Parentpedia

What Experts Say

Undoubtedly, teen pregnancy can change your child's life -- and yours -- in an instant. We know that our children are not mature or responsible enough to have a baby; this situation calls for the expression "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, there is not empirical support that abstinence-only programs prevent teen pregnancy. Ultimately, it's your decision how to handle this subject. But even if you hope and pray that your child won't be sexually active, you might still talk to him (or her) about birth control.

Research suggests that a comprehensive sexual education, which...

Undoubtedly, teen pregnancy can change your child's life -- and yours -- in an instant. We know that our children are not mature or responsible enough to have a baby; this situation calls for the expression "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, there is not empirical support that abstinence-only programs prevent teen pregnancy. Ultimately, it's your decision how to handle this subject. But even if you hope and pray that your child won't be sexually active, you might still talk to him (or her) about birth control.

Research suggests that a comprehensive sexual education, which includes information about birth control, can reduce teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Latex condoms are the only birth control method that also reduces the chance of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. It's important that both boys and girls know how to effectively use a condom -- how to put it on correctly and ensure that it stays on, what to do with a used condom, and the need to use a new condom each time. For the most effective birth control protection, condoms should be used in conjunction with another form of birth control such as the birth control pill or spermicidal gel.

Sure, this might be an incredibly uncomfortable discussion to have with your child, but it's nothing compared to the consequence of your child having a child. You might also want to consider talking to your child about how to access family planning services at a local clinic or with a family doctor.

What Do You Say?

Add a Question or Write an Answer

Most Recent Contributors:

Nov 4, 2008 at 5:20:07 PM

see all

Helpful Resources

Tell Your Story

Giggles_all_day
November 27, 2008

Talking to your children

I had always talked to my children about sex. While I wanted them to wait till marriage, I also told them that I would understand if they would be ready before then. I let them know that no matter how I felt, I would take them and we...  read more

Not Acceptable?

keenasheets
September 09, 2008

THE SECRET LIFE OF AN AMERICAN TEENAGER

Well I just turned 35 and i have a high schooler(boy) and a middle schooler(girl). I made a decision a long time ago to always talk to my kids about anything. I have done hopefully a good job at that. But I made a HUGE choice on how to...  read more

Not Acceptable?

ahelley
October 09, 2007

Plans change...

I am just 19 years old and I have a 22 month old little girl named Kendall who is the love of my life! She was born July 2005, I had just turned 17 years old and was about to become a senior in highschool. I wasn't ready for a kid, I was...  read more

Not Acceptable?