Let's have a look at 10 Dating Myths:

1. Sex is a normal part of life, everyone's doing it

Television and media would have you believe that a first date always ends in sex, and it's normal to simply respond to your urges. Television doesn't reflect real life but is there simply to entertain and sell you products in the break. Little thought is given to the physical and emotional consequences of casual sex. If sex outside of marriage is so normal then why are STI's and unwanted pregnancies so dramatically on the increase and people are increasingly stuggling to commit to marriage?

2. My partner wants to have sex because he/she loves me

In "Every Young Woman's Battle" Shannon Ethridge beautifully writes 'Guys give love to get sex. Girls give sex to get love'. Rather than love, more common reasons for having sex are giving in to physical urges, peer pressure, low self-esteem, drunkeness, competitiveness, fun, and quite simply not being able to think of a reason not to.

3. If I sleep with him/her he'll/she'll know that I'm serious

Or they'll know that you're easy to get in to bed and won't trust you to leave their sight. There are ways to prove that you're serious about a relationship, usually they involve not having sex, but instead making plans and getting to know family and friends.

4. Sex is the next step in our relationship

Relationships can be a incredible time of getting to know someone, enjoying the light-headed feeling of romance and finding out what you are looking for in a life-long partner. Rushing the journey will leave you with nothing to learn about each other and usually lead to insecurities and boredom.

5. Sex must be right, it feels right

Who wants to be completely led by feelings? Would you trust a life-long partner to be faithful to you when you know that they respond to what 'feels right'?

6. We practice safe-sex

There's no such thing as safe-sex. Sex with no risk of STI's isn't possible unless both partners are virgins. There is no evidence that condoms will protect from common STI's such as chlamydia and cannot possibly protect from HPV as they don't cover the infected area. Any sexual contact can leave you at risk of catching an STI. Condom manufacturers state that 3% of condoms just don't work (would you take those odds at Alton Towers?) and you are still at risk of pregnancy even with regular use of condoms or other contraceptive. See our section on 'Contraception Facts' for more information.

7. It's just sex

Sex isn't just responding to a natural urge, it's also an emotional and spiritual act. Sex involves your whole body and mind and can have life-long consequences. It's not a dangerous indoor sport, it's giving yourself completely to another human being. I can't think of anything more serious or vulnerable that a person can do in this life.

8. It won't matter when I meet Mr/Mrs Right

What if Mr/Mrs Right doesn't want to have sex with someone when they find out how many people have been there? What if the person you're having casual sex with turns out to be the sibling or best friend of Mr/Mrs Right? Mr/Mrs Right might prefer someone with self-control that they can trust to surpress their urges when someone else appears on the scene. Meeting the 'right one' doesn't validate your sexual history, it just adds regret and emotional baggage.

9. I'm ready for dating

So many people feel their ready for dating because they have emotions or physical urges they believe they should respond to. Actually you should consider if you have something of value to offer another person to enhance their journey, are you secure in who you are and prepared to make sacrifices to see another person succeed in life? Children are not allowed to use the weights in a gym because their muscles aren't developed enough - children and young people should also consider the emotional risks involved in relationships and respect their heart by waiting to date.

10. When I'm married/in a relationship I'll be secure

Insecure girls make insecure wives, insecure men make insecure husbands. Don't rely on someone else to make you happy, find out who you are, what you like, what you want BEFORE you inflict yourself on another human being. Confidence is attractive and emotional maturity comes from making great decisions, not acting on impulses.