Being a parent is difficult. Being a parent and holding the birds and bees conversation with your teen is even more challenging. Moms and dads transfer the task to each other. Even if they decide to hold the conversation, they have no idea how to get started and what types of issues to address.
Many parents feel embarrassed about discussing sexual issues with teenagers. The conversation is a must but something that a number of adults would prefer to refrain from getting involved in.
Teenagers have access to internet and numerous other sources of information. They seem to be born with all of the knowledge necessary for a happy and successful life. Besides, teenagers are so informed about sexuality that they could actually know more than parents.
A new study shows that parents play a major role when it comes to the formation of healthy sexual habits in young individuals. This study confirms the fact that though this obligation is an embarrassing one, it plays important role in the development of the teenager.
Montreal’s Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre is responsible for the study quoted by the US Department of Health and Human Services. More than 1000 mothers and 1200 teenagers aged 14 to 17 took part in the survey.
A surprising and significant 45 percent of the teenagers said that their parents acted as role models when it comes to sexuality and concerns connected to reproduction. Only 32 percent of the teenagers questioned responded that they were affected by the behavior of their friends.
This study disproves a myth that has been widely spread in society. It shows that good parenting is much more important than peer pressure. Though teens would like to be cool and socially accepted, they still accept parents as their most important role models.
Celebrities and media happen to play an even less significant role. Only 15 percent of the questioned teenagers said that they were affected by the behavior of their favorite media stars.
The study answers another important question. Teens see their parents as role models in the families that are open to discussions on sexual topics. Teens who could ask questions at home were less exposed to dangers and aware of the risks connected to unprotected intercourse and other types of unsafe sexual behavior.
A large discrepancy exists between the understandings of children and their parents. Nearly 80 percent of the moms questioned said that they believe teens look for information from peers when it comes to sexuality.
The findings once again confirm the fact that embarrassment causes many parents to underestimate their responsibility in terms of the sexual education of teens. Many moms and dads rely on the alternatives available, allowing children to learn more about sex from school, peers and the internet. This strategy happens to be exceptionally wrong, since it neglects values and the responsible behavior that could be thought solely by experienced, older individuals.
What do you think of sex education? Should parents get actively involved or is it up to schools and teachers? Who is responsible for teaching kids responsibility and safe sexual practices?