The Department of Health has used School Leavers Week to advise parents of the importance of talking to their teenage children about sex and relationships.
Manager of the Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program at the Department, Lisa Bastian said the conversations could help young people feel prepared and less likely to engage in risky behaviour on the spur of the moment.
“It’s important to talk about informed decision-making and how this might be impacted when celebrating, especially when alcohol and other drugs may be involved,” Ms Bastian said.
“Parents hope their children will come to them with questions, but research tells us teens are often waiting for parents to make the first step,” she said.
“While the influence of peer pressure is real for teenagers, family beliefs and values form an important part of how they identify themselves.”
She said it was important to give advice, while also showing confidence that teenagers could weigh up different points of view so that they were empowered to make informed decisions about their own health.
“We need to be talking to our teens about respect, affirmative consent, contraception, sexually transmissible infections, condoms and where to go for additional help,” Ms Bastian said.
“The use of condoms is less likely during unplanned sex, which can result in unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.”
She said it was not about one big talk you have to get perfect, but lots of little conversations to show that your child can come to you for advice and support.
Further information and advice for young people can be accessed from the Healthysexual WA Department of Health – Leavers website which can be accessed at this PS News link.
