An 18-year-old schoolboy has criticised the culture of casual sex, saying it brings unhappiness rather than satisfaction.
Phin Lyman told his school magazine why he is abstaining from sex, and described his concern over the level of peer pressure on young people regarding casual sex.
He rejects the idea that he is missing out: “I really believe I am not. The people sleeping around are the unhappy ones”.
Drunk
Lyman studies at Wellington College, a co-educational day and boarding school in Berkshire.
He noted: “I would say 90 per cent of people are drunk when they lose their virginity.
“It doesn’t make them happy and it upsets me to see it”.
Love
According to The Times, which reported the story, he said: “I believe that sex is an incredibly strong symbol of love between two people.
“Think of it as glue. Once you have sex with someone, you’re connected to them emotionally and physically.
“If you tear that bond the rip leaves open scars where the glue once was.
“That’s why ‘casual sex’ never works in the long term”.
Regret
He explained there have been occasions when he struggled to maintain his position on the issue: “There have been times I have been in a position where I could have gone and had sex with someone. I have had to step back and say ‘No, I am going to regret it’.”
He commented: “One of the reasons I decided to go public is I am at the top of the school now and I can look down and see there is so much pressure on younger pupils to have sex.”
He also remarked that many boys are educated about sex through online pornography.