Sometimes it's difficult to see your child as anything but
that: a child. Yet, in many ways, teens today are growing up faster
than ever. They learn about violence and sex through the media and
their peers, but they rarely have all the facts. That's why
it's so important for you to talk to your kids about sex,
particularly sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Teens are one of the groups most at risk for contracting STDs.
You can help your kids stay safe by talking to them and sharing
some important information about STDs and prevention. Before you
tackle this sensitive subject, however, it's important to make
sure you not only know what to say, but how and when to say it.
Timing Is Everything
It's never too late to talk to your kids about STDs,
even if they're already teens. A late talk is better than no
talk at all. But the best time to start having these discussions is
some time during the preteen years.
Of course, the exact age varies from child to child: Some kids
are more aware of sex at age 9 than others are at age 11.
You'll need to read your child's cues.
No matter how old your child is, if he or she starts having
questions about sex, it's a good time to talk about STDs.
Questions are a good starting point for a discussion. When kids
are curious, they're more open to hearing what their parents
have to say.
But not all kids ask their parents questions about sex. One way
to initiate a discussion is to use a media cue, like a TV program
or an article in the paper, and ask what your child thinks about
it. Another way to talk to your daughter is to use the human
papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a starting point for a
conversation. The HPV vaccine is recommended for preteen girls, and
has the best chance of protecting against infection if the series
of shots is given before a female becomes sexually active.
The surest way to have a healthy dialogue is to establish lines
of communication early on. If parents aren't open to talking
about sex or other personal subjects when their kids are young,
kids will be a lot less likely to seek out mom and dad when
they're older and have questions.
Spend time talking with your kids from the beginning and
it'll be much easier later to broach topics like sex because
they'll feel more comfortable sharing thoughts with you.
Tips for Talking
To make talking about STDs a little easier for both you and your
kids:
-
Be informed.
STDs can be a frightening and confusing subject, so it may help
if you read up on STD transmission and prevention. You don't
want to add any misinformation and being familiar with the topic
will make you feel more comfortable.
-
Ask what your kids already know about STDs and what else
they'd like to learn.
Remember, though: Kids often already know more than you realize,
although much of that information could be incorrect. Parents
need to provide accurate information so their kids can make the
right decisions and protect themselves.
-
Ask what your kids think about sexual scenarios on TV and
in movies
and use those fictional situations as a lead into talking about
safe sex and risky behavior.
-
Encourage your kids to raise any fears or
concerns
they have.
-
Make your kids feel that they're in charge of this
talk, not you,
by getting their opinions on whatever you discuss. If you let
their questions lead the way, you'll have a much more
productive talk than if you stick to an agenda.
-
Explain that the only sure way to remain STD-free is to
not
have sex or intimate contact with anyone
outside of a committed, monogamous relationship, such as
marriage. However, those who are having sex should always use
condoms to protect against STDs, even when using another method
of birth control. Most condoms are made of latex, but for people
who may have an allergic skin reaction to latex, both male and
female condoms made of polyurethane are available.
Common Questions About STDs
Depending on what your kids have heard from friends and the
media, their questions will probably be fairly straightforward,
such as:
-
What are STDS?
An STD is a sexually transmitted disease.
-
How does someone catch one?
These infections and diseases are spread from one individual to
another during anal, oral, or vaginal sex. They can also be
spread when fingers or objects are used after touching genitals
or body fluids.
-
What do STDs do to a person's body?
The type of STD determines what kinds of symptoms, if any,
someone has. Some STDs cause virtually no symptoms, whereas
others can cause the person to have discharge from the vagina or
penis, sores, or pain. If STDs are untreated, they can lead to
damage to the internal organs and may cause long term health
problems, like infertility or cancer.
-
Are STDs curable or do you have them forever?
Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics, but
some infections - like herpes or HIV - have no cure.
-
Are people who catch STDs somehow bad?
Getting an STD does not mean that someone is a bad person, just
that they need to learn how to prevent future infections.
-
Can you tell that someone has an STD just by looking at
him or her?
People often may not even know that they're infected
themselves. Although there may be visible signs around the
genitals with certain kinds of STDS, like genital warts and
herpes, most of the time, there is no way to look at someone and
know that he or she has an STD.
Answering any of these questions or others as openly as possible
is the best approach. It's up to you to gently correct any
misinformation your kids may have learned. And always answer
questions honestly without being overly dramatic.
It can be tough, but try to avoid getting too emotional or
preachy. You want your kids to know that you're there to
support and help, not condemn.
Finding Reliable Information
Communicating with your kids may not be simple, but it's
necessary. If you're always available to talk, discussions will
come easier. Literature from your doctor's office or
organizations like Planned Parenthood can provide answers.
And websites like
TeensHealth.org
discuss STDs and sex in teen-friendly language. Viewing them
together can help you and your kids start talking.
Your child's school can be an information resource.
Find out when sexuality will be covered in health or science class
and read the texts that will be taught. The PTA may even offer
sessions about talking to teens where you can share tips and
experiences with other parents.
And don't shy away from discussing STDs or sex out of fear
that talking will make kids want to have sex. Informed teens are
not
more likely to have sex, but if they do, they
are
more likely to practice safe sex.
If you try these tactics and still don't feel comfortable
talking about STDs, make sure your kids can talk to someone
who will have accurate information: a doctor, counselor, teacher,
or another family member.
Kids and teens need to know about STDs, and it's better that
they get the facts from someone trustworthy instead of discovering
them on their own.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: November 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.