Make A New Year’s Resolution…To Talk About Sex

This festive season national charity Parentline Plus are asking ‘do you know what your teenagers are up to this party season?’

Parentline Plus is encouraging parents to make an early New Year’s resolution to talk about sex with their teens as part of its Time to Talk campaign. By doing this, the charity say, parents could help delay their teen’s sexual activity and reduce unplanned teenage pregnancy and STIs

Jane Butterworth, agony aunt for the News of the World, says; ‘I still receive letters from pubescent teenagers who believe myths such as 'you can't get pregnant if you do it standing up.' It's clear from this that a lot of parents find it hard to talk about sex with their children, and yet the more knowledge young people have the less chance they have of ending up with unplanned and unwanted pregnancies.’

Parentline Plus receives around 4,000 calls every year to its 24 hour free helpline from parents worried about underage sex. A report launched by the charity revealed that many parents feel their children are ‘out of control’ and have reached ‘crisis point’ as a result.

‘We know that parents want to talk to their children but are often unsure of how and when to do it’, says Dorit Braun, Chief Executive for Parentline Plus, ‘If the lines of communication are opened up at an early age, then It becomes much easier to talk about sex and relationships and to give easy to understand messages on contraception and the importance of safe sex.’

The Parentline Plus Time to Talk tips include:

• Use everyday media to start conversations – soaps, adverts, TV programmes, magazines – then you can talk about other people which is sometimes easier to start with
• Talk about the importance of considering the feelings of others in relationships, and not just the biology
• Ask them about what they think about waiting to have sex with someone they care about, and who will share responsibility for the contraception and safer sex
• Talk when you are doing everyday things together so it feels more natural - washing up, walking somewhere, watching TV so it’s a normal part of family life

Parents wanting a Time to Talk leaflet or support can call Parentline Plus’ 24hr freephone confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222, e-mail parentsupport@parentlineplus.org.uk or go to the website www.parentlineplus.org.uk.