Parents can guide teens about sex

Talking to teens about sex and relationships is more complicated than ever.

A new set of communications tools for parents, offering guidance for both them and their teens, can make this important task easier.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released several free resources that focus on these delicate topics, including two free guidebooks and a new website, www.4parents.gov.

“Decisions about relationships and intimacy are made in a moment, but often have lasting consequences,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. “These issues are some of the most important choices teens face physically and emotionally.”

Recent research continues to show that parents, not peers, have the greatest impact on teen’s sexual decisions, yet many parents fail to take advantage of their influence.

Some parents are embarrassed talking with their teens about sex, and they may be uncomfortable discussing choices they made when they were teens.

As such, the new resources for parents provide tools for engendering discussions with teens on everything from abstinence to condom use to diseases and teen pregnancy.

Features of the 4parents.gov website include medically accurate information about a variety of health topics, interactive tools, statistics and conversation starters.

A new guidebook titled “Parents, Speak Up” is designed to complement 4parents.gov. The guide aims to help equip parents of preteens and adolescents with the understanding, knowledge, skills and tools they need to talk with their teens about the risk associated with early sexual activity and the benefits of abstinence until marriage.

“Parents have a tremendous influence and we want them to talk with their teens about abstinence so that they can stay safe and healthy,” said Leavitt.

In addition, a “Teen Chat” guidebook is designed for preteens and teens through age 19. “Teen Chat” provides information about sex and relationships, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), peer pressure and abstinence.

This guidebook for teens even provides suggested activities such as icebreakers for talking with parents, and a short quiz to increase awareness of STDs.

This “Teen Chat” guide can also be used as a resource for parents and organizations or institutions that work with teens.

The two guidebooks are collaborations between HHS’ Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Population Affairs. Copies of the guides are available online at www.4parents.gov or by contacting the Office of Population Affairs Clearinghouse via e-mail at clearinghouse@dhhsopa.net.

This story provided by StatePoint Media.