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Parents in the Know
As a parent, you hold the key to helping your teen choose abstinence. Just because you may have made a mistake – or a number of mistakes – doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share your wisdom with your teen. Be open. Tell them what happened to you. Let them know about the consequences that may have happened to someone you know – maybe even yourself – because of sex outside of marriage. Your words just might be the encouragement your teen needs to make the right choice. Also, make sure that you educate yourself on the STI/STD epidemic that teenagers are facing. Find out what your teen is learning about sex through school, music, television, magazines, the Internet, books and peers.
Whatever you do, never make yourself “unreachable” as a parent. Especially if your child is ever in danger, the first person you want that teenager to turn to is you. Make sure your teen knows that whatever the situation might be, you can be the one he or she turns to and depends on, because you are a "Parent in the Know." 1. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. With one voice: America's adults and teens sound off about teen pregnancy. Washington, DC: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy; 2001. |
Parents too often feel embarrassed about talking with their teenage children about sex. Yet research shows that when asked about the most influential factor their own sexual decision-making, teenagers say that their parents are the most influential factor.
Understand the youth culture. Know the scientific data. Make that heartfelt appeal to your teenager with the advice he or she needs.
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