Parent Child Communication : Risk Behaviors

Over exposure to sexually explicit material is becoming more of the “it” thing to do. With teens being exposed to sex on the internet, television, famous celebrities, and the social media, they are more prone to explore sex and other sexual activities. Even though we cannot watch every move that our teenagers are doing, the best thing we can do is to educate them about the risks of having unprotected sex and all the consequences that are associated with the choice to have unprotected sex. The relationship between teens and their parents can be summed up in two categories; either a great communication relationship, or a lack of communication between the teen and their parents. The teen who has a great communication relationship with their parents will feel comfortable talking to their parent about any sexual encounters and possibly getting the help they will need such as Oral Contraception Pills to avoid pregnancy. But, what about the teen that doesn’t have such a great communication relationship with their parents? These teens could be the ones that are getting pregnant which could be avoided with the correct use of Oral Contraception Pills. A suggested solution to this could be selling an FDA approved Oral Contraception Pill over the counter for easy access to the teen where she can take for herself in the privacy and comfort of her own privacy without the

Stigmatizing sex and forcing teenagers to hide from authority figures in order to engage in it simply makes it more dangerous. Preventing access to birth control is associated with limiting discussion or education with teenagers and their authority figures about sexual behavior. Lack of sex education is associated with positive sexual behaviors, including a significantly reduced likelihood of teen pregnancy (Lindberg and Maddow-Zimet 333). Specifically, teaching adolescents about birth control options increases the likelihood of birth control usage and other safer sexual practices (Lindberg and Maddow-Zimet 337). For instance,

An experiment completed in 2002 identified sex related differences in adolescent risky behavior, with a sample size of 9,601 females and 9,165 males. 32% of males, and 31% of females had friends who used substances. 25% of females engaged in delinquent activities and 39% of males engaged in delinquent activities. 22% of females were smokers, and 21% of males were also smokers. 37% of females were or have had sexual intercourse, and 39% of males. 64% of females used contraception during their first sexual intercourse, and 65% of males used contraception. “p≤.001;∗∗p≤.01;∗p≤.05.” (Wilder, I. E, Watt, T. T 2002). The use of contraception has increased since the 1970’s, but studies show that adolescents are still unlikely to use contraception always. 30% of females, and 18% of males did not use contraception the last time they had intercourse. (Wilder, I. E, Watt, T. T 2002). There are still ongoing issues pertaining to the adolescent’s willingness to participate in risky behavior. One-third of adolescents from the study concluded that they did not use contraception during their first sexual intercourse. Parent’s exposing their children to risky behaviors in turn risk having children who participate in negative

In both cases, Abstinence-only education did not direct them, in any way, to abstain from sex (Valenti). Therefore, given that so many teens will not desist from sex, effective sex education programs have the responsibility to help teens to be aware of the risks and consequences that come along with sexuality, like early pregnancy or STDs (Alford). Such effective programs should employ personalized interviews and follow-ups for each student and parents; as well as committees including doctors, psychologists, pediatricians, and real young people with shocking experience as a teen

Because comprehensive sexuality education classes would encourage adolescences to abstain from sex but also concentrate more on social relationships, sexuality and a broader discussion of safe sex. Whereas, abstinence only programs prohibit or limit contraception information, therefore, aiding in the ineffectiveness of reducing the issues correlating to unsafe sex. Adolescence who receive accurate information about sexuality, including information about how to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and STD’s, are more likely to delay having

Comprehensive sex education is effective at assisting young people to make healthy decisions about sex and adopt healthy sexual behaviors. Strong evidence suggests that comprehensive approaches to sex education help young people both to withstand the pressures to have sex too soon and to have healthy, responsible and mutually protective relationships when they do become sexually active. A November 2007 report found that “two-thirds of the 48 comprehensive programs that supported both abstinence and the use of condoms and contraceptives for sexually active teens had positive behavioral effects (Rochman 2012).” Many delayed or reduced sexual activity, reduced the number of sexual partners, and increased the use of condoms or other contraceptives. Research has identified highly effective sex education and HIV prevention programs affect multiple behaviors and achieve positive health impacts. Behavioral outcomes have included delaying the initiation of sex as well as reducing the frequency of sex, the number of new partners, the incidence of unprotected sex, and increasing the use of condoms and contraception among sexually active participants. Long-term impacts have included lower STI and pregnancy rates (McKeon

Parents want their children to practice abstinence for their health and for a healthy marriage, but would prefer schools encourage and teach abstinence. Many parents do not feel comfortable talking about sex and remaining abstinent . “Some researchers have found that when parents talk to their adolescents about sexuality, adolescents are more likely to delay intercourse and if they have intercourse, to use contraception and have fewer partners.” (Hutchinson Mk, Jemmott JB 3rd, Jemmott LS, Braverman P, Fong GT, 2003) ; “when parents talk about these topics , they tend to lecture possibly inhibiting open communication. “( Jaccard J, Dittus PJ Gordon VV, 2000 ) Parents who feel more confident in their communication with their children have an open, healthy and receptive conversation.

Secondly, when sexual education is taught in schools there are fewer health consequences. Teenagers are curious and thus, will not understand the effects that sex can have emotionally, physically and psychologically. Teen pregnancy is a disquieting reality for many teens. Not surprisingly, as pregnancy has a large impact on adults, but how much more so for naive teenagers? Sexual education empowers teens by providing them with solutions to epidemics such as teen pregnancy. In fact, pregnancy rates decrease when teenagers are being taught comprehensive sexual education. According to SIECUS.org, “comprehensive sex education [is] associated with a 50% lower risk of teen pregnancy”. This is because sexual education programs teach about contraceptives and birth controls. Some parents do not teach their children about

The study’s aims were “to uncover the prime motivators for early sexual involvement, examine attitudes towards pregnancy and contraception, explore peer and family influences on sexual decision-making, and identifying the youth’s preferred sources of information and advice on sexual matters” (Aarons & Jenkins, 2010). The findings revealed that sexual intercourse among adolescents is influenced by various biological and psychosocial factors, such as physical and hormonal changes during puberty, lack of parental supervision or guidance, peer pressure, misinformation about contraception, alcohol and tobacco use, and low school performance (Aarons & Jenkins, 2002). Youth in the study group reported preference of clinics over schools for sex related education and services. The study concluded that intervention is imperative in order to delay and prevent pregnancy.

This study is proposed in order to evaluate the various types of school-based sex education programs and the effect that these specific programs have on teen pregnancy rates. The type of approaches for school-based sex education programs offered to the teenage participants will be peer led, specifically abstinence-based, and adult led. The control group is going to be studied without being offered any of the school based sex education programs. To conduct the study the most effective way possible, a cross-sectional study

Every male and female at a certain age has had the “sex talk” weather its with there parents, teachers or even older siblings. It’s a subject that every kid should know about and the consequences to it. The act of sex is a shared union between two people through loving feelings, which is intended for enjoyment and procreation. Negotiating safe sex is something that should be practiced if the two people are not married or cannot handle the consequences of their actions. It is an extremely important topic that young teens should know about. The consequences of not negotiating safe sex could cost an arm or a leg. The costs include the creation of a child and sexually transmitted diseases. The only prevention methods of stoppage of these two consequences are wearing of condoms, birth control for women, celibacy or surgery to make either partner sterile. The specific issues being investigated on why young teens do not want to use condoms are bizarre. There are a numbered amount of infectious diseases; sexually transmitted infection and HIV can be transmitted by both homosexual and heterosexual contact, such as vaginal intercourse, oral and anal sex. The unambiguous research question being investigated is, why are young teens not comprehending the fact that safe sex is the best sex because you will not get pregnant and it will risk your chances of getting an STD, that you could possibly live with the rest of your life? One out of 20 people in the United States will get infected

Teenagers ' communication with their partners on issues of sex and their use of condoms is greatly influenced by the discussions teenagers have with their parents on issues related to sex. However in this discussion, little is known about the process of parent-teenager communication with regards to the topic under discussion. Understanding what parents discuss with their children and how they discuss it may lead to a greater understanding of teenagers ' sexual behaviours. A literature review of researches done in the previous studies has been done, in order to help to identify the gaps in literature so that further researches in this area can be done.

Teen pregnancy is an issue in the U. S. It is thought of as a widespread issue, which creates a problem and involves the teen mom and her parents as well. The parents’ participation is vital. It’s essential for them to remain involved and participate in the sex preventive measures of their child or children. With this involvement, a smaller quantity of teenagers would probably not be sexually active.

Parents’ Sex Talk with Kids: Too Little, Too Late, authored by Alice Park, states “Parental talks about sex and sexuality need to occur much earlier than they do, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that parents have only one shot at getting it right… experts also say that parents should discuss certain issues with their children at age-appropriate times, and that the discussion should evolve as children mature” (2008). When a child is curious about anything they will investigate on their own, usually the investigation leads to questioning peers and other people their age. When a child learns about sex through other children or adolescents they will, most likely, not be getting all the facts and it may lead to personal investigation through physical exploration. This can lead to children having sex too early. Having sexual education in schools can ensure that children and adolescents will be getting educated properly.

Parents are men and women that come together to teach their child or children right and wrong in life. Parents play a big role in their children lifestyle and honestly it can affect the child’s future. As the child matures into a teenager they develop physically and mentally changes. One big fact a teenager faces is sex. Sex can be a very beautiful thing if taught correctly, but can also be very terrifying, especially if you do not know consequences about it. Parents often run away from the sex talk or just figure if the child takes a sex class they will comprehend better. They do not understand by taking the class it is more biology perspective than an emotional one. Another reason parents avoid this talk is because, they feel like their child is too young to understand what is happening. “To better understand the impact of parents and family communication on teenage sexual activities, research needs to consider both the content and quality of adult– youth communication.”