Parent-teen communication and teenage reproductive health :
We understand, as teens, that nobody is excited about talking to their parents on this topic!  ‘Hey mom, let’s talk about sex today, or you know what, I think I am ready to talk about sex!’ is not something that comes out easily. You’d rather talk to your parent about career choices you plan to take up or simply have a ‘what is for dinner’ type of conversation. Whether you believe it or not, having ‘the talk’ could be a nightmare for most of the teens out there. Still why would it be necessary to have a healthy sex talk with your parents?
To give an answer to all your ‘whys’ and the ‘hows’ of talking to your parent about sex, take a quick look at the article below.

Do I really need to talk to my parents about sex? 

If you find the idea of talking to your parents about sex dreadful and anxious, don’t worry; you’re not alone in this. According to studies, 83% of teens are scared to open up about it. To an extent, most teens don’t even utter the word ‘SEX’ in the presence of their parents, which is completely understandable. But what comes striking is that there is another group of teens ranging up to 30% that have knocked their fears and opened up doors to healthy parent-teen communication!

“It’s important to start the conversation long before you need to have it,” say most sexologists and adolescent psychologists. Teens who have had ‘sex talk’ are more careful about unplanned pregnancy, protection from sexually transmitted infections, and contraception. Overall, these teens are well aware of teen reproductive health and well-being. Therefore, whether you’re sexually active or ready for it, this will help you open doors to healthy parent-teen communication.

Why are parents afraid to talk about sex? 

Before we delve into the real conversation, let us first know why parents hesitate after hearing the word ‘sex’. There could be many reasons to it; the foremost could be the culture that you’re surrounded by. Talking to your parents about sex could give you a hard time, especially when you belong to a family with conservative beliefs. As teens, you cannot expect adults to instantly adapt and accept the changing dynamics. The path from conservative to modern might take some time; therefore, take small steps before talking to your parents about sexual health.

The next prominent reason could be that parents often fail to view their children as sexual beings. Just like when we were kids, we could not imagine our parents hugging or having an intimate moment. The same is the situation in the adult minds. But should that stop you from talking to your parents about sex? Certainly not! If you’re worried that they’ll reprimand you or maybe it’ll be too embarrassing, the next segment will have you covered!

How do I talk to my parents about sex?

This is where the tough part slides in, but as you move ahead with your conversation, it eases up quite well. The main deal is to initiate the conversation, and here are some tips to have ‘the talk’ with your parents:

  1. Right time and right place: The time and place definitely matter! You would not want to bring up a conversation like this in the middle of a heated argument or in a place crowed with your relatives. Talking to your parents about sexual health is a choice made after a lot of thinking! Not a knee jerk response! Don’t make it futile by bringing it up in the wrong space.
  1. Set the stage:Don’t go all in like, ‘Hey, I was thinking of talking about sex’ (unless your parents are really cool). Instead, set up a conversation starter. Something from a movie or a book that you’ve read. Or best, go ask some advice related and then go ahead building up the conversation. Trying giving them a head about ‘yes, it’s okay. Let us talk!’ Try breaking the ice with ‘ I want to have an important talk’ and then gradually move ahead.

  1. Set the right tone:We understand having a discussion like this is awkward for both sides. But leaving aside your discomfort, it is vital to talk with confidence. Talking to your parents about sex is a task, but don’t make them feel the same. Create a natural flow and talk about it!

Conclusion: 

Remember, talking to your parents about sexual health will not always be as fruitful as you think. There could be times when their discomfort could be greater than your thought about teen reproductive health, and it is completely normal! Do not expect them to break the cocoon in an instant; remain patient. If you are really concerned about your parent's reaction and its possible unpleasant after effects, maybe you should put off the conversation for some time and meanwhile have a healthy conversation with a trusted adult or a counsellor.