New studies show that when parents tell kids about sex, they leave out information about sexually transmitted disease. My parents have talked about the baby part, says 14 year old Joe, but they don't talk about the std's. Up to fifteen percent of kids examined in hospital emergency rooms tested positive for dormant sexually transmitted diseases, says Dr. Carden Johnston, an emergency room physician. It's important that kids are well informed about std's and we recommend that sexually active adolescents get tested for sexually transmitted diseases twice a year. For the parents of pre-teens, the key factor is making sure kids have talked to Mom or Dad before they have to deal with a sexual situation or hear about it from peers.
Experts say questions about health class are good conversation starters.
From there the conversation can move to more serious aspects of sexuality. Experts advise parents to tell kids that abstinence is the best protection against a sexually transmitted disease. If a child is sexually active, protection is absolutely necessary because undetected sexually transmitted diseases can cause infertility and other problems. My parents have talked about the baby part, but they don't talk about the std's. One in two teens have been in a situation when they could have had sexual intercourse with someone they liked but decided not to at the time.