Teen’s sexual health – talking to your teen about sex

The Uneasy Topic of Sex

It’s funny how vulnerable our teens can be when it comes to this sensitive topic called sex.

Take for example, the messages that our teens are getting from movies and television "Consider the impressions they're likely to take away from a film such as Titanic," writes Dr. Meeker, one of those at the forefront in battling the Teen Sex Epidemic. "Do kids even remember the movie is based on a true historical event? Do they remember the old couple who held each other as the ship sank so they could die in each other's arms? The captain who shut himself in his cabin to go down with his ship? Of course not. Kids remember the steamy windows of the car parked below-deck in which Jack and Rose made passionate love. Did she get pregnant? Herpes? Chlamydia? No. She got the 'strength' from this three-day tryst to 'go on'".

It isn’t too surprising therefore that sex is one of the appealing, intimidating and perplexing issues that our teens face to day. And one wrong move about it, just a single unprotected sex, can be very deadly. Undoubtedly, teens are afire with raging hormones ready like a charging bull to explore on the possibilities that they can easily lay their hands on. But you, as a parent, or any concerned individual, can actually stop the raisin of the red flag. They can be so charged up with libido but this did not make our teens stupid, we can always talk to them.

A study on Teen Attitudes Toward Sex actually gives us a go signal to talk sex to our teens.  A Teen Sex New Poll shows majority of teens regret having sex. According to the study:

“Almost two-thirds of teenagers who have had sexual intercourse regret not waiting, according to a poll released by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Individually, 55% of boys and 72% of girls surveyed said they wish they had waited longer to have sex. Thirty-seven percent of teens cited their parents as the people who are the most influential in their decisions about sex, with 30% citing friends, 11% naming the media and an additional 11% identifying their religious communities as their strongest influence. “

Apparently, parents must still play an active role in helping teens understand better that sex can wait inspite of media’s strong role in providing information about it. Talking to your teens about sex demands that you be the source of a gentle, continuous flow of information that must begin as soon as possible. Such that as your teen grows into adult life the education you had given becomes his or her guide as she will gradually grow to understands and appreciate the subject well.

However, pay heed that while our teens may need to know the nitty-gritty biological facts about sex, it must also be emphasized that sexual relationships are more than just what’s physical. Involve caring, concern and responsibility in the nurturing of relationships. The more your teens will understand is, the better they will be able to cope give a better perspective towards sex in the general schema of life. Also, by discussing the emotional aspect of a given sexual relationship your teen will be better informed so as to make better decisions later on and be able to resist peer pressure. Do not limit your conversations, for maturity doesn’t come with age. If you feel that your teen is ready to know about certain aspects of a sexual relationship, feel free.