I always got so mad at the term "sexually active." It's like, I'm currently not having sex so I'm not sexually active but, if I have had sex before, does that mean I'm sexually active? Is the first time I do something sexual a "switch flipper" and I am turned "On" sexually. LOL I don't know. Does anybody else find this term confusing or strange?
^ This LOL. I take it to mean that I'm currently engaging in sexual activity, ie. that I have a regular sexual partner or have had one in the near past. However, I now wonder how long ago my previous sexual activity needs to be in order to qualify as 'sexually active'? What if I had sex a week ago but don't expect it to happen again for years? What if I last had a lot of sex a month ago? What if I hadn't had sex for a long time but thought I might get lucky that evening? Am I sexually active (again) yet? :roflmao:
Admittedly the term is imprecise. In most academic contexts, it means the point from which people have initiated sexual activity for the first time. Under this, people don't become "sexually inactive" once they become "activated". It's kind of like flipping on a light switch with a hammer, then destroying said light switch. Our language is stupid...
^Yeah, that's how I've always heard it used. Once you've become sexually active, you can never go back to being "inactive". That's why it's used in the context of teenagers because there's a good chance the person will be either one.
I think it's a term used to identify if you've had sexual contact - i.e. in medical terms, the (however remote) possibility that you could have an STI. Granted this is more relevant in young people.
It's a better way of asking someone, especially a teen: "Are you a virgin?" because that's a much harder to answer question for some people. But yea sexually activated sounds funny.
I personally don't like the term "Sexually Active" because if you don't have sexually activity for some time and don't plan to, shouldn't that make you sexually inactive. Or dormant, like a volcano...idk
"Are you NOW or have you EVER BEEN a member of the naughty sex-having party!" You are right. It is an ambiguous terminology.
I personally love the term sexually active, and I wish more people would use it over virgin because It's more fluid and helpful, AND it applies to all consensual sex acts. Generally though, I take it to mean someone is having sex currently. I don't consider someone sexually active if they have had sex 5 years ago and had no action since then.
It's a necessary medical term. Are you doing something sexual with another human being. If yes, say so. If no, say so. It rules things out. If you had sex before, you had sex before, but you are currently sexually inactive. If you are not regularly having sex, you are not sexually active. I don't really see how it's confusing, strange or even worth getting angry over? The only times I ever hear it used are at medical visits. Or when I was a kid in high school.
I hate it. I haven't had sex for 12 years, but it doesn't mean I am asexual and not looking for a boyfriend(or in some cases girlfriend). I'm glad I'm not the only one feels this way about the term.
I always took it to mean not currently/regularly having sex, rather than simply having had it at least once, even if that time was ten years ago.
