October is Let's Talk Month
As parents, we all want the best for our teens. That means helping them with homework, encouraging their hobbies, and ...talking about sex.
Teens name parents as the biggest influence on their decisions about sex. And teens who talk to their parents about sex are more likely to wait longer to have sex, and use condoms and other forms of birth control when they do.
We¹re here to help you get the conversation started. Watch this video to learn more.
For Let's Talk Month, Planned Parenthood and Family Circle magazine, with assistance from the Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health (CLAFH) at NYU, conducted a nationally representative survey that revealed
- Parents are significantly more comfortable talking with their teens about sex than teens are talking with their parents.
- Parents think they are having conversations about sex and sexuality more often than their kids think they are, and parents think they are giving a nuanced message while their kids say they hear only simple directives.
- Parents tend to know if their teens are sexually active. Learn more from Family Circle magazine and Planned Parenthood's press release.
Visit Tools for Parents for tips on talking with teens about sex and sexual health, building strong parent-teen relationships, and setting rules that help keep teens safe and healthy.
Parents, Teens, and Sex
For Let's Talk Month, we asked teens and parents — including actors Cynthia Nixon, Elizabeth Banks, and Alfre Woodard — about the conversations they've had with their families about sex. Here are their stories.
Additional Resources
Parents and Teens Talk About Sexuality: A National Poll
Let's Talk: Tips for Talking With Your Children About Sexuality
Let's Talk: Tips for Talking With Your Parents About Sex and Relationships
Parents and Teens Talk About Sexuality: In Their Own Words
Just the Facts: Teen Sexual Behavior and Parent-Child Communication
Los adolescentes y sus padres conversan sobre la sexualidad: una encuesta nacional
Datos relámpagos: la conducta sexual de los adolescentes y la comunicación entre padres e hijos
Sugerencias para conversar con tus padres sobre el sexo y las relaciones
Mes del diálogo: sugerencias para conversar con sus hijos sobre la sexualidad
In the News
Family Circle: How to Have the Sex Talk WithYour Teen
USA Today: How Parents, Teens Handle Talking About Sex
CNN: Cynthia Nixon: Talk to Your Kids About Sex
Huffington Post: Teens, Sex, and Why Talking Matters
Willits News: Planned Parenthood will help adults talk about sex with their kids
Jezebel: James Deen, Courtney Stodden, Tavi and Others Recall Their First ‘Sex Talk’
Valley Advocate: Talking to Kids About Sex--Start Early, Talk Often
Delmarva Now (NY): Teens Even Less Comfortable Discussing Sex With Parents Than Mom And Dad
The Journal (CA): Planned Parenthood Highlights New Survey and Essential Programs
Washington Square News (NY): Survey Focuses on Communications Between Teens, Parents
KCRG (IA): Teaching About Sex Varies in Eastern Iowa Schools
Blog Posts
Family Circle: Momster: Actress Alfre Woodard on Talking to Her Kids About Sex
Family Circle: Momster: One Mom Talks to Her Teenage Daughter About Sex
Family Circle: Momster: Talking About Sex With Your Teen
Family Circle: Momster: 5 Common Parental Concerns About Talking To Your Kids About Sex
Family Circle: Momster: Teach Your Kids to Say No - or Yes - to Sex
Family Circle: Momster: What Parents Fear Most About the Sex Talk (and How to Overcome It)
Family Circle: Momster: The Sex Talk and Your Teen: What's Porn Got to Do With It?
Family Circle: Momster: "The Sex Talk": Why Fathers Have to Get Involved
Family Circle: Momster: 5 Things Every Teen Should Know About Sex
Family Circle: Momster: The Sex Talk Dilemma
Mommyish: It’s Awkward As Balls To Discuss Sex With Kids, Do It Anyway
Country Fried Choice: Let’s Talk About Sex: Getting the Conversation Started for Parents and Teens
Planned Parenthood Votes: October is Let's Talk Month
Child Mind Institute: In October, 'Let's Talk' About Sex
