Information for Parents
- Every 11 seconds, a teen contracts a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in the U.S.
- 8 million teens each year contract an STI
- 50% of people who contract HIV are under age 25
(CDC 2000)
In the 70's, there were only two major STIs, syphilis and gonorrhea. Now, there are approximately 25 significant STIs with multiple strains
of each.
(Kaiser Family Foundation. The Tip of the Iceberg: How Big is the STD Epidemic in the U.S.?, December 2, 1998)
The eight most prevalent STI's are...
| NON-VIRAL |
VIRAL |
Chlamydia
Syphilis
Gonorrhea
Trichomoniasis
|
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis B & C
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Herpes Simplex II
|
STIs are divided into two main categories: viral and non-viral. If your son or daughter contracts a viral STI, there is no medicine they can take to cure the disease. There is only medicine available to treat the symptoms. Young people today are contracting viruses that they will have to carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Certain STIs can be contracted by skin-to-skin contact with infected body regions. HPV and Herpes are two examples of STIs that can be contracted without ever engaging in sexual intercourse. Often times, kids think that they are safe because they did not "go all the way," but they are still at risk.
Many teens feel oral sex is a safe alternative to sexual intercourse because there's no risk of pregnancy involved. However, many don't consider the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted infections through oral sex, like syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, HPV, and chlamydia. It's even possible to get HIV through oral sex. When you combine these physical risks with feelings of regret, loss of innocence, the chance of getting a bad reputation, or memories you can't forget, oral sex isn't safe.
Girls are affected most by STIs.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) occurs when disease-causing bacteria migrate upward from the urethra and cervix into the upper genital tract. Many different bacteria can cause PID, but most cases are associated with gonorrhea and genital chlamydial infections, two very common STIs.
Basically, PID causes a buildup of scar tissue in the fallopian tubes and other parts of the female reproductive organs. Infertility occurs in approximately 25 percent of women who have had PID. In addition, untreated PID can cause chronic pelvic pain and scarring in about 20 percent of patients.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 1997 Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates. National Summary and Fertility Clinic Reports. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 1999:41)
Abstinence until marriage can profoundly affect young people in today's sexually explicit culture by...
Giving them Permission to Think:
As many of you know, messages about sex in the media saturate our society. Many of these messages portray sex as being consequence free and as not a big deal. However, we know that this is not the case. Messages that promote violence, drug use and sexual activity are literally killing out kids. Why? Answer: Media messages can have a big influence on a young person's behavior. As parents you can help in this area.
An important aspect of abstinence education is media literacy. We want kids to cut through messages in the media and decide for themselves what is healthy vs. unhealthy, what is right vs. wrong. We want teens to recognize what is truth vs. fantasy.
On average, teens spend approximately 60 hours per week engaged in some form of the media including: TV, movies, magazines, Internet, music and video games. On average, parents will spend 38.5 minutes per week engaged in meaningful conversation with their children. Source: www.tvturnoff.org
With that said, it's important you:
- Know what your children are watching and listening to.
- Know what your children are doing on the Internet.
- Keep track of the kinds of magazines your child is reading.
- Engage is meaningful conversation with your children.
- Create boundaries around how much TV and what kind of TV your children can watch.
- Talk with your kids about what they're watching, listening to and looking at!
As educators, we seek to equip teens with the tools they need to stand up to a culture that says, "Just do it," and hold out for what is best and healthiest for their lives and their futures. When that same message is given in the home, the impact is ever greater!
While the media can dramatically influence many of the choices a teen makes, so can peer-pressure. With such pressure surrounding teens today, it is critical we build them up on the inside so that they can withstand the pressure that comes on the outside.
One of the greatest privileges you have as a parent is to love your child or children well. To love unconditionally, is to prepare your child to love others well. When love is in place, children are less likely to engage in relationships that are based on infatuation as well as engage in high-risk behaviors.
It's important that you understand how your child receives love. For many children, it is through loving and kind words. For others it's through your touch - a hug or pat on the back. Whatever that looks like for your child, love them well and their lives will be positively impacted.
Building self-discipline skills leads to strong self-esteem
Parents, teachers, and mentors have the privilege of raising the expected standard for teens. Instead of being led into sexual activity by the media, teens can be influenced to choose healthy behavior, avoid unintended pregnancy and the life-threatening risk of STIs.
Setting goals
The choices a teenager makes today will affect their future tomorrow. One way we can motivate a young person to make good choices today is by encouraging them to dream about their futures and to set goals they can work toward. Our hope is that you will begin to dialogue with your teen about their goals and dreams and in the process encourage them to work toward accomplishing them.
Talking with your teens
88% of teens said it would be easier to postpone sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy if they were able to have more "open, honest" talks with their parents about sex...
59% of teens said that their parents are their role models for healthy, responsible relationships.
(Source: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, "The Parent Gap: Teen Pregnancy and Parental Influence)
The essential component for teens to choose abstinence is you!
Asking questions
Who are their best friends?
What do they like to do after school?
What excites them?
What do they want to do after high school?
What are they struggling with?
Showing Love
10 Things Teens Want Their Parents to Know: (Tips from Teens)
- To love each other
- To keep talking to me
- To be my example
- To listen to me
- To have the courage to say no...and know why they said it
- To learn more about me and my friends
- Not to do everything for me
- To help me find my heroes
- To train me to make good decisions
- To train me to confide in them
Talking to other parents
Brainstorm ideas, relate to one another, encourage one another, and get ideas.
Sharing what you've learned
The process starts with you through formal programs, conversation with other parents, and obtaining solid knowledge about sexual pressures and the risks teens face everyday. Then, passing this information on to your teen is one of the most powerful tools you have in influencing their behavior.
- Forming Healthy Relationships
- Building self-esteem
- Planning for the future
- Preserving goals and dreams
- Averting life threatening STIs
- Avoiding unintended pregnancy
- Eliminating negative emotion
The benefits of abstinence until marriage will ultimately influence every aspect of a young adult's life. Your decision to start the conversation about abstinence until marriage can positively impact your teen for life. Silence leads to isolation; dialogue builds life-giving relationship.
You can beat the odds through learning more about our abstinence education programs.
|
