Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical - ETR Associates

• Help make the conversation a dialogue and not amonologue; encourage children to express theirviews and ask questions.• If need be, become informed about the levels ofsexual activity among your children’s friends andpeers.• Think about your beliefs and values and sharethem clearly and honestly.• Recognize that conversations about sex maysometimes be uncomfortable, but that it is importantto have them anyway.• Always remember that talking about sex does notencourage young people to have sex, but may helpthem make more responsible sexual decisions.How has parent-child communication beenmeasured?Table9-7Communication questionsHave you ever talked with your parents about the followinglist of topics? (No; Yes, a little; Yes, a lot)If yes, how many times?If yes, how comfortable were you? (Very comfortable; Kind ofcomfortable; Not at all comfortable)List of topicsBody changesMenstruation and wet dreamsReproductionExamples of Items That Have Been Usedto Measure Parent-Child CommunicationAbout SexualityTable 9-7 lists illustrative questions that have beenused to measure parent-child communication aboutsexuality.ConclusionsIn sum, these studies indicate that reaching parentsthrough homework assignments may prove the mostpromising method of reaching large numbers ofparents and actually having an impact on parentchildcommunication. These homework assignmentsand programs for parents and their teens togetherhave the strongest evidence that they increaseparent-child communication about sex. Theseresults undoubtedly reflect the fact that homeworkassignments and activities in parent-child programsdirectly involve parents and teens talking togetherabout sex. That is, if activities are completed, theywill necessarily increase parent-child communication.However, the longer-term impact on this communicationis less clear. A few of these programs,either with homework assignments to talk with parentsor with the direct involvement of parents andtheir teens, actually delayed the initiation of sexualactivity or increased condom use.Numerous studies indicate that other family characteristics(e.g., parental support/connectednessand parental monitoring) are related to adolescentsexual behavior. To the extent that programs toincrease parent-child communication about sex alsocan increase parental support, connectedness andpossibly even appropriate monitoring, they also mayreduce teen sexual risk behavior.Going out; going together at different agesReproductionPregnancySexually transmitted diseaseValues about sexual behaviorAlternatives to sexYoung people having sex (under what conditions, if at all)Using condoms or other types of contraceptionHealthy and unhealthy relationshipsDating violence114 Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical Guide for Developing and Adapting Curriculum-Based Programs