Experts Help Parents Get Strategy to Talk to Children About Sex in October
Phoenix AZ (October 20, 2014) – According to a study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (NCPTP), teens say consistently that parents are the biggest influencer on their decisions about sex and relationships.
Diane DeLong, senior program manager of North Star Youth Partnership, says that overall closeness between parents and their children, shared activities and parental presence in the home reduce the risk of early sex and teen pregnancy. “Teens who are close to their parents and feel supported by them are more likely to abstain from sex, wait until they are older to begin having sex, and have fewer sexual partners,” she said.
DeLong added that parents and caregivers need to teach their children about sexuality before their peers or the media does. Parents who clearly communicate the importance of delaying sex can help reduce the risk that their child will engage in sexual activity, contract sexually transmitted diseases or become pregnant.
To help parents begin these important discussions with their older children and teens, North Star Youth Partnership is sponsoring Let’s Talk Month. Throughout the month of October, North Star is offering free workshops.
The free workshops are for parents and youth caregivers and address the factors influencing teen sex and its negative impact, as well as ways to stay involved with their teens and help them to make healthy choices. To learn more about attending or hosting a workshop, contact Diane DeLong at 602.650.4888 or ddelong@cc-az.org.
Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities provides care for the vulnerable of all faiths in Phoenix and northern Arizona through programs in foster care, early start education, housing, veteran services, refugee relocation and poverty reduction. Learn more by visiting www.catholiccharitiesaz.org. Social connections include www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesAZ and twitter.com/CCArizona.