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Parentpedia
STDs
Thinking about the potential consequences of your child having sex can be very scary. It's all too tempting to think that if you just ignore it, it won't happen. Unfortunately, the opposite is true.
Statistics suggest that about 25% of sexually active teenagers will get a sexually transmitted disease (STD). By talking to your child, you can help him make better decisions about sex.
How to Talk to Your Teen About STDs
Dr. Drew Pinsky, host of the popular radio show "LoveLine," suggests that all teenagers should have basic knowledge about common STDs. This should be part of any ongoing conversation between you and your teen about sex and sexuality.
This conversation should not be used solely as a scare tactic (for example, if you have sex, you'll get diseases); rather, it should be used to help kids understand the responsibilities and possible consequences of being sexually active.
Talk to your teen about ways to prevent getting an STD. While you can encourage abstinence, research suggests that providing teenagers with a comprehensive sexual education -- including information about birth control -- can reduce teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. (According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, there is not empirical support for abstinence-only programs to prevent teen pregnancy.)
It's important for your teen to have information about "safer" sex practices. You can still let him know you'd prefer that he waits to have sex, but you should also accept that he may not.
Which STDs?
Some common STDs that you should educate your child about include:
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- chlamydia
- gonorrhea
- syphilis
- herpes
- hepatitis (the various strains)
- HIV
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