Encouraging Healthy Sexuality

Promoting Healthy Sexuality - Teens

• Introduction
• Tips For Talking With Teens
• Handling Sexual Issues & Situations

Introduction

Talking with your teen about sex can be challenging for even the most easygoing parents.

Some prefer to stay silent and assume their teens will pick up what they need to know from school and the media. Others parents believe that talking to teens about sex will encourage sexual experimentation.

The truth is that your teenager needs to be informed and have the necessary skills and information to act responsibly and safely. As your children grow into teenagers, you’ll keep the lines of communication open when you recognize, respect, encourage, show and guide.

Recognize	Recognize when your teens need clear rules and supervision. When they demonstrate good judgement they’re ready for greater independence.
Respect	Respect your teens' need for privacy and their space.
Encourage	Be encouraging. Help your teens to feel good about themselves, their changing bodies and their emotions.
Show	Be a good role model. Show your interest by being ready to listen without prying for personal details.
Guide	Guide your teens as they develop their own personal value systems.

Some of your teen’s values will be different from yours. Expect them to test you; otherwise they wouldn't be thinking for themselves. They need to know you won’t over-react when they share their thoughts and feelings.

Examples of values related to sexuality include:

• Choice, respect, commitment and love.
• Taking time for a relationship to grow and deepen before having sex.
• Choosing abstinence.
• Being open to sexual orientation.
  A teen who is struggling alone with sexual orientation and identity is at high risk for depression and suicide. If you’re uncomfortable with homosexuality or bisexuality, get knowledgeable support for yourself and your teen.

Tips for Talking With Teens

• Share your family values through informal conversations. Most teens pay no attention to lectures.
• Encourage your teen to share his or her opinions about music lyrics, commercials, movies, and the latest sitcoms.
• Avoid criticizing the pop culture that fascinates most teens.
• Explore the difference between love and infatuation, and help your teen recognize the signs of a healthy relationship and an unhealthy relationship.
• Challenge the media’s distorted view about sexuality and relationships.
• Visit our Relationships section with your teen to learn more about these issues.

Help Your Teen Handle Sexual Issues and Situations

Always remember that you - not television, celebrities or friends - are the most important role model for your teen.

Teens need to know not only their sexual rights and responsibilities, but also how to protect themselves against bullying, drink spiking, date rape and sexual harassment.

You can promote healthy sexuality in your teen by helping him or her:

• Make the right decisions about sex.
• Be assertive.
• Handle pressure.
• Understand the responsibilities of being in a relationship.
• Strengthen his or her self-esteem.
• Realize the negative consequences of choosing to be sexually active.