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Contraception in adolescence: how to talk about it

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Contraception in adolescence: how to talk about it
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According to an American study, adolescents whose parents have talked to them about contraception tend to protect themselves better sexually. Even if you are afraid to talk to your teenager about it, as you realise this means they are becoming an adult, it is extremely important to explain the risks they are exposing themselves to (AIDS, STDs, STIs, unwanted pregnancies, etc.).

Broach the topic, or wait for them to ask?

When young people hit secondary school, they acquire the majority of their sexual knowledge from their peers, their experiences and by themselves. Their first experiences tend to take place between 15 and 18 years of age. If you don’t talk to them about contraception before their first steps into their sexual lives, and decide to wait until they ask you questions, you could be leaving them exposed to health risks. 

It may be better to give your implicit support, by broaching the subject of contraception, rather than allowing your teenager to take risks. If a teenager knows how to use condoms (male or female) in order to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and infections or AIDS, and/or are on the pill or another contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancy, they will be kept safer.

Informed teenagers are protected teenagers

An American study was carried on over 10,000 high school students, who filled out two questionnaires at one year intervals. When the teenagers thought that their parents – particularly their mothers – approved of the use of contraception, they tended to have sex at a younger age, but they tended to be more careful about using contraception.

Thus, parental authorisation translates as better protection of teenagers from the risks linked to sexually transmitted diseases and infections or from unwanted pregnancies.

The importance of the quality of the parent-teenager relationship

The same team of researchers had previously published a study on parent-child links and on sexuality, by interviewing the mothers of the same population of high school students.

According to their conclusions, the better the familial relationships, the later the adolescents became sexually active. However, in adolescents whose mothers were against their being sexually active, they tended to start having sex later.

On a side note, the adolescents who were already having sex were more likely to use contraception when they had good relationships with their parents.

Sex education: a gentle dialogue

There is no point in giving your teenager an intensive 2 hour crash course, to brief them on all the existing means of contraception and to address other intimate questions. Bit if you feel that they may be about to embark on their first sexual experiences, ask them if they would like to buy condoms, and explain what they are for, if they don’t already know.

If your child is a girl, she may want or need to consult a gynaecologist at the local family planning centre, rather than going to her mother’s doctor. She may want to go alone or with a friend. You can offer to bring her there or to accompany her.

By gently introducing your teenager to the responsibilities of young adulthood, you put a certain amount of trust in them, which will make it easier for them to talk to you about such things whenever they feel the need.

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