Coping With Teen Sex
March 18, 2009 by Tisha Tolar
Filed under Health Issues
Regardless of how much parents and society wish it weren’t true, it’s a fact that teens are sexually active. Coping with teen sex remains a problem for some parents. Still a taboo subject in much of 
the nation, teen sex can be a deadly secret. With the widespread occurrence of STD’s, including HPV (human papilloma virus) chlamydia, and herpes, it is apparent that not only are teens engaging in sexual activities, but they are doing so unsafely.
Teen’s Instincts
When it comes to sex and teens, parents can not always rely on their child’s common sense and instincts. Girls especially will often forgo common sense in pursuit of a guy’s attention, which is often coveted for self-confidence and social stature reasons. Teens find sexual relations to be exciting and all too often, will fail to even consider if the relations they are practicing are safe or if their partners have been tested.
The “Not My Kid” Syndrome
When it comes to teens and sex, common sense may not always be reliable and it is the parents common sense that will need to prevail. But this is no always the case. Irrationally thinking “oh, not my child” is the prime example that a parent is not practicing good common sense when it comes to their teens and sex. Regardless of whether a parent truly believes their son or daughter is not involved in sexual relations of any kind, it would be good practice to act as if it were true. By ignoring the situation or the potential situation, parents are not providing their teen with a proper perspective on a grown-up topic. Without a proper education by parents to teens on the reality of sex, teens are not equipped to deal with their feelings and urges. Instead, teens are likely to just follow the crowd and do “what everyone else is doing” with little thought to their health, the health of their partners, or the emotional consequences of their experimenting.
Sex is a Healthy Topic
Maintaining health also means maintaining sexual health. Parents of teens need to maintain open lines of communication in order to ensure health and well-being of all family members. Teens who are already sexually active pose a threat to their own health and should a relationship with an unhealthy partner lead to an STD, chances are good that the teen will not seek treatment nor reveal this information to their parents. Disregarding infections and health issues can lead to more serious, and sometimes even fatal, consequences down the road. Parents of teens who are not yet sexually active should be well prepared and have an understanding about sex in relationship to their health. Sex talks should not be taboo in households in order to remain healthy. As sex is a natural part of life, it is natural to assume that a teen will be interested in the subject. If children can not feel confident that speaking with their parents about sex will be okay, there is no guarantee where the kids will end up getting their information.
Most teens do not consider things like cervical cancer, infertility, or the possibility of infecting other people with disease. Many will only think about easing peer pressure sex presents, gaining experience, and the worry of how they will look to others by remaining a virgin. Common sense does not always play a part in their lives. With the multitude of raging hormones and societal tendencies, teens need a thorough education and a lifeline from their parents that communication is open. Until that can be established, teens will likely not rely on their own good judgment and parents should recognize their own very important role in delegating common sense measures for the health and well-being of their children.
© 2009, FIT FOR EVER. All rights reserved.
