time, I was just a happy and horny teenage girl. Teenage girls are just as horny as boys, they just won't admit it.

I believe young women should sleep with a guy before marriage. Maybe you find something he does in bed disgusting and you can't get over it and it's a deal breaker. Too late, you're already married. I've broken up with guys or didn't see them again based on their performance and if I felt we weren't sexually compatible. Sex is a huge part of a relationship/marriage. You won't know if you're sexually compatible unless...you have sex. Also, getting it out of your system before marriage, if you plan to marry, is great. Humans are not monogamous mammals by nature. I'm not condoning cheating at all. It has taken us millions of years to determine promiscuity can cause problems.

Anyway, these are my opinions only:
1. Teens can be ready for sex when they feel mature enough to not be self-conscious, know how important pregnancy and STDs are, are just plain horny like a guy. Girls just don't say it because they don't want to be called certain names, and not just doing it because everyone else is. And make sure you feel that you would be ok if you broke up or he didn't call you again. There are a lot of A-holes out there.

2. I believe it is important to know the sexuality of a person before you are married. Same goes for living together.

3. Just because a guy doesn't ask you out doesn't mean he's not into you or you're not pretty. Maybe you intimidate a lot. Do you have piercings, alt clothes? Synthetic color hair? I think most guys find that sexy, they just don't want to get involved with a girl their mom won't like. I'm very sexy and pretty girl. I have been since I hit puberty. I'm just intimidating to some guys, I didn't talk much so they assumed I was a snob. I got asked to dances with friends. I had a HS boyfriend but he was a POS (he slept with my sister). I got asked out by a couple of guys I considered too close of a friend to date. I didn't have many girlfriends. It took 6 months for one of my best guy friends to tell me he loved me when we were 16. I didn't reciprocate and I feel so bad because I feel like I unintentionally flirt with any guy (prob why I don't get along with other girls) and one might take that as a good sign. Ugh, I just had mostly make friends and the girls closet to me were bi of bicurious. (Sorry, I ramble).

4. Would you be able to tell your parents? I did mine.

5. Being a virgin is a huge asset for you, especially when you describe how sexed up your area is. Like sometimes I wish I were a virgin because it's hot but I'm 7 yrs married with a 4 yr old daughter (yes, I would tell her the same) in suburbia. Lol.

6. It probably won't feel good your first time, unless you both have some knowledge of what you're doing and a little of what to expect.

7. I recommend The Guide to Getting It On. I read it and learned a lot. It was a textbook for a class my hubby took in college.

Basically, if you want to have sex just to get it over with or because you're just a normal horny teen who happens to be a girl, if it were me, I'd do it.

If you want to have sex because your embarrassed that you're a virgin because all your friends are not, if it were me, I would not. Whatever happens between my legs is my business unless I tell you it is.

You'll probably have to initiate conversations with guys you like and get used to it so other guys see you a different way. Get that self esteem up, find a guy you like, and just ask him out.

Credentials: I have a B.S. in Biology, my husband has a B.A. in Psychology Minor Philosophy. We have each had 12-15 sex partners. Each with varying degrees of beauty on both sides, some virgins, some much older, much younger, bf's or one night stands. Just lots of experience.

PS-I do think it's important that you really like him and he knows that you don't want a relationship now or that you might.