Parents,

Speak Up!

A Guide for Discussing Relationships and Waiting to Have Sex

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
This document was created by the

Office of Population Affairs

(a division of the Office of Public Health and Science)

in collaboration with the

Family and Youth Services Bureau

and the

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

with assistance from

The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth.

This document was updated in Spring 2007.

For more information go to:

www.4parents.gov
This document was created by the

Office of Population Affairs

(a division of the Office of Public Health and Science)

in collaboration with the

Family and Youth Services Bureau

and the

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

with assistance from

The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth.

This document was updated in Spring 2007.

For more information go to:

www.4parents.gov
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

“S” is for Support Good

Goals: If your teen son or daughter

has hope for the future, they are

more likely to make healthy choices.

Do you know if your teen has goals?

Do you know what they are? Ask

your teen about their goals for marriage, family, and a career. Ask them

about their goals for jobs now and in

the future and what their plans are to

prepare; then listen and offer support.

“E“ is for Encourage,

Educate, and Empower:

Educate and encourage your teen

to make healthy decisions. When

topics come up about sex, you

don’t need to know all the answers.

Be honest and offer to help find the

facts together.

Share your hopes and values.

Goals, values, and beliefs are

important to teens. They are some

of the most powerful reasons for the

sexual choices teens make. You can

guide your teen to develop the values of honesty, responsibility, and

caring. Share your family’s values

with your teen and encourage service

to others and the community. When

parents are clear about their own

values and clearly communicate

them to their children in an open

manner, their children are more likely to delay having sex.

2 Values about

education, marriage, and trust are

more easily “caught” than “taught.”

You and your behavior are the most

valuable “values” educators!

Many of today’s parents were

teens when they began having sex. If you made poor sexual

decisions when you were young,

you can still guide your own teen

to healthier decisions. We know

more today than we did then about

STDs and the consequences of sex

at an early age.

Studies have shown that religion

and spirituality influence goals

and values in many families. If your

family is involved with a church,

mosque, synagogue, or other faith

organization, encourage your teen to

participate. Teens who are actively

involved in religious activities are

less likely to have sex early.

3

1.Why Is ItImportant to Talk

With Your Teen About

Relationships and

Waiting to Have Sex?

Because making good choices

when it comes to relationships

and waiting to have sex can prevent

many heartaches and problems.

It is important to help your teen

deal with the risks they face in today’s

world. Some issues, like teen pregnancy, are similar to when you were

a teenager. Others, like HIV/AIDS

(Human Immunodeficiency

Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency

Syndrome), are very different and

can have lifelong consequences.

 Your child can really benefit

from hearing what your values

are. Parents and guardians are

role models for youth. You can

be a positive role model to your

child by sharing with them and

showing them what you expect

through your actions.

 Setting goals in life is an important step in growing. You can

help your child have goals

related to healthy relationships

and education. Early sex can get

in the way. You can help them

wait. It’s important to be there

for your teen, and talk with

them about the future.

 An STD is an infection that

is passed from one person to

another during sexual contact.

STDs are much more common

than you may think. About 19

million Americans get an STD

every year. And, although most

teens do not think they are at

risk, teens actually have higher

rates of STDs than adults.

4 Most

people who have one don’t even

know they have one unless they

get tested or until the infection

is advanced.

 It’s important that your teen

understands that they can get

an STD even if they don’t have

sex. They don’t have to have

intercourse to get one. They

can get some STDs by simply

touching infected areas of the

skin (HPV, syphilis, herpes).

5

And teenage girls get some

kinds of STDs like chlamydia,

gonorrhea and HIV easier than

women who are older.

6

 Teen pregnancy rates have been

going down over the past several

years, but they are still very

high. If your teen becomes a

parent, they will face many

tough challenges. For example,

they will be more likely to be

poor, even when they get older

7

and they will be less likely to

graduate from high school or

2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

“S” is for Support Good

Goals: If your teen son or daughter

has hope for the future, they are

more likely to make healthy choices.

Do you know if your teen has goals?

Do you know what they are? Ask

your teen about their goals for marriage, family, and a career. Ask them

about their goals for jobs now and in

the future and what their plans are to

prepare; then listen and offer support.

“E“ is for Encourage,

Educate, and Empower:

Educate and encourage your teen

to make healthy decisions. When

topics come up about sex, you

don’t need to know all the answers.

Be honest and offer to help find the

facts together.

Share your hopes and values.

Goals, values, and beliefs are

important to teens. They are some

of the most powerful reasons for the

sexual choices teens make. You can

guide your teen to develop the values of honesty, responsibility, and

caring. Share your family’s values

with your teen and encourage service

to others and the community. When

parents are clear about their own

values and clearly communicate

them to their children in an open

manner, their children are more likely to delay having sex.

2 Values about

education, marriage, and trust are

more easily “caught” than “taught.”

You and your behavior are the most

valuable “values” educators!

Many of today’s parents were

teens when they began having sex. If you made poor sexual

decisions when you were young,

you can still guide your own teen

to healthier decisions. We know

more today than we did then about

STDs and the consequences of sex

at an early age.

Studies have shown that religion

and spirituality influence goals

and values in many families. If your

family is involved with a church,

mosque, synagogue, or other faith

organization, encourage your teen to

participate. Teens who are actively

involved in religious activities are

less likely to have sex early.

3

1.Why Is ItImportant to Talk

With Your Teen About

Relationships and

Waiting to Have Sex?

Because making good choices

when it comes to relationships

and waiting to have sex can prevent

many heartaches and problems.

It is important to help your teen

deal with the risks they face in today’s

world. Some issues, like teen pregnancy, are similar to when you were

a teenager. Others, like HIV/AIDS

(Human Immunodeficiency

Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency

Syndrome), are very different and

can have lifelong consequences.

 Your child can really benefit

from hearing what your values

are. Parents and guardians are

role models for youth. You can

be a positive role model to your

child by sharing with them and

showing them what you expect

through your actions.

 Setting goals in life is an important step in growing. You can

help your child have goals

related to healthy relationships

and education. Early sex can get

in the way. You can help them

wait. It’s important to be there

for your teen, and talk with

them about the future.

 An STD is an infection that

is passed from one person to

another during sexual contact.

STDs are much more common

than you may think. About 19

million Americans get an STD

every year. And, although most

teens do not think they are at

risk, teens actually have higher

rates of STDs than adults.

4 Most

people who have one don’t even

know they have one unless they

get tested or until the infection

is advanced.

 It’s important that your teen

understands that they can get

an STD even if they don’t have

sex. They don’t have to have

intercourse to get one. They

can get some STDs by simply

touching infected areas of the

skin (HPV, syphilis, herpes).

5

And teenage girls get some

kinds of STDs like chlamydia,

gonorrhea and HIV easier than

women who are older.

6

 Teen pregnancy rates have been

going down over the past several

years, but they are still very

high. If your teen becomes a

parent, they will face many

tough challenges. For example,

they will be more likely to be

poor, even when they get older

7

and they will be less likely to

graduate from high school or

2 
 Maybe you made different

choices when you were young

and don’t want to seem like

a hypocrite.

While all these reasons are

understandable, you still owe

it to your teen to put them aside.

Healthy choices will better prepare

your teen to deal with sex; and

you need to help your teen make

healthy choices.

4.Tips for Talking

With Your Teen

You don’t have to know everything about teens and sex.

What you really need to know is

how to talk to your child, pre-teen

or teen about what you believe. You

should talk early and often. It is

never too late to start the conversation, and it is a conversation that

continues over many years.

Talking about sex is not just one

big talk. It is something you

need to do early, and often.

House rules are a good way to

let your teen know what you

expect. They should be clear, fair,

and consistently followed. Your

teen may complain about the rules,

but do not give in. House rules

protect and encourage. And even

though most teens may not admit

it, they like to have rules that are

enforced. Rules give structure to

their lives and help them feel loved

and secure.

Start Talking Early

Some parents put off discussing

sex, values and expectations

until their child becomes a teenager.

By that time, it can be too late.

In 2005, one out of three teens

in grade 9 reported that they had

had sex at least once. In the same

study, that number jumps to

almost two out of three teens in

grade 12.

17 So talk early and often.

Conversations about love, relationships, and sex could begin

as early as six and should continue

through the teenage years. If your

child is old enough to ask questions,

he or she is old enough to receive

simple, but correct, answers. By the

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

To make healthy choices teens

need to:

✔ Be involved in family activities

and share family responsibilities;

✔ Be involved in school and

community activities;

✔ Have goals and a plan to reach them;

✔ Know they are important to their

parent(s) and the other adults in

their lives;

✔ Feel that their parent(s), grandparent(s), teachers, and/or other adults in

their lives support their good decisions;

✔ Know the facts about sex, teen

pregnancy, teen parenthood, STDs,

drugs and alcohol;

✔ Know why and how to say “no.”

Tips for Talking:

Welcome: Be available; treat each

other with respect and trust.

Interest: Ask your teen questions about

their opinions, friends, school, or movies,

but let your teen tell their story.

Support Good Goals: Ask what

your teen’s goals are, both for the long

range and for the short term, and share

your support.

Encourage, Educate and Empower:

Give your teen the guidance, information, and skills to be successful.

“If I tell you not to do what I am doing,

I am a hypocrite. If I tell you not to do

what I have done, I am a teacher.”

—Author Unknown

HOUSE RULES:

✔ Encourage supervised group

activities. Know and support

the groups your teen participates in.

✔ Set an age for dating. Be clear

that there will be no dating

before this age.

✔ Make it clear that your teen

will not date anyone more than

two years older or younger

than they are.

✔ Make sure that your teen is

not spending a lot of time in

unsupervised situations. Sports,

tutoring, and even after-school

jobs are positive ways to

ensure that your teen is safe

and productive during the

after-school hours.

✔ Tell your teen that it is against

the rules to entertain a boyfriend

or girlfriend in personal spaces

like bedrooms.

✔ Set clear guidelines for your

teen’s outings: Where will you

be? What will you be doing?

Who will you be with? When

will you be home? How can

I reach you?

✔ No alcohol. No drugs.

No tobacco. Period.

✔ Be available to pick up your

teen if he or she calls in an

uncomfortable or threatening

environment or situation.

✔ Set rules for what your teen

son or daughter can listen to,

read, and watch. Consider

keeping the TV and computer

in a public area of the home

so you will know what your

teen is watching.

✔ Be available to talk with your

teen daily. Good communication supports good decisions.

4 
 Maybe you made different

choices when you were young

and don’t want to seem like

a hypocrite.

While all these reasons are

understandable, you still owe

it to your teen to put them aside.

Healthy choices will better prepare

your teen to deal with sex; and

you need to help your teen make

healthy choices.

4.Tips for Talking

With Your Teen

You don’t have to know everything about teens and sex.

What you really need to know is

how to talk to your child, pre-teen

or teen about what you believe. You

should talk early and often. It is

never too late to start the conversation, and it is a conversation that

continues over many years.

Talking about sex is not just one

big talk. It is something you

need to do early, and often.

House rules are a good way to

let your teen know what you

expect. They should be clear, fair,

and consistently followed. Your

teen may complain about the rules,

but do not give in. House rules

protect and encourage. And even

though most teens may not admit

it, they like to have rules that are

enforced. Rules give structure to

their lives and help them feel loved

and secure.

Start Talking Early

Some parents put off discussing

sex, values and expectations

until their child becomes a teenager.

By that time, it can be too late.

In 2005, one out of three teens

in grade 9 reported that they had

had sex at least once. In the same

study, that number jumps to

almost two out of three teens in

grade 12.

17 So talk early and often.

Conversations about love, relationships, and sex could begin

as early as six and should continue

through the teenage years. If your

child is old enough to ask questions,

he or she is old enough to receive

simple, but correct, answers. By the

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

To make healthy choices teens

need to:

✔ Be involved in family activities

and share family responsibilities;

✔ Be involved in school and

community activities;

✔ Have goals and a plan to reach them;

✔ Know they are important to their

parent(s) and the other adults in

their lives;

✔ Feel that their parent(s), grandparent(s), teachers, and/or other adults in

their lives support their good decisions;

✔ Know the facts about sex, teen

pregnancy, teen parenthood, STDs,

drugs and alcohol;

✔ Know why and how to say “no.”

Tips for Talking:

Welcome: Be available; treat each

other with respect and trust.

Interest: Ask your teen questions about

their opinions, friends, school, or movies,

but let your teen tell their story.

Support Good Goals: Ask what

your teen’s goals are, both for the long

range and for the short term, and share

your support.

Encourage, Educate and Empower:

Give your teen the guidance, information, and skills to be successful.

“If I tell you not to do what I am doing,

I am a hypocrite. If I tell you not to do

what I have done, I am a teacher.”

—Author Unknown

HOUSE RULES:

✔ Encourage supervised group

activities. Know and support

the groups your teen participates in.

✔ Set an age for dating. Be clear

that there will be no dating

before this age.

✔ Make it clear that your teen

will not date anyone more than

two years older or younger

than they are.

✔ Make sure that your teen is

not spending a lot of time in

unsupervised situations. Sports,

tutoring, and even after-school

jobs are positive ways to

ensure that your teen is safe

and productive during the

after-school hours.

✔ Tell your teen that it is against

the rules to entertain a boyfriend

or girlfriend in personal spaces

like bedrooms.

✔ Set clear guidelines for your

teen’s outings: Where will you

be? What will you be doing?

Who will you be with? When

will you be home? How can

I reach you?

✔ No alcohol. No drugs.

No tobacco. Period.

✔ Be available to pick up your

teen if he or she calls in an

uncomfortable or threatening

environment or situation.

✔ Set rules for what your teen

son or daughter can listen to,

read, and watch. Consider

keeping the TV and computer

in a public area of the home

so you will know what your

teen is watching.

✔ Be available to talk with your

teen daily. Good communication supports good decisions.

4 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

about your teen. Just encourage your

teen to talk about how they are feeling and be there to listen to them.

To start the conversation, let

them know their feelings about

relationships and sex are normal,

not embarrassing; and that as a

good parent you want to hear how

they feel. Your teen wants to talk

to a parent that wants to listen.

What’s the simplest way to learn

how your teen is feeling about sex?

Ask them! And then sit back and

listen. Really listen. Early and often.

What If Your Teen Has

Already Had Sex?

I

f you find out your son or daughter

has already had sex, it’s important

for you to take them to a health care

professional to be screened for pregnancy or STDs. Be sure to let your

teen know that you are concerned

about their health and happiness.

Talk with them about risks and

consequences—short and long

term. Tell them it is not too late

to stop having sex—that it is never

too late to make healthy choices.

Talk About STDs

Review with your teen the

facts about STDs, and tell

them about the dangers of STDs.

Remember to say that sexual contact is any close contact with the

genital area, including oral, anal,

and vaginal sex. Any of these

activities can transmit an STD.

Teen girls get infected with STDs

more easily than adult women.

That seems strange since teens are

usually in better health than adults.

One reason they can be more easily

infected is that they are still maturing and the lining in their reproductive tract is less developed. Infections

can enter and grow more easily.

21

Talk About Condoms

Condoms are a type of contraception that some people may use to

reduce the chances of getting pregnant or getting an STD. You and

your teen need to know that, while

condoms are the only type of contraception that can help protect against

STDs, they only reduce the risk but

do not eliminate it. They are better

at protecting against some diseases

than others. For example, studies show

that when used all the time and used

the right way, condoms can reduce

the risk of getting HIV infection.

22

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

They never talk about STDs on that

television show, even though they

have lots of stuff about sex. Have

you heard about anybody at your

school who has gotten an STD?

Be a better listener:

SAMSHA (the Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration

at HHS) suggests ways for a parent to

be a better listener:

Be interested and attentive. Forget

about the telephone, the television, and

whatever else you were doing—just listen!

Don’t interrupt. Sometimes, as parents,

we want to jump into the conversation

with an opinion or a solution before

letting our child finish talking.

Give your child active feedback

while she is speaking—nodding, giving

verbal responses such as “I see,” etc.

Name the feeling. You can help your

child clarify his feelings through your

active feedback by restating his thoughts

or asking questions.

Watch for nonverbal messages. Posture,

eye contact, energy level—these can all

be clues to your child’s true feelings.

Ask open-ended questions. Avoid

asking questions that can be answered

with a yes or no.

Don’t talk down to your child no

matter what his age. You probably

know more than he does from experience

alone, but don’t use this knowledge to

discount his opinions.

Follow-up. Try to remember and ask

about issues or events your child talked

about a day or two earlier.

20

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

That song has a good beat, but the

words make it seem like having

sex makes you a man (or woman).

Do you think that’s true?

What do teens think about

teen sex?

✔ More than half of all teens say that

teens should not have sex.

✔ Nearly three out of four teens do not

think it would be embarrassing to

say they are a virgin.

✔ Two-thirds of teens who have had

sex wish they had waited.

✔ Nine out of 10 teens think it is important for society to send a strong message

that teens should not have sex until

they are at least out of high school.

19

6 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

about your teen. Just encourage your

teen to talk about how they are feeling and be there to listen to them.

To start the conversation, let

them know their feelings about

relationships and sex are normal,

not embarrassing; and that as a

good parent you want to hear how

they feel. Your teen wants to talk

to a parent that wants to listen.

What’s the simplest way to learn

how your teen is feeling about sex?

Ask them! And then sit back and

listen. Really listen. Early and often.

What If Your Teen Has

Already Had Sex?

I

f you find out your son or daughter

has already had sex, it’s important

for you to take them to a health care

professional to be screened for pregnancy or STDs. Be sure to let your

teen know that you are concerned

about their health and happiness.

Talk with them about risks and

consequences—short and long

term. Tell them it is not too late

to stop having sex—that it is never

too late to make healthy choices.

Talk About STDs

Review with your teen the

facts about STDs, and tell

them about the dangers of STDs.

Remember to say that sexual contact is any close contact with the

genital area, including oral, anal,

and vaginal sex. Any of these

activities can transmit an STD.

Teen girls get infected with STDs

more easily than adult women.

That seems strange since teens are

usually in better health than adults.

One reason they can be more easily

infected is that they are still maturing and the lining in their reproductive tract is less developed. Infections

can enter and grow more easily.

21

Talk About Condoms

Condoms are a type of contraception that some people may use to

reduce the chances of getting pregnant or getting an STD. You and

your teen need to know that, while

condoms are the only type of contraception that can help protect against

STDs, they only reduce the risk but

do not eliminate it. They are better

at protecting against some diseases

than others. For example, studies show

that when used all the time and used

the right way, condoms can reduce

the risk of getting HIV infection.

22

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

They never talk about STDs on that

television show, even though they

have lots of stuff about sex. Have

you heard about anybody at your

school who has gotten an STD?

Be a better listener:

SAMSHA (the Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration

at HHS) suggests ways for a parent to

be a better listener:

Be interested and attentive. Forget

about the telephone, the television, and

whatever else you were doing—just listen!

Don’t interrupt. Sometimes, as parents,

we want to jump into the conversation

with an opinion or a solution before

letting our child finish talking.

Give your child active feedback

while she is speaking—nodding, giving

verbal responses such as “I see,” etc.

Name the feeling. You can help your

child clarify his feelings through your

active feedback by restating his thoughts

or asking questions.

Watch for nonverbal messages. Posture,

eye contact, energy level—these can all

be clues to your child’s true feelings.

Ask open-ended questions. Avoid

asking questions that can be answered

with a yes or no.

Don’t talk down to your child no

matter what his age. You probably

know more than he does from experience

alone, but don’t use this knowledge to

discount his opinions.

Follow-up. Try to remember and ask

about issues or events your child talked

about a day or two earlier.

20

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

That song has a good beat, but the

words make it seem like having

sex makes you a man (or woman).

Do you think that’s true?

What do teens think about

teen sex?

✔ More than half of all teens say that

teens should not have sex.

✔ Nearly three out of four teens do not

think it would be embarrassing to

say they are a virgin.

✔ Two-thirds of teens who have had

sex wish they had waited.

✔ Nine out of 10 teens think it is important for society to send a strong message

that teens should not have sex until

they are at least out of high school.

19

6 
8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

Talk About Money

Talk to your teen about the

financial responsibilities of

being a parent. Young women are

not the only ones responsible when

a baby is born. Young men need to

know that they will be responsible

for 18 years of child support for any

child they father. Even teen fathers

are held responsible for the baby.

The same is true even if the teen

father doesn’t want to be involved

with the baby or the baby’s mother.

It also doesn’t matter if they move

to another state or if they join the

military. A judge can order their

child support payments to be taken

out of their paychecks.

Talk About Healthy

Relationships

When teenagers worry about

sex, they are often really worrying about relationships. When

you talk about sex, also talk about

relationships. Help your teen build

healthy relationships with their

friends—boys and girls.

 Teach your teen that healthy

relationships are based on

respect, caring, trust, and desire

to help each other grow. Explain

how early sexual activity can get

in the way of their growth as a

teen and young man or woman.

 Teach them to show affection

without having sex.

 Encourage your teen to choose

friends who have the same

values as your family.

 Help your teen know that

violence is never a part of a

healthy relationship.

Healthy relationships do not just

happen. They require effort.

Healthy relationships, whether

between friends, romantic partners,

or family members, promote positive, healthy behaviors. They are

built on trust and are founded on

common goals and interests. They

encourage and enable both people

to grow and progress.

Teens also need to know that marriage has health benefits. Men and

women in healthy marriages are:

31

 More likely to be both emotionally and physically healthier.

 Less likely to abuse drugs/alcohol

or to attempt suicide.

Talk About Preparing

for the Future

There are two questions that

every teen asks themselves:

Who am I? What do I want to do?

As a parent you can help your teen

answer these questions. You can

help your teen build their own

values. Talk about your values and

why they are important. You can

also help your teen identify their

own goals. Do they want to go to

college or trade school after high

school, or get a job? Is there something they love to do—you can

help them learn how that could

lead to a job in the future.

Help your teen understand that

the choices they make today can

make a difference for their future.

For example, getting pregnant or

getting a girl pregnant could change

their lives. On the other hand, getting good grades today means they

will have lots of choices after high

school, and that can mean a better

job when they grow up.

Other Issues to Discuss

Sex is not the only topic you should

talk to your teen about. Risky

behaviors often go together. Teens

who smoke are more likely to drink

alcohol and use drugs. Teens who

drink alcohol and use drugs are more

likely to be sexually active. Teens who

drink are seven times more likely than

teens who don’t drink to have had

sex. And teens who use drugs are five

times more likely to have had sex.

32

So when you’re talking about sex,

also talk about other health risks like

alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and violence.

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

Did you know that a portion of a

man’s paychecks can be withheld

for the next 18 years if he gets a

girl pregnant and does not pay

child support?

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

You’ve told me you want to wait to

have a family some day. Tell me

what you would look for in a wife

(or husband). How will you know

she (he) can be trusted to share

the future with you?

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

I was at the store yesterday and

ran into Richard, Mrs. Jackson’s

son. He joined AmeriCorps right

after high school. What do you

think you want to do when you

graduate from high school?
8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

Talk About Money

Talk to your teen about the

financial responsibilities of

being a parent. Young women are

not the only ones responsible when

a baby is born. Young men need to

know that they will be responsible

for 18 years of child support for any

child they father. Even teen fathers

are held responsible for the baby.

The same is true even if the teen

father doesn’t want to be involved

with the baby or the baby’s mother.

It also doesn’t matter if they move

to another state or if they join the

military. A judge can order their

child support payments to be taken

out of their paychecks.

Talk About Healthy

Relationships

When teenagers worry about

sex, they are often really worrying about relationships. When

you talk about sex, also talk about

relationships. Help your teen build

healthy relationships with their

friends—boys and girls.

 Teach your teen that healthy

relationships are based on

respect, caring, trust, and desire

to help each other grow. Explain

how early sexual activity can get

in the way of their growth as a

teen and young man or woman.

 Teach them to show affection

without having sex.

 Encourage your teen to choose

friends who have the same

values as your family.

 Help your teen know that

violence is never a part of a

healthy relationship.

Healthy relationships do not just

happen. They require effort.

Healthy relationships, whether

between friends, romantic partners,

or family members, promote positive, healthy behaviors. They are

built on trust and are founded on

common goals and interests. They

encourage and enable both people

to grow and progress.

Teens also need to know that marriage has health benefits. Men and

women in healthy marriages are:

31

 More likely to be both emotionally and physically healthier.

 Less likely to abuse drugs/alcohol

or to attempt suicide.

Talk About Preparing

for the Future

There are two questions that

every teen asks themselves:

Who am I? What do I want to do?

As a parent you can help your teen

answer these questions. You can

help your teen build their own

values. Talk about your values and

why they are important. You can

also help your teen identify their

own goals. Do they want to go to

college or trade school after high

school, or get a job? Is there something they love to do—you can

help them learn how that could

lead to a job in the future.

Help your teen understand that

the choices they make today can

make a difference for their future.

For example, getting pregnant or

getting a girl pregnant could change

their lives. On the other hand, getting good grades today means they

will have lots of choices after high

school, and that can mean a better

job when they grow up.

Other Issues to Discuss

Sex is not the only topic you should

talk to your teen about. Risky

behaviors often go together. Teens

who smoke are more likely to drink

alcohol and use drugs. Teens who

drink alcohol and use drugs are more

likely to be sexually active. Teens who

drink are seven times more likely than

teens who don’t drink to have had

sex. And teens who use drugs are five

times more likely to have had sex.

32

So when you’re talking about sex,

also talk about other health risks like

alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and violence.

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

Did you know that a portion of a

man’s paychecks can be withheld

for the next 18 years if he gets a

girl pregnant and does not pay

child support?

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

You’ve told me you want to wait to

have a family some day. Tell me

what you would look for in a wife

(or husband). How will you know

she (he) can be trusted to share

the future with you?

CONVERSATION

STARTER:

I was at the store yesterday and

ran into Richard, Mrs. Jackson’s

son. He joined AmeriCorps right

after high school. What do you

think you want to do when you

graduate from high school?
10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

What Are the Facts About

Sexually Transmitted

Diseases (STDs)?

STDs are much more common

than most people realize. Because

so many are undiagnosed, experts

can only estimate that there are millions of new STD infections among

Americans each year in the U.S.

At least 25 diseases are shared

through sexual contact, and

many of these diseases may begin

with mild or no symptoms. The

rates of some STDs are highest

among teens. Unless tested, many

people do not know they are infected

until the infection may have caused

permanent, lifelong damage. They

may have also unknowingly given

the infection to their sexual partners.

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are

two common bacterial STDs.

According to the CDC (Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention), the

highest reported rates of chlamydia

and gonorrhea are among 15-19

year old female teens.

38

Chlamydia and gonorrhea symptoms can be so mild that they

are often unnoticed. But if there are

symptoms, they can include abnormal discharge from the vagina or

penis and pain or burning sensation

when urinating. Females can also

have lower abdominal pain.

Antibiotics can cure chlamydia

and gonorrhea. But if they

are not treated soon enough, either

one of these infections can cause

scarring of some parts of the reproductive tract which can make it

difficult or impossible for a woman

to get pregnant naturally. Or they

can cause an ectopic pregnancy

where pregnancy occurs outside

the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can

be very dangerous. Chlamydia and

gonorrhea can also cause scarring

in men’s reproductive tracts and

make it impossible for them to

get a woman pregnant naturally.

I

t is important that you talk to

your teen about these STDs

because they can cause long term

problems. Encourage your teen to

make healthy choices; give them the

information they need to guide their

choices; and provide them with the

support they need to stick to them.

Human Papillomavirus

(HPV)

I

nfection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD in the U.S. Over 50% of

people who have sex will get HPV

at some point in their lives. Many

people get HPV during their

teenage years.

There are many kinds of HPV.

Most kinds don’t have any

symptoms. Some can cause genital

warts. Most HPV infections don’t

cause any problems at all and go

away in a year or two without any

treatment. However, some kinds

that don’t go away—persistent

infections—are the main risk

factors for cervical cancer.

The genital warts that are caused

by the HPV virus can be treated, but there is no medical cure for

the virus (HPV) itself. It is unclear

how well condoms protect against

HPV, but areas of the skin not covered by a condom can be exposed

and infected by HPV. Because HPV

can lead to cancer of the cervix,

regular pap testing and careful

medical follow-up and treatment

are important to help ensure that

abnormal changes in the cervix

caused by HPV do not develop into

cervical cancer. Therefore, Pap tests

are an important part of female

STD Data

✔ There are at least 25 different STDs.

✔ STDs are the most common infectious

diseases in the US.

✔ 19 million Americans get a new

STD infection every year.

34

✔ About 9.1 million teens and young

adults (aged 15-24) got an STD

in 2000.

35

✔ Most teens do not think they are at

risk of an STD.

36

STD Facts

✔ You can not look at someone and tell

if they are infected.

✔ STDs can be transmitted through

oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

✔ Some STDs can be transmitted

by skin-to-skin contact

(HPV, syphilis, herpes).

✔ Some STDs can be transmitted from

a pregnant mother to her baby.

✔ Many STDs do not have any symptoms,

but can cause serious, lifelong problems.

✔ Testing is the only sure way to find

out if someone is infected.

✔ Viral STDs cannot be cured

by medicines.

✔ Bacterial STDs can be cured by

antibiotics, but medicine cannot reverse

any damage that has already occurred.

✔ Having some STDs makes it easier

to get or spread HIV.

✔ Latex condoms used the right way all

the time can reduce but not eliminate

the risk of getting STDs.

✔ Latex condoms are better at protecting

against some STDS than others.

✔ Because some STDs (HPV, syphilis,

herpes) can be in areas not covered by

the condom, it is still possible to get

infected even when using a condom.
10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

What Are the Facts About

Sexually Transmitted

Diseases (STDs)?

STDs are much more common

than most people realize. Because

so many are undiagnosed, experts

can only estimate that there are millions of new STD infections among

Americans each year in the U.S.

At least 25 diseases are shared

through sexual contact, and

many of these diseases may begin

with mild or no symptoms. The

rates of some STDs are highest

among teens. Unless tested, many

people do not know they are infected

until the infection may have caused

permanent, lifelong damage. They

may have also unknowingly given

the infection to their sexual partners.

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are

two common bacterial STDs.

According to the CDC (Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention), the

highest reported rates of chlamydia

and gonorrhea are among 15-19

year old female teens.

38

Chlamydia and gonorrhea symptoms can be so mild that they

are often unnoticed. But if there are

symptoms, they can include abnormal discharge from the vagina or

penis and pain or burning sensation

when urinating. Females can also

have lower abdominal pain.

Antibiotics can cure chlamydia

and gonorrhea. But if they

are not treated soon enough, either

one of these infections can cause

scarring of some parts of the reproductive tract which can make it

difficult or impossible for a woman

to get pregnant naturally. Or they

can cause an ectopic pregnancy

where pregnancy occurs outside

the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can

be very dangerous. Chlamydia and

gonorrhea can also cause scarring

in men’s reproductive tracts and

make it impossible for them to

get a woman pregnant naturally.

I

t is important that you talk to

your teen about these STDs

because they can cause long term

problems. Encourage your teen to

make healthy choices; give them the

information they need to guide their

choices; and provide them with the

support they need to stick to them.

Human Papillomavirus

(HPV)

I

nfection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD in the U.S. Over 50% of

people who have sex will get HPV

at some point in their lives. Many

people get HPV during their

teenage years.

There are many kinds of HPV.

Most kinds don’t have any

symptoms. Some can cause genital

warts. Most HPV infections don’t

cause any problems at all and go

away in a year or two without any

treatment. However, some kinds

that don’t go away—persistent

infections—are the main risk

factors for cervical cancer.

The genital warts that are caused

by the HPV virus can be treated, but there is no medical cure for

the virus (HPV) itself. It is unclear

how well condoms protect against

HPV, but areas of the skin not covered by a condom can be exposed

and infected by HPV. Because HPV

can lead to cancer of the cervix,

regular pap testing and careful

medical follow-up and treatment

are important to help ensure that

abnormal changes in the cervix

caused by HPV do not develop into

cervical cancer. Therefore, Pap tests

are an important part of female

STD Data

✔ There are at least 25 different STDs.

✔ STDs are the most common infectious

diseases in the US.

✔ 19 million Americans get a new

STD infection every year.

34

✔ About 9.1 million teens and young

adults (aged 15-24) got an STD

in 2000.

35

✔ Most teens do not think they are at

risk of an STD.

36

STD Facts

✔ You can not look at someone and tell

if they are infected.

✔ STDs can be transmitted through

oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

✔ Some STDs can be transmitted

by skin-to-skin contact

(HPV, syphilis, herpes).

✔ Some STDs can be transmitted from

a pregnant mother to her baby.

✔ Many STDs do not have any symptoms,

but can cause serious, lifelong problems.

✔ Testing is the only sure way to find

out if someone is infected.

✔ Viral STDs cannot be cured

by medicines.

✔ Bacterial STDs can be cured by

antibiotics, but medicine cannot reverse

any damage that has already occurred.

✔ Having some STDs makes it easier

to get or spread HIV.

✔ Latex condoms used the right way all

the time can reduce but not eliminate

the risk of getting STDs.

✔ Latex condoms are better at protecting

against some STDS than others.

✔ Because some STDs (HPV, syphilis,

herpes) can be in areas not covered by

the condom, it is still possible to get

infected even when using a condom.
12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

References 1

Fulkerson, J., Story, M., Mellin, A., Leffert, N.,

Neumar-Sztainer, D., and French, S., Family

Dinner Meal Frequency and Adolescent

Development: Relationships with Developmental

Assets and High Risk Behaviors, Journal of

Adolescent Health, 2006, 39(3), 337-345.

2

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy, Washington, DC, Science Says:

Parental Influence and Teen Pregnancy,

February 2004.

3

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy. Washington, DC, Science Says:

The Association between Parent, Family, and Peer

Religiosity and Teenagers’ Sexual Experience

and Contraceptive Use, November 2005.

4

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tracking the Hidden Epidemics: Trends in

STDs in the United States 2000, p. 2.

Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/

Stats_Trends/Trends2000.pdf.

5

Office on Women’s Health, National Women’s

Health Information Center, 2005 Daybook:

Generations—Women’s Health Across the

Lifespan—Protect Your Reproductive System.

Available at: http://www.4woman.gov/pub/

daybook.2005/10_ReproductiveHealth.pdf.

6

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Healthy People 2010: Sexually Transmitted

Diseases. Available at http://www.hhs.gov/

pharmacy/phpharm/hpstd.html.

7

Maynard, R., ed. Kids Having Kids:

A Robin Hood Foundation Special Report on

the Costs of Adolescent Childbearing. New

York: The Robin Hood Foundation, 1996.

8

McElroy, S.W.; Hotz, J.; and Sanders, S.G.

“The Impact of Teenage Childbearing on the

Mothers and the Consequences of Those

Impacts for Government.” In Kids Having Kids:

Economic Costs and Social Consequences of Teen

Pregnancy, edited by R. Maynard. Washington,

DC: The Urban Institute Press, 1997.

9

Moore, K.A.; Morrison, D.R.; and Greene,

A.D. “Effects on Children Born to Adolescent

Mothers.” In Kids Having Kids: Economic Costs

and Social Consequences of Teen Pregnancy, edited

by R. Maynard. Washington, DC: The Urban

Institute Press, 1997.

10

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Trends in Reportable Sexually Transmitted

Diseases in the United States, 2005. December

2006. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/

stats/05pdf/trends-2005.pdf.

11

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy, (two works): With One Voice:

America’s Adults and Teens Sound Off About

Teen Pregnancy: An Annual Survey. December

2004. This is My Reality: The Price of Sex.

January 2004.

12

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy, Science Says: American Opinion

on Teen Pregnancy and Related Issues 2003,

February 2004.

13

Ibid.

14

TResnick, M.D.; Bearman, R.S.; Blum, R.W.;

Bauman, K.E.; Harris, K.M.; Jones, J.; Tabor,

J.; Beuhring, T.; Sieving, R.E.; Shew, M.;

Ireland, M.; Bearinger, L.H.; and Udry, J.R.

“Protecting Adolescents From Harm. Findings

From the National Longitudinal Study on

Adolescent Health.” Journal of the American

Medical Association, 1997, 278:823-832.

15

Ibid.

16

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy. With One Voice: America’s Adults

and Teens Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy:

An Annual Survey. December 2004.

17

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance: United States,

2005, Surveillance Summaries, MMWR 2006;

55(No. SS-5). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/

mmwr/PDF/SS/SS5505.pdf.

18

Trends in HIV-Related Risk Behaviors

Among High School Students—United States,

1991—2005, MMWR Weekly, August 11,

2006. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/

preview/mmwrhtml/mm5531a4.htm.

19

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy. With One Voice: America’s Adults

and Teens Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy:

An Annual Survey. December 2004.

20

Adapted from: Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),

A Family Guide To Keeping Youth Mentally

Healthy & Drug Free: Talk with Your

Child-Be a Better Listener. Available at:

http://www.family.samhsa.gov/talk/listener.aspx.

21

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Healthy People 2010: Sexually Transmitted

Diseases. Available at http://www.hhs.gov/

pharmacy/phpharm/hpstd.html.

22

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HIV/AIDS > Questions and Answers: How

Effective Are Latex Condoms in Preventing HIV?

(website, last reviewed: October 20, 2006).

Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/

resources/qa/condom.htm.

23

Office on Women’s Health, National

Women’s Health Information Center, 2005

Daybook: Generations-Women’s Health Across

the Lifespan—Protect Your Reproductive

System. Available at: http://www.4woman.gov/

pub/daybook.2005/10_ReproductiveHealth.pdf.

24

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy. National Teen Pregnancy and Birth

Data: General Facts and Stats—analysis of

Teen Pregnancy Data. (2006).

25

Hotz, V. Joseph, McElroy, S., and S. Sanders.

“The Impacts of Teenage Childbearing on the

Mothers and the Consequences of Those Impacts

for Government.” Kids Having Kids: Economic

Costs and Social Consequences of Teen Pregnancy.

Ed. Rebecca A. Maynard. Washington, DC:

The Urban Institute Press, 1997. 55-94.

26

SBrien, Michael J., and Robert J. Willis.

“Costs and Consequences for the Fathers.”

Kids Having Kids: Economic Costs and Social

Consequences of Teen Pregnancy. Ed. Rebecca

A. Maynard. Washington, DC: The Urban

Institute Press, 1997. 95-143.

27

National Center for Health Statistics (CDC),

Fact Sheet—Teens Delaying Sexual Activity:

Using Contraception More Effectively,

December 2004. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/

nchs/pressroom/04news/teens.htm

28

Federal Interagency Forum on Child and

Family Statistics, America’s Children: Key

National Indicators of Well-Being 2005,

Available at: http://www.childstats.gov/

amchildren05/hea9.asp

29

Ibid.

30

Albert, Bill, Sarah Brown and Christine M.

Flanigan, eds. “14 and Younger: The Sexual

Behavior of Young Adolescents.” Washington,

DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy, 2003.

31

Administration for Children and Families, The

Healthy Marriage Initiative: Benefits of Healthy

Marriages. Available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/

healthymarriage/benefits/index.html.

32

The National Center on Substance Abuse

and Addiction. Dangerous Liaisons: Substance

Abuse and Sex. Columbia University:

December 1999.

33

N.I.C.E. is adapted from the “Achieve Success

Program” by the group Aim for Success.

34

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tracking the Hidden Epidemics: Trends in

STDs in the United States 2000, p. 2.

Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/

Stats_Trends/Trends2000.pdf.

35

Weinstock, H., Berman, S, & Cates, W., Jr.

(2004). Sexually transmitted diseases among

American youth: Incidence and prevalence

estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and

Reproductive Health. New York: 36, (1), 5-6.

36

Office of National AIDS Policy, Youth and

HIV/AIDS, 1995. Available at:

http://clinton4.nara.gov/ONAP/youth/youth4.

html.

37

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment

Guidelines, 2006. MMWR 2006; 55

(No. RR-11); 8-9.

38

Trends in HIV-Related Risk Behaviors

Among High School Students—United States,

1991—2005, MMWR Weekly, August 11,

2006, p. 8. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/

mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5531a4.htm.

39

Koutsky LA. Epidemiology of Genital

Human Papillomavirus Infection. Am J Med.

1997: 102 (5A):3-8.

40

CDC, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, Vol. 17;

2006.

41

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

HIV/AIDS: HIV Testing (Online; last

checked February 16, 2007). Available at

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/index.htm. 
12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PARENTS, SPEAK UP!: A GUIDE FOR DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS AND WAITING TO HAVE SEX

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

References 1

Fulkerson, J., Story, M., Mellin, A., Leffert, N.,

Neumar-Sztainer, D., and French, S., Family

Dinner Meal Frequency and Adolescent

Development: Relationships with Developmental

Assets and High Risk Behaviors, Journal of

Adolescent Health, 2006, 39(3), 337-345.

2

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy, Washington, DC, Science Says:

Parental Influence and Teen Pregnancy,

February 2004.

3

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy. Washington, DC, Science Says:

The Association between Parent, Family, and Peer

Religiosity and Teenagers’ Sexual Experience

and Contraceptive Use, November 2005.

4

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tracking the Hidden Epidemics: Trends in

STDs in the United States 2000, p. 2.

Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/

Stats_Trends/Trends2000.pdf.

5

Office on Women’s Health, National Women’s

Health Information Center, 2005 Daybook:

Generations—Women’s Health Across the

Lifespan—Protect Your Reproductive System.

Available at: http://www.4woman.gov/pub/

daybook.2005/10_ReproductiveHealth.pdf.

6

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Healthy People 2010: Sexually Transmitted

Diseases. Available at http://www.hhs.gov/

pharmacy/phpharm/hpstd.html.

7

Maynard, R., ed. Kids Having Kids:

A Robin Hood Foundation Special Report on

the Costs of Adolescent Childbearing. New

York: The Robin Hood Foundation, 1996.

8

McElroy, S.W.; Hotz, J.; and Sanders, S.G.

“The Impact of Teenage Childbearing on the

Mothers and the Consequences of Those

Impacts for Government.” In Kids Having Kids:

Economic Costs and Social Consequences of Teen

Pregnancy, edited by R. Maynard. Washington,

DC: The Urban Institute Press, 1997.

9

Moore, K.A.; Morrison, D.R.; and Greene,

A.D. “Effects on Children Born to Adolescent

Mothers.” In Kids Having Kids: Economic Costs

and Social Consequences of Teen Pregnancy, edited

by R. Maynard. Washington, DC: The Urban

Institute Press, 1997.

10

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Trends in Reportable Sexually Transmitted

Diseases in the United States, 2005. December

2006. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/

stats/05pdf/trends-2005.pdf.

11

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy, (two works): With One Voice:

America’s Adults and Teens Sound Off About

Teen Pregnancy: An Annual Survey. December

2004. This is My Reality: The Price of Sex.

January 2004.

12

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy, Science Says: American Opinion

on Teen Pregnancy and Related Issues 2003,

February 2004.

13

Ibid.

14

TResnick, M.D.; Bearman, R.S.; Blum, R.W.;

Bauman, K.E.; Harris, K.M.; Jones, J.; Tabor,

J.; Beuhring, T.; Sieving, R.E.; Shew, M.;

Ireland, M.; Bearinger, L.H.; and Udry, J.R.

“Protecting Adolescents From Harm. Findings

From the National Longitudinal Study on

Adolescent Health.” Journal of the American

Medical Association, 1997, 278:823-832.

15

Ibid.

16

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy. With One Voice: America’s Adults

and Teens Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy:

An Annual Survey. December 2004.

17

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance: United States,

2005, Surveillance Summaries, MMWR 2006;

55(No. SS-5). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/

mmwr/PDF/SS/SS5505.pdf.

18

Trends in HIV-Related Risk Behaviors

Among High School Students—United States,

1991—2005, MMWR Weekly, August 11,

2006. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/

preview/mmwrhtml/mm5531a4.htm.

19

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy. With One Voice: America’s Adults

and Teens Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy:

An Annual Survey. December 2004.

20

Adapted from: Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),

A Family Guide To Keeping Youth Mentally

Healthy & Drug Free: Talk with Your

Child-Be a Better Listener. Available at:

http://www.family.samhsa.gov/talk/listener.aspx.

21

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Healthy People 2010: Sexually Transmitted

Diseases. Available at http://www.hhs.gov/

pharmacy/phpharm/hpstd.html.

22

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HIV/AIDS > Questions and Answers: How

Effective Are Latex Condoms in Preventing HIV?

(website, last reviewed: October 20, 2006).

Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/

resources/qa/condom.htm.

23

Office on Women’s Health, National

Women’s Health Information Center, 2005

Daybook: Generations-Women’s Health Across

the Lifespan—Protect Your Reproductive

System. Available at: http://www.4woman.gov/

pub/daybook.2005/10_ReproductiveHealth.pdf.

24

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy. National Teen Pregnancy and Birth

Data: General Facts and Stats—analysis of

Teen Pregnancy Data. (2006).

25

Hotz, V. Joseph, McElroy, S., and S. Sanders.

“The Impacts of Teenage Childbearing on the

Mothers and the Consequences of Those Impacts

for Government.” Kids Having Kids: Economic

Costs and Social Consequences of Teen Pregnancy.

Ed. Rebecca A. Maynard. Washington, DC:

The Urban Institute Press, 1997. 55-94.

26

SBrien, Michael J., and Robert J. Willis.

“Costs and Consequences for the Fathers.”

Kids Having Kids: Economic Costs and Social

Consequences of Teen Pregnancy. Ed. Rebecca

A. Maynard. Washington, DC: The Urban

Institute Press, 1997. 95-143.

27

National Center for Health Statistics (CDC),

Fact Sheet—Teens Delaying Sexual Activity:

Using Contraception More Effectively,

December 2004. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/

nchs/pressroom/04news/teens.htm

28

Federal Interagency Forum on Child and

Family Statistics, America’s Children: Key

National Indicators of Well-Being 2005,

Available at: http://www.childstats.gov/

amchildren05/hea9.asp

29

Ibid.

30

Albert, Bill, Sarah Brown and Christine M.

Flanigan, eds. “14 and Younger: The Sexual

Behavior of Young Adolescents.” Washington,

DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen

Pregnancy, 2003.

31

Administration for Children and Families, The

Healthy Marriage Initiative: Benefits of Healthy

Marriages. Available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/

healthymarriage/benefits/index.html.

32

The National Center on Substance Abuse

and Addiction. Dangerous Liaisons: Substance

Abuse and Sex. Columbia University:

December 1999.

33

N.I.C.E. is adapted from the “Achieve Success

Program” by the group Aim for Success.

34

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tracking the Hidden Epidemics: Trends in

STDs in the United States 2000, p. 2.

Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/

Stats_Trends/Trends2000.pdf.

35

Weinstock, H., Berman, S, & Cates, W., Jr.

(2004). Sexually transmitted diseases among

American youth: Incidence and prevalence

estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and

Reproductive Health. New York: 36, (1), 5-6.

36

Office of National AIDS Policy, Youth and

HIV/AIDS, 1995. Available at:

http://clinton4.nara.gov/ONAP/youth/youth4.

html.

37

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment

Guidelines, 2006. MMWR 2006; 55

(No. RR-11); 8-9.

38

Trends in HIV-Related Risk Behaviors

Among High School Students—United States,

1991—2005, MMWR Weekly, August 11,

2006, p. 8. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/

mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5531a4.htm.

39

Koutsky LA. Epidemiology of Genital

Human Papillomavirus Infection. Am J Med.

1997: 102 (5A):3-8.

40

CDC, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, Vol. 17;

2006.

41

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

HIV/AIDS: HIV Testing (Online; last

checked February 16, 2007). Available at

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/index.htm. 
www.4parents.gov