Parents as Sexual Health Educators
Young people often turn to parents and caregivers for information about sexual health. Some studies show that talking openly and honestly to teenagers about sex can prevent teen pregnancy.
The knowledge base and comfort level of parents and caregivers will differ from family to family. However, many parents tend to underestimate their role as providers of sexual and reproductive health education for their own children and teenagers.
Parents and caregivers need to have access to reliable sexual health information and feel confident talking with their children about sexual and reproductive health. Positive communication between parents and their children will result in young people making healthy and responsible decisions.
It is also important for parents to engage with their children in discussions about alcohol and other drug use, healthy relationships, mental health, and other areas of concern for youth. Sexual health does not occur in isolation and education in the area must be considered as part of a holistic approach to youth wellness.
The goal of the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute is to provide accessible information for parents that would assist them in having meaningful discussions with their children about health related topics, with an emphasis on, but not limited to, sexual and reproductive health.
Resources
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2-V-240 Loan
RAISING HEALTHY KIDS: FAMILIES TALK ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH - VHS - (60 MIN.)
Media Works Inc., 1997This set of two 30-minute videos with discussion guides is designed to help families of young children, preadolescents, or adolescents communicate about sexual health. The first video is for parents of young children. It includes interviews with children, parents, and experts and features discussion about inappropriate touch and more. The second video is for parents of preadolescents and adolescents. It includes interviews with young people, parents, and experts and features discussion about values, listening, avoiding absolutes, mixed messages, relationships, and more.
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2-V-264 Loan
THE TRUTH ABOUT SEX (SCHOOL VERSION) - VHS - (30 MIN.)
Canadian Learning Company, 2001This video presents open, honest discussion with several teens about teen pregnancy, teen parenting, and sexually transmitted infections. Teen parents speak about the impact of being a parent. Teens visit a laboratory for sexually transmitted infection testing and visit a woman living with HIV. Parents speak with Dr. Drew and teens about the roles parents should take in sex and relationship education.
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2-V-329 Loan
SEX SMART FOR TEENS: SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS - VHS - (27 MIN.)
Injoy Videos, 2003Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are all too common among teens. This engaging program provides essential health information, including clear instruction on STI prevention. With a respectful tone and touches of humour, Sex Smart for Teens: STIs shows how an “it won’t happen to me” attitude can be dangerous for teens. Facilitator’s Guide included. Audience: Grade 7 - 12.
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2-V-359 Loan
THE TALK: AN INTERCOURSE ON COMING OF AGE - DVD - (50 MIN.)
Youth Performance Company, 2006This 50 minute DVD is designed to facilitate discussion about sexual health issues with youth over 12 and adults. The DVD can be used as a whole or chapter by chapter as appropriate. NOTE: Adult facilitators MUST preview the content to make sure that it is appropriate for their audience. A discussion guide is included.
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7-504 Download
ACFP SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION SURVEY - SUMMARY REPORT
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2008The Advisory Committee on Family Planning Sexual Health Education Survey investigated parental attitudes toward sexual health education in the province of Saskatchewan between October 2006 and February 2007. Survey results provide insight into Saskatchewan parents’ ideas about sexual health education, their attitudes and expectations, and their perceptions of their own knowledge and comfort with providing sexual health education to their school-aged children. The findings provide a basis for discussion regarding current school-based sexual health education approaches and whether these approaches are meeting the needs of Saskatchewan families with school-aged children.
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7-505 Download
PARENTS AS SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATORS - LITERATURE REVIEW AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2011Research indicates adolescents regard their parents as important sources of information about sexual health. The literature review and environmental scan discusses the need for sexual health education and parental-adolescent communication surrounding sexual health. Obstacles to effective sexual health discussions and how to overcome these are present along with a list of web-based resources that are available.
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7-506 Download
PARENTS AS SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATORS - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, 2011This executive summary provides highlights from the “Parents as Sexual Health Educators: Literature Review and Environmental Scan.”
(Back to Parents as Sexual Health Educators)
Links
Advocates for Youth Organization has a section called Parents Sex Ed Center that provides information and links for parents regarding reproductive health.
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=206
Kids Health provides articles and information on different aspects of parenting including talking about sexual health.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/ http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/talk_about_puberty.html?tracking=P_RelatedArticle#
Public Health Agency of Canada - "Talk to Me" - Sexuality Education for Parents
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ttm-pm/
Iwannaknow.org is a trusted source of information on sexual health for youth and young adults. The website also has information for parents to teach their children about sexual health.
http://www.iwannaknow.org/parents/overview.html
Talk Sex is a brochure created by Nova Scotia Office of Health Promotion and Protection to help parents talk to their children about sex.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/11001_talksexpamphlet_dec09_en.pdf