Talking with your teen about sex improves his or her health. Obviously, knowledge about sex, reproduction, contraception, and sexually-transmitted infections goes a long way to preventing STIs and unplanned pregnancies. That information can come from you, from the school’s sex-ed program or health teacher, and from your child’s healthcare provider. But there are a couple […]
TalkStarters
A lot of people I speak with say they’d like to feel more comfortable talking about sexuality with their partner or their kids, but don’t know how to start. So I’ll help! Part of what makes it hard is that we don’t do it very often. Sex is private and not a suitable topic in polite company. But there are plenty of things about sex and its meaning to us that are worth thinking about, and worth talking about.
Every couple of weeks, I’ll post a TalkStarter you can use to get conversations going with people important to you. Some are suitable for couples; some for you and any adults you’re close to; some for parents with kids of various ages. Hopefully the TalkStarters will give you food for thought and food for conversation.
TalkStarter for Teens and Preteens: Styles at School
Teen styles are constantly changing, but one thing is true every year: Kids dress for social impact. They may not care what adults think about their clothing choices, but they care hugely what their peers think. Because many teens and preteens have so much energy about clothes, it’s a great opener for parents into their […]
TalkStarter for Adults: What Was Your First Time Like?
For a moment, think back to the first time you had (consensual) sex. Is it a fond memory? an awful one? something in between? People have a huge range of experiences in this area, and those early experiences can color our sexual perspective and reactions long after. What impact has your first time had on […]
TalkStarter for Preteens: What’s the Buzz at Camp?
If your teen or preteen goes to camp, she’s put into an environment with kids outside her usual social milieu. Crushes, romances, and rivalries can develop; fascinating information (or misinformation, or rumors) about puberty and sex may be shared around the campfire. Kids may start thinking about these things more or differently than they usually […]
TalkStarter for Teens: SCOTUS on Gay Marriage
The June 26 Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states is a wonderful opportunity for parents to talk with their teens and young adults. What are your kid’s friends saying about the ruling on social media? Do they all think the ruling is a great thing? (Most of the young people I’m […]
TalkStarter for Adults: Are Porn and Romance Novels Equivalent?
Porn can be a very charged topic, especially for women. Some women enjoy porn regularly; others are horrified that their partner would ever view it (even though most men do, whether frequently or occasionally). I’ve known women who were appalled that their husbands view porn, but who themselves regularly enjoy steamy romance novels. This got […]
TalkStarter for Teens and Preteens: 3 All-Purpose Conversation Openers
Sometimes, parents aren’t quite sure what they want to say to their kids about sex. Other times, they know something they want to say, but aren’t quite sure how to get the words out. This happens even with younger kids, but it’s especially true with teens and preteens who may (or may not) know a […]
TalkStarter for Teens: The Excitement of Prom
Prom is the highlight of the high school social calendar—with a thick layer of sexual implications and complications. It’s an emotionally and sexually charged time for a lot of teens. It might be an opportunity to talk, or at least to float some observations that might get your kid thinking. “When I was in high […]
TalkStarter for Teens and Preteens: The Road Trip
Finding the right opportunity with talk to your teen about sex and relationships can be a challenge. Everyone is so busy, and it’s hard to find a time when conversations can unfold naturally. Solution: Create an opportunity for important conversations by taking your teen or preteen on a road trip. The point of the trip […]
TalkStarter for Teens: Use the News
It seems like every day there’s some sort of sex-related scandal in the news: sexual assaults on some campus, a politician or athlete having an affair, allegations of sexual harassment in some organization. These unhappy situations have one silver lining: They can create a topic of conversation with teens. Teens are most likely to resonate […]