Teen, Sex, and Parenting

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Teen, Sex, and Parenting

• By Yu-Ting Su
• Current Problems in HR

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WHY TALK ABOUT SEX?

• Today's society forces our children to be
  sexually aware from an early age whether we like
  it or not. We cannot protect them from it but we
  can help by giving them information and support.

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VALUES AND ATTITUDES

• Each of us has our own values and personal
  beliefs about what we hope for our children and
  how we would like them to behave in their teenage
  years. Values and attitudes about many things are
  passed on easily and powerfully through our words
  and actions. Values about sex are learned in this
  way too.

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• Different cultures and different ages have
  different ideas about when people should be able
  to have sex and who makes a suitable partner.
• By the time children have reached their teens
  they will have many ideas about sex both from
  their family and from he outside world.

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• Influences outside your home (e.g. the media,
  film, magazines and friends) can be very powerful
  and are often be different from your family
  values.
• Sometimes too, parents have different
  expectations and attitudes from one another and
  children will notice these differences

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It is important for teenagers to know that
sexually healthy people of any age

• understand that emotions and relationships are as
  important as the physical acts
• think about what's involved before making any
  decisions about sex
• know what their own values are about sex
• feel good about their sexuality and themselves

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• don't feel afraid, ashamed or guilty
• have a good understanding of such things as body
  parts, how the body works, sexual diseases
• are comfortable with their values about birth
  control
• know when, where and why it is important to get
  medical advice
• are aware of 'safer sex' practices
• feel confident to say 'no'
• know what the law says.

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For Parents

• Know yourself
• Be prepared for your child's sexuality
• Be prepared for different views
• Keep the lines of communication open
• Be prepared for your own feelings and responses
• Keep yourself informed
• Be sure you are speaking the same language
• Make the 'ground' rules clear
• Give information
• Teach sexual responsibility

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End