Parents Talk

Program Rationale
Trends in sexuality change over the years, and parents can often be left at a loss for understanding the needs of their teens. In a day where being able to discuss issues of sexuality and safety are crucial, it is important for parents to feel confident talking to their children.

What You Can Expect
This program will explore the new trends in sexuality, and give parents accurate information on some of the risks involved with sexuality. It will also explore parental attitudes about sex to better understand the attitudes of their children. This seminar will teach parents how to talk to teens about sex, and give them more confidence to engage in discussion on this difficult subject.

Here is a list and brief description of the topics that can be covered:

Session 1
*	Characteristics of adolescence How is adolescence defined? What are the biological, psychological and sexual changes in adolescence?
*	How has sex changed over the years Although the act of sex has stayed pretty much the same since the beginning of time, the conditions, age of first intercourse, social expectations and diseases have changed the way we know sexuality today.
*	Trends in adolescent sexuality Adolescents have been dealing with pregnancies, abortions, and diseases for a long time. This looks at statistics of where we are today.
*	Understanding adolescent language To understand adolescents, you need to understand how they use language. This looks at how teens use language to define and understand their own sexuality
*	Why teens have sex A common question is often why teens have sex so young? This attempts to understand the early ages of intercourse.
*	Predictors of Adolescent sexual activity & first intercourse Understanding the predictors of early sexual activity can help parents to delay their adolescent's first intercourse experience
*	Gender Differences Boys and girls are socialized in their sexuality differently. There still exists different social expectations based on gender. This looks at those differences to better understand a teen as male or female.

Session 2
*	STI Update Sexually Transmitted Infections have grown to pandemic proportions. Many of the infections can be prevented. Having accurate information to share with adolescents is crucial for their health.
*	How to communicate with your kids about sex & safer sex practices Parents should feel comfortable in approaching their teens with how to practice safer sex. This will inform parents on safer sex techniques and how to talk to teens about it.
*	Parent Attitude Inventory To understand the attitudes of our children, we need to better understand our own values and attitudes. This will look at the messages we have received about sexuality and ask parents to reflect on the messages they have passed on to their children.
*	Sex education in the schools This looks at what the schools are doing to teach teens about sexuality. It also gives parents the opportunity to ask a sex educator questions on how they approach certain subjects.
*	Abstinence only education versus comprehensive sexuality education This looks at the different programs and the research behind them. It is an informed discussion on what parents believe their children should be taught.

For further information, or to book an appearance, please contact info@sexpressions.ca