Planned Parenthood Releases Report on the Power of Parent-Child Connectedness

Planned Parenthood Releases Report on the Power of Parent-Child Connectedness

May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, and as part of an ongoing commitment to public health and education, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS) has released a report on Parent-Child Connectedness (PCC), a key strategy in reducing teen pregnancy and building strong families. The report also has a fact sheet filled with PCC strategies and resources for parents.

The report comes just as Teenwise Minnesota released a new study showing that Minnesota’s teen birth rate has fallen to the lowest point in at least 40 years.
While causes of the downward trend are still a subject of debate, studies show that Parent Child Connectedness is a key factor in preventing teen pregnancies and many other negative adolescent outcomes.

PCC is a strong emotional bond between parent and child. It’s known in the public health world as a “super protector,” buffering adolescents from the many challenges and risks they face, including unintended pregnancy.

Studies show that strong PCC protects against 33 negative adolescent outcomes, such as unintended pregnancy; HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); violence; depression; eating disorders; alcohol, tobacco and drug use; and poor academic achievement.

The report explains the concept of PCC, explores the power of parental influence in the lives of young people, makes recommendations for communities on creating an environment of support for families and empowers parents with real-world strategies to connect with their children.

“We know that parents ideally are the strongest influences in the lives of their teens, and Planned Parenthood is committed to honoring and fostering that connection,” said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.

Each year Planned Parenthood’s Education & Outreach Department reaches more than 28,000 people across the state through family-centered, age-appropriate and culturally relevant programming that includes daylong Parent-Child Retreats on communications and puberty, forums for parents to explore their role as the primary sexuality educators, and tools to get families talking. “Parents are working hard and doing their best,” said Stoesz. “We need to step up and support their efforts.”

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