Teens and Sex

New information has confirmed that the most likely place for teens to engage in sex is in the home. The real revelation was that the act of intercourse took place while one or both parents were also in the home. In that light, let me offer a few words of advice to parents who want to ensure their children’s sexual health.

1. “Public” places in the home are the only places where friends of the opposite sex may congregate (living room, family room, basement etc.). The bedroom is off limits.

2. After implementing and enforcing the first rule, make random swings through the home – no excuse needed.

3. Do not go to bed until after your children’s friends have left.

Let your children know in advance that this is what is going to happen. They may not like it and may look for other places to meet – if so, it’s your job to determine the degree of supervision they will be subject to at another location and to determine whether that is adequate. This means that you may need to call the parents in that household.

Make sure your children understand that you are motivated by how much you love them and by your desire to make sure that they are not injured either physically or emotionally by the unintended effects of sex, such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, or emotional pain and confusion.

The good news is that there are some signs that today’s teens are having less sex – so taking these steps might not be as difficult as you imagine.

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