Are you a single teen who sees couples at school and wonders if being a couple is better than being single? It’s National Unmarried and Single Americans Week, and we want to set the record straight on being single!

Myth: You’re the only person not in a relationship.

That’s just not true. People live a huge part of their lives as singles. So why worry about it? You have the rest of your life to think about finding a partner.

Myth: You’re single because there’s something wrong with you.

Finding someone you’re compatible with takes time and, for some people, lots of dates. Just because you’re not in a relationship doesn’t mean you’re messed up. It just means you haven’t clicked with someone yet.

Myth: You’re unhappy, miserable and lonely without a partner.

There are millions of happy, single Americans living life to the fullest every day. If you’re feeling especially sad and lonely, a relationship won’t make those feelings go away. Talk to a mental health professional if these feelings persist.

Myth: You’re incomplete, and a partner makes you whole.

If you believe this, then you’re definitely not ready for a relationship. How can you start a healthy relationship if you think you’re somehow broken? Get into a relationship because you like the other person, not because you can’t be alone.

Myth: You’ll be home alone on Friday nights. You have no life if you’re single.

Woe is me! A quiet night at home isn’t a bad thing. Why sit by the phone waiting for it to ring, when you can pursue a hobby or make plans with your friends.

Don’t forget: Whether you’re single or in a relationship, not having oral, anal or vaginal sex is the only way to totally protect yourself from unplanned pregnancy and STDs.

Are you a fan of the hit show Gossip Girl? There’s been some controversy over the promos for the new season. Critics argue that the promos are way too sexual and that the ads are sending the wrong message to the show’s teen audience. Take a look at the promos for Gossip Girl in the clip below:

These ads are just another example of sexualized advertisements that specifically target teens. Did you notice the OMFG? Some adults might not know what that means, but ask almost any teen and he or she will know. The teen-friendly OMFG sends a message that clearly says, “Hey teens, watch Gossip Girl! The sex scenes are outta control!” And, just in case you don’t realize how much sex there is on the show, a voice says the word “sex” over and over while sex scenes from the show flash across the screen.

Some people might think, So what? I’ve seen ads like this before. What’s the big deal?

The big deal is that ads like these present a warped view of sexuality that’s all about sexual fantasy and not reality. Important parts of sex—like communicating with your partner and using condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy—are completely left out of the picture. With teens and middle-school kids watching, you have to wonder: How are they supposed to learn about the really important parts of sex that we don’t see on TV, like deciding if you want to have sex, communication and condoms?

The next time you’re watching TV and you see a sex scene, take note: Do the partners discuss their expectations of sex? How about using condoms or other methods of birth control? Do they talk at all about preventing STDs? You’ll find that although there’s tons of sex on TV, there are few realistic portrayals of responsible safer sex.

It’s well known that February 14 is Valentine’s Day, but not many people realize that it’s also National Condom Day.

Some people think that talking about condom use before having sex ruins the romance, but that’s totally untrue. Condoms and romance go hand-in-hand! Want to know what really kills romance? Pregnancy panics and STD scares because you didn’t use a condom during sex!

Don’t let candy hearts or red and pink M&M’S overshadow the importance of condoms on V-Day. Talk to your partner about using condoms before having sex. It’s a smart and sexy way to show your partner that you really care about him or her.

Sometimes couples go crazy making sure that plans are perfect for Valentine’s Day. You have to worry about where to have dinner, or you go on a wild treasure hunt through the mall to find the perfect gift. Oh yeah, don’t forget the flowers, and make sure your outfit is extra cute. Be super nice and on your very best behavior!

Have you ever wondered why so much importance is placed on Valentine’s Day? What happened to the other 360-something days of the year? Shouldn’t we treat our partners with love and respect every day and not just on February 14?

Just imagine how much better relationships could be if you took time to treat your girlfriend or boyfriend like royalty on ordinary days and not just Valentine’s. It’s the little things—everyday honest conversations, thank yous and I love yous—that make a relationship special. If you keep that in mind, February 14 becomes just another amazing day of the year with your partner.