When do you plan on having “the talk†with your kids? I’m conflicted on this topic because I feel like sex is not something that needs to be brought up before our children are ready but I also don’t want my girls learning about sex from the kids at school. I’d prefer it come up organically and my girls feel comfortable enough to ask me anything.
Aside from the mechanics of it all and how our bodies’ function and the changes puberty brings about, I really feel that birth control needs to be discussed in depth. Obviously, it is my hope that they don’t have to use that information until they are off to college but the state of the world says otherwise. I’d prefer abstinence but I’ll settle for well-informed decisions by responsible teens, if that’s my only choice.
Here are a few facts that I think all teens need to know about birth control, condoms in particular.
- When used correctly, condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies 98% of the time.
- User error is the main reason for condom failure. A simple error like putting the condom on after intercourse has already begun can cause the condom to be ineffective. The condom needs to stay on the entire time of the sexual act for it to do its job.
- Never use expired condoms or condoms that have not been kept in a cool, dry place. Using compromised condoms can cause condoms to rip and tear and allow the users to be exposed to STDs or run the risk of getting pregnant. I know you all remember the scene in Grease where Kenicki’s condom turns to dust.
- Only one in three sex acts include the use of a condom. That means that there are a lot of people having sex without condoms and a lot of people with STD’s swapping bodily fluids. Please don’t be one of them.
- If you are sexually active, always have condoms in your purse because you can not depend on someone else to be responsible for your health and sexual safety.
When the time comes, how will you prepare your teen to be responsible?
Photo Source: Gustavo Minas
