Education: Parents
As a parent or caregiver, you recognize that talking to youth about sexuality is challenging and crucial. Research shows that youth who receive accurate and timely information from their parents about sexuality and sexual health are more likely to delay sex, and to protect themselves from unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases when they do become sexually active. That’s why we offer information and resources to help you start “The Talk” and keep the conversation going, whether your children are in elementary school, middle school, high school, or beyond.
Individual topics
| Parent-child communication | Adolescent development | Discussing birth control methods |
| Puberty | Growing up male/female | Peer pressure |
| Sexual decision-making | Sexually transmitted infections |
Parent newsletter: “There’s No Place Like Home... for Sexuality Education”
“There’s No Place Like Home... for Sexuality Education” – This is a free, quarterly newsletter for parents and families, including information on a different sexuality education topic in each issue, plus reviews of books and other useful materials for families.
Talking About Sexuality with Your Children
Let's Talk: Tips for Discussing Sexuality with Your Children – This publication is full of ideas about how to make talking to your children about issues around sexuality easier and how to use media as a tool for talking with your children. It also includes a list of useful books and videos available from the Planned Parenthood Resource Center.
What should children know about human sexuality, and at what age?
Children need correct, comprehensive, age-appropriate information in order to make responsible, informed choices about their behavior. Click here to read Planned Parenthood’s guide to sexuality education, spanning the pre-kindergarten years to young adulthood. Our Resource Center offers many more materials on this subject, including books suitable for both younger and older children, available for loan.
We provide educational programs tailored to the needs of parent groups, which can be presented at your home, office, community center, PTA meeting, civic or faith group. For more information or to schedule a session for your group, please email west.central.educator@ppin.org or call her at (765) 446-8078, ext. 1505.
