Being sexually active may have multiple meanings to adolescents. Certainly these meanings are highly subjective, and vary among individual teens. From the teen's perspective, it may mean or represent ...

that s/he is lovable

that s/he is now an adult

physical pleasure

intimacy with another person

desire to become pregnant or have a child

status in his/her peer group

surrender to desire or to another person

relief from boredom or escape from life's pressures

desire to test out biological equipment or fertility

reenactment of a sexually traumatic event from the past

a sex "trade," i.e., a way of obtaining money or material goods

an expected part of his/her current relationship

"true love"

personal expression of growth

spirituality

a weapon or conquest