Anticipating Parent-Teen Sexuality Talks

Teenagers can be quite stubborn sometimes, even if they do know that you mean well. If you're having problems in opening up a sexuality talk with your teen, it may help to see where they're coming from, so you'll be able to anticipate the problem in advance and then deal with it.

The following are the four common hurdles you may encounter the next time you want a sexual discussion with your teenager; they may be difficult to overcome, but with patience and persistence, you may just convince your teenager to sit down and talk.

With adolescents, maturity is definitely the first to be considered. Although it's never too early to talk to your children about the birds and the bees, they may not be ready for it - as yet.

The usual reaction you get from boys is a suppressed snicker, and girls have a tendency to be scared or embarrassed about the whole affair. If you're teenager finds it difficult to keep a straight face on the issue, try providing him or her with a reliable resource to browse through; be ready to talk once they are willing to ask.

Teenage angst can be the most difficult hurdle to get over with, since it involves a great deal of stubbornness. If your attempts at discussion are met with a scowl or a strange look, it may be best to give your teenager the space he or she needs, at least until your son or daughter is receptive enough for a reasonable talk.

If the dissent is rooted in your personal relationship with each other, its best to entrust the sex talk to another adult, and mend the problems which get in the way of your relationship.

Your teenager may believe that he or she has enough knowledge of sex that there's no need for further information. Usually, this knowledge is gained from secondary or questionable sources. Adult videos are easily accessible especially on the internet.

Although watching adult videos at an early age can be a good thing, since your teenager is exposed to information which is part of popular culture, oftentimes it leaves the wrong impression on sexuality. Be prepared to dispel the myths, and replace it with the facts, such as the benefits of safe sex, or the emotional aspects of the act.

Your teenager may be apathetic, or would like to maintain certain issues private, including his or her sexuality. Your efforts should be focused on putting him or her at ease in this case.

Start by telling your teen that you are very much open to the discussion, and that there is no need to disclose sensitive or personal details about sexuality. Even if your teen clams up after such an effort, you've sent you message across that all you want is a healthy discussion, not an interrogation where everything is laid out in the open.

You'll have a better chance of having the discussion with your teenager in the future, since you have intimated that you are willing to talk as much.