It’s natural for parents to feel uncomfortable when talking to their teens about sex, and that’s doubly true when it comes to talking about sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. However, this is one awkward conversation you’ll want to struggle through for the well-being of your child—research has shown that when parents talk to teens about sex, they’re more likely to delay being sexually active and use protection when they do begin.
With almost 50% of sexually active teenagers contracting an STI before the age of 25, it’s important to reach your teen with this message before their future health is jeopardized. If you’re unsure how to kick off the conversation or are worried about saying the wrong thing just remember you aren’t alone. These tips for talking to your teen about STIs were designed with parents like you in mind, so use them, be brave, and give your child the information he or she needs to make smart decisions about sex.
Tips for the STI Talk
- Don’t Overload with Information
There’s no reason that “the talk” has to be one singular conversation. There is lots of important information that teens need to know about STIs, and giving all the information at once can be overwhelming. Shorter talks can be just more productive because they give the teen time to really process the information. Plus, the more you talk about sex and STIs, the less awkward honest conversation on the subject will become.
- Do Your Research
Unless you’re working in the medical field, chances are that you could use a refresher course on STIs as well. Giving your teen wrong information about the risks associated with sex could prove to be far more dangerous than not talking to them about it at all, so make sure you know your stuff before you start giving advice. If they’ve got questions that you don’t know the answer to, be upfront and honest about that, Use this as an opportunity to research the topic together.
- Don’t Use Scare Tactics
There’s no doubt that STIs are a terrifying subject, but approaching them with the intent of scaring your teen into abstinence is probably going to backfire. When parents take a fear-based approach, teens are much less likely to feel comfortable talking through these issues. Be realistic about the risks, but avoid making things scarier than they should be just to emphasize a point.
- Create Two-Way Conversation
Conversations about STIs shouldn’t be a one-sided ordeal—it’s important that you give teens an opportunity share their opinions and voice their concerns too. Ask questions while you’re talking and make every attempt to engage them like an adult. When teens feel like they are being listened to and respected, they’re much more willing to have an honest and open discussion.
- Don’t Delay
If you wait to talk about STIs until your teen brings up the subject, then the conversation will never get started! Swallow your fears and begin these discussions early in their teenage years. Granted, a 13-year-old might not be ready for a full-blown talk about the risks of sexually transmitted infections, but that doesn’t mean you can’t begin to lay the groundwork for conversations like that in the future.
