Safe Sex

Teenagers are often placed in situations that they may not be prepared for. Evidence has shown that if teens consider high risk situations prior to actually experiencing that situations, they may make better decisions. So, talk with your teens often about possible risky situations and about how you feel they should handle them. 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 your child comes to tell you that he/she is sexually active, consider helping your child get contraception and condoms to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.