you about it." The goal for teens is for them to not have sex until they're ready, she says. "But a lot of teens are having sex before they are ready; 100 percent abstinence doesn't happen," Dr. Tycast explains. Dr. Tycast says more girls today are initiating sex, which is why it's important to talk to both boys and girls about pressuring someone into sex. "They both need to know it's never okay to pressure someone into sex and that it's always okay to say no," she says. Talking Tips When many adults were teens, they never had a conversation with their parents about sex. "It can be uncharted territory for parents to talk to their teens about this subject," Dr. Tycast says. "Think about what conversations about sex you wish your parents would have had with you. Talking about sex with your teen may be uncomfortable, but you still need to do it." Here are some tips to open the lines of communication about sex: Before the conversation, take time to think about your own values and beliefs about sex. Find an event, such as an ad or a movie, that gives you an "in" to bring up the topic of sex. Keep your ears open to find out what behaviors your teen's friends are engaging in. Use this as an opening for a discussion about sex with your teen. You can ask questions to get started, but let the teen guide the conversation. Make conversations open and honest