It will never be easy to talk to teens about sex,STDs and pregnancy, but a report just issued by the Guttmacher Institute indicates teen pregnancy has increased 3% among 15 to 19 year olds, making it more important than ever to communicate with teens. Just two months ago, Fox News reported the birth of a child to an 11-year old girl, one of the youngest pregnancies documented in the U.S. As a parent, having
"The Talk' is probably one of the most difficult and challenging moments of parenthood. It’s tough to believe your child is mature enough to even understand what you will be talking about and harder yet to know where and how to begin. Parents should not feel like they are condoning sexual activity just because they arm their children with information about how to protect themselves from STDs, AIDS, and unwanted pregnancy. Along with information about protection, you can teach your teens to recognize their own limits and make sure they know it's not just ok to say NO but that saying NO can save their lives
It is vital to make sure teens know about safety, whether they are sexually active now or they become sexually active in the future.TeezItNow utilizes a unique format to deliver the “Practice Safe Sex” message, by using hundreds of "IT-ioms" to make initiating and talking to teens about all these very sensitive issues much easier and comfortable for everyone. Just talking to your teen about the pressure that can go along with 'hanging out and hooking up, especially now that Spring is here and they will soon have a-lot of time alone during Summer vacation. One mom's response to TeezItNow's approach says it all: "Where were you seven years ago when I was having the Talk with my other children? All I can say is, I'm glad you are here now! As far as I'm concerned, you have reinvented The Talk"
Don't let your teen assume that silence means you condone sexual behavior. Have frank discussions with your teens about the ramifications of unprotected sex. When parents don't talk to their teens about sex, teens assume that having sex is ok or try to find the information somewhere else. According to StayTeen.org, teens want clear and accurate information from their parent, they want honesty and information, not threats or personal experiences. Having a chat with your teens before that moment arrives when they will have to make one of the biggest possibly life saving decisions of their lives may help arm them with the willpower and knowledge to say, and the information and protection they will need if they say yes..
We believe in the ABCs (Abstinence Before Condoms), but given the stark realities of peer pressure and the desire to fit in, we as parents need to be proactive about opening the door to conversations about sex. We cannot prevent our teens from being bombarded by sexual pressure, messages and images, but we must be the source of educational and accurate information they receive.
No one should ever feel obligated to participate in sex if they don't want to, no matter how special the moment might feel, but understanding how to protect oneself from the AIDS, STDs, and unplanned pregnancy is an important conversation all parents should have with their teens. By having "The Talk" you are empowering your child to have a say in their lives, health and future.
