Some kids may hear legitimate, correct advice on contraception, but discount it, convinced it s part of parental conspiracy. When it comes to sex, don t lecture, don t scare, just discuss. What Parents Should Know Experts from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy warned, There are no single or simple approaches that will markedly reduce adolescent pregnancy. Douglas Kirby, P.H.D. Erasing erroneous, and potentially dangerous misconceptions about how to avoid pregnancy should be high on any parents list. Doing that, plays heavily on the issue of credibility.
Parents have to develop a relationship of trust between themselves and their children.
If, however, parents often use superlatives and scare tactics to describe every potential hazard their child may face their children may begin to discount the message. Dr. Edmund Lee, a P.H.D. and practicing obstetrician, says for that reason, when parents talk to their children about all issues, not just contraception, it s critical they have their facts right. If a child learns their parent has a pattern of over-exaggerating and playing loose with the facts on other issue, they ll be less likely to listen when parents try to warn them about sex. Dr. Lee advises also to avoid a lecture. Instead make any talk about contraception open, and give and take with your child.