PARENTS

Is the glass half full or half empty? About six out of ten teens (67% of girls and 62% of guys) find it easy to talk to their parents about relationships. Still, about one in four teens (27% of guys and 24% of girls) say it's difficult to talk to their parents about relationship issues.

TALKING TO PARENTS

Teens have lots of reasons why they don't talk with their parents about love, sex, and relationships, including fear of their parent's reaction, worry that their parents will think they are having sex, embarrassment, not knowing how to bring the subject up, and the belief that parents won't understand. Parents want to talk to their children about these topics but freely admit they often don't know what to say or when to start the conversation.

WHEN SHOULD THE CONVERSATION START?

The majority of teens (51% of guys and 53% of girls) believe that parents should start talking with their kids about sex, love, and relationships when their kids are 13 or 14. But almost one-third (27% of guys and 30% of girls) say the conversation should start even earlier -- at age 12 or younger. In fact, almost one in seven teens have sex before age 15, so having a strong history of communicating about appropriate relationships, love, and sex is important. And, in fact, most teens say it would be easier for them to delay sex and avoid pregnancy if they were able to have more open, honest conversations about these topics with their parents.

WHAT ARE TEENS SAYING?

"To me a serious relationship doesn't have to involve sex. It is just deeply caring about the person you are with no matter what they want. Being in love has a huge part in that because if you love someone you wouldn't push them into anything they didn't want to do."
- Web Survey Response

FACTS AND TIPS

  • FAST FACT : We know from previous surveys that there is a conversation disconnect between parents and teens. Teens say that parents are having helpful conversations with them about sex and related issues but there is disagreement about just how often. For example -- 89% of adults said that they've had a helpful conversation about sex, love, and relationships with their teens but only 71% of teens agree, according to a previous survey.
  • QUICK TIP: Help your parents out -- be patient when they broach tough topics such as dating and relationships, and especially sex. It can be awkward for them too!
  • A TIP FOR YOUR PARENTS : Remember to talk to your kids honestly about love, sex, and relationships. Just because they seem young doesn't mean that they can't fall in love or wonder about sex.
  • A TIP FOR YOUR PARENTS : Recognize that your teens hate the "talk" as much as you do. Instead of just sitting them down for one awkward talk about sex, love, and relationships -- try starting early and keeping the conversation going as they get older. Help teens be comfortable coming to you with questions on all topics, not just the easy ones. Let them ask questions without judging them based on what they ask you. And make sure you listen to the answers.