May 2010 Archives

This is a great list of attributes of parents of sexual healthy adolescents! How do you measure up? Where can you make improvements?

Parents of sexually healthy adolescents:

• Demonstrate value, respect, acceptance, and trust in their adolescent children.
• Model sexually healthy attitudes in their own relationships.
• Maintain a non-punitive stance toward sexuality.
• Are knowledgeable about sexuality.
• Discuss sexuality with their children.
• Provide information on sexuality to their children.
• Seek appropriate guidance and information as needed.
• Try to understand their son's or daughter's point of view.
• Help their daughter or son gain an understanding of their values.
• Set and maintain limits for dating and other activities outside of school.
• Stay actively involved in their son's or daughter's life.
• Ask questions about friends and romantic partners.
• Provide a supportive and safe environment for their children.
• Offer to assist adolescents in accessing health care services.
• Help their daughter or son plan for their future.
  

From Facing Facts: Sexual Health for America's Adolescents, SIECUS, New York, NY, 1995.

New findings reveal that sexually active teens are at a greater risk of unintended pregnancies than previously thought.

Previous calculations surveyed the total numbers of teens sexually active or not. In a more recent study by Lawrence B. Finer, director of domestic research at the Guttmacher Institute, a new calculation evaluated the ratio of sexually active teen girls only along with pregnancies and found that the numbers are much higher than formerly considered.

As parents we must ensure that teen girls between the ages of 15-19 are well informed of all risks before they become sexually active.

To read the full study here: “Unintended Pregnancy Among U.S. Adolescents: Accounting for Sexual Activity,” by Lawrence B. Finer, director of domestic research at the Guttmacher Institute . The article will appear in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health and is currently available online.