Discussions with young people need to start early. Youth are faced with choices about risks at an early age and they need support during that period to make good choices. Many factors affecting the lives of boys and girls are different. Risk behaviours differ for boys and girls as does their reasons for taking risks. Programs need to address these differences and the issues of real concern to both boys and girls.
Parents have a strong influence on the lives of young people.
Young people are less likely to take risks if their parents know where they are when they are not at home, if parents understand them, and if they have helpful adults in their lives. Many young people would like to talk to their parents about the issues in their lives, but don't feel they can do so. Youth are influenced by their peers but the influences can be positive and negative. Young people want to build on the positive influences to help each other make healthy choices. Activities need too be suited to the interests of young people and they need to take an active role in making decisions about activities available to them in their communities.