We all went through it, the “talk” with our moms and dads. We sat there, uncomfortable, roling our eyes so far back, we could almost see our brains. They said words like “intercourse” or “condoms” and we wanted to run away in embarrassment: “How do you know what that is?”, we would think to ourselves. But they know, they know every gruesome detail, and most likely, so do your teens.
Like most things in life, education is key. No parent wants to become a grandparent while his kids are still in high school. It’s important that parents sit their teens down and explain to them the importance of safe sex and the responsibility that comes with it. Otherwise, they will figure it out on their own, and find out the hard way.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2009 34% of teens had sex, and 39% of those teens had unprotected sex. Moreover, 14% of teens had more than four partners by the time they were seniors in high school, more than 8,000 people between the ages of 13-24 reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention had been infected with HIV, half of reported STDs are among 15-24 year olds, and over 400,000 babies were born from teenage girls 15-19 years old (http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/sexualbehaviors/).
The Illinois Department of Health reports that there are more than 20 diseases transmitted sexually; however, they go untreated because of a lack of getting tested and diagnosis. In such cases, many diseases, like chlamydia, have no symptoms but serious consequences. For women, not treating chlamydia can lead to future miscarriages, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and expectant mothers can infect their fetus. For men, the symptoms are rare. The infection can spread throughout the penis and can cause fever, pain, arthritis, skin lesions, and sterility. But many doctors say that this disease is on a lower level (http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/respect/hiv_fs.html).
The IDPH also reports that most high school teenagers throughout the U.S. had sex, the average age being 15. Furthermore, at first, teenagers use condoms to seem mature and responsible. But eventually stop when trust is built. Fewer than half of men and women use condoms, and some teens reported using illegal substances before engaging in sexual activity (http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/respect/hiv_fs.html).
There is no possible way to stop teens from engaging in sex or sex-related activities. But there is a way to keep them informed and hope they stay safe. The CDC’s website promotes sexual health amongst teens, and provides 11 ways to stay safe. On the list, the CDC mentions: keeping teens informed of STDs, HIV/Aids, and ways to prevent pregnancy, the different methods of contraceptives, and risky behaviors to avoid. Good parents will do anything to protect your children from harm. Be responsible and teach your teens how to protect themselves.
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