How to Know if Your Teen is Ready to Talk About Sex

Sex. The subject no parent really ever wants to talk about with their teens. But we need to if we want to be good parents and want to raise our teens to grow into responsible and respectable adults. Learn how to know when your teen is READY to talk about sex. Ask yourself these 10 questions.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Is your child old enough to learn about sex? Is he/she 11 years of age or older? This is approximately the age in which boys and girls might be interested in learning about sex.

2. Does your teen know about the difference between boys and girls? In other words, does he/she know that boys and girls have different physical makeups?

3. Does your teen know how his/her body works and what is physically involved in sex?

4. 
    

   Has your teen asked questions about sex? Has he/she shown any curiosity?

5. Have you seen or heard your teen involved in conversations about sex? Typically teens will talk about sex with their friends before parents even realize they are ready.

6. 
    

   Is your teen starting to date or have an interest in the opposite sex?

7. Is your teen showing interest in the opposite sex? Is he/she beginning to hang out in co-ed groups?

8. Is your teen maturing physically? Budding breasts on girls and the start of their menses, are good signs for teen girls. Underarm hair and moustaches are good signs for boys.

9. Have you ever had serious conversations with your teen before where he/she handles the conversation well? In other words, did your teen act embarrassed while discussing things, or did they handle it maturely?

10. Do you think your teen is having sex or is involved in any type of sexual activity?

Tips & Warnings

• If you can answer, "yes" to more than 5 of these questions, then yes, your teen is ready to talk about sex. Take a deep breath and relax. It is important for you as the parent to be the one your teen can trust for information on sex and other serious issues. You don't want your teen to get his/her information from other sources like his/her peers. This could cause problems and could mean they are being misinformed.
• For further information, read my articles titled, "How to Talk to Your Teen Girl About Sex," and "How to Talk to Your Teen Boy About Sex."

Resources

• Teen Sexuality
• Talking About Sex

[slphilbrick]

on 1/13/2009 Important info. They're going to learn somewhere, might as well be given the right info !

[alishacra]

on 1/13/2009 Great information - thanks!

[tikrit01]

on 1/13/2009 Important! 5 stars!