Pregnancy

Preventing Pregnancy

Teenagers are put in many situations that they may not be prepared for.  Evidence has shown that if teens think through such high risk situations (prior to being put in the actual situation), they may make better decisions.  So, talk with your teens, before they get into tough situations, regarding sex and sexuality and about how best to handle themselves. Helpful ways to do this are noted below:

• Discuss your family values and morals regarding intercourse with your children in a non-threatening manner.  So when is the right time to start talking about sex with your child? It’s a good idea to start laying the groundwork for these conversations long before the onset of puberty. The more frequently and frankly sexual matters are discussed, the easier and even more open such discussions are likely to be as you both grow comfortable with talking about it.
• Discuss the fallacy of urban myths regarding sex and sexuality.
• Always keep lines of communication open so that they can come to you if/when they need help.  Never let them forget that love is unconditional.
• Eat dinner together regularly as a family as this has been shown to promote less risk taking behaviors in children.
• If a child comes to tell you that he/she is sexually active, consider helping your child get contraception to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Tips on how to talk to your children about sex:

How to Talk About Sex With Your Teen

Adolescent Sexuality-Talk the Talk Before They Walk the Walk

Information Last updated August 2018

Disclaimer: All health information on Girlsmarts.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking this because of something you have read on the Girlsmarts.org website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Other Useful Websites

The Campaign to Prevent Unplanned Pregnancy