Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical - ETR Associates

and the activities suggested prior to using them withtheir own children. Finally, the home-based programscan teach skills that parents can practice anduse in the home to teach their children.On the other hand, home-based video programshave several disadvantages. For example, familiesmay not complete the activities or may simplyview them (which is relatively easy to do), withoutcompleting the roleplaying or skill practice (whichrequires much more initiative, involvement andthinking and may feel threatening). In addition, thevideos may not prove realistic to both young peopleand parents. Youth often think the teens in videosdress or act differently than they themselves do andthat the situations are not realistic. Both the youthand their parents also may have difficulty relatingto the youth and the situations in the video becausethey feel they are contrived.Home-based video programs can be quite comprehensive.For example, a video program thatincluded six videos and written materials providedinformation, modeled parent/child communicationin dramatic scenarios and emphasized sexual valuesconsistent with abstinence (Miller, Norton et al.1993). Each of the six videos was brief (about 15 to20 minutes) so that families could discuss the topicsafter viewing each video. The written materials suggestedquestions and topics for discussion. Togetherthey covered changes in puberty, facts about reproduction,parent/teen communication, values andsexual behavior, sexuality in the media, decisionmakingskills and communication skills. Becauseof the targeted age group (10- to 14-year-olds), theprogram focused on abstinence.Can programs for only parents increase parentchildcommunication about sex?Although most multi-session programs focus onboth parents and their children, a few target onlyparents, especially parents of older youth. Typically,these programs adopt a different approach fromthat used with parents and their children together.Instead of trying to provide opportunities forcommunication during the sessions, they strive toimprove parents’ knowledge, attitudes and skills sothat they can more effectively communicate withtheir children about sexuality-related issues.These programs sometimes cover topics such as datingand sexuality and general communication skills(such as listening, taking turns talking and listeningand giving supportive responses to adolescents’comments).Two studies have measured the impact of these programson parent-child communication; both foundthat they increased communication (Table 9-6).Table9-6Number of Programs for Only ParentsHaving Effects on Parent-ChildCommunication About SexImpact on frequency ofparent-child communicationabout sex (N=2)Had aPositiveEffectNoSignificantEffectHad aNegativeEffect2 0 0What are tips for parents about how to talk aboutsexual topics?When helping parents talk about sexual topics withtheir teens, it is not sufficient to simply providethem with accurate information about sexual topics.Rather, programs need to help parents know howto discuss these topics with their teens in ways thatwill make the discussions more comfortable andmore effective. With that in mind, here are tips forparents that could be featured in a program:• Start early, when children are young, with conversationsappropriate for their age. Do not waituntil children are adolescents or until they askyou questions about sexuality. If you wait, theywill learn this is not a topic to be discussed andare less likely to ask.• Avoid the single “big talk” and instead havenumerous shorter conversations, so that sexualityis discussed like other topics.• Take advantage of “teachable moments,” such asstories on TV or events in the community.Chapter 9 Increasing Parent-Child Communication About Sex 113