What Teens Want Adults to Know

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy asked teens to give “advice” to parents about talking to kids about sex.  Here are the top tips from teens:

  1. Show us what good, responsible relationships look like.
  2. Talk to us honestly about love, sex and relationships.
  3. Just telling us not to have sex is not enough.
  4. Even if we don’t ask, we still have questions.
  5. Whether or not we’re having sex, we need to be prepared.
  6. If we ask about sex or birth control, don’t assume we’re already “doing it”.
  7. Pay attention to us before we get in trouble.
  8. Don’t leave us alone so much.
  9. We care what you think, even if we don’t act like it.



Source:  Parent Power: What parents need to know and do to help prevent teen pregnancy.  The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 2004.