Talking openly with adolescents and teens about sexuality has many benefits. It can help keep them physically, emotionally, and socially healthy while building stronger bonds. Parents should provide fact-based information about topics like relationships, consent, and anatomy in an age-appropriate way. Frequent short conversations in a judgment-free environment can make these talks more comfortable for both parents and children.

1. The New Birds & Bees Talking with Your Adolescent or Teen about Sexuality Melanie Davis, MEd President, Honest Exchange, LLC http://www.honestexchange.com Director of Education Services, New Jersey Center for Sexual Wellness http://www.njsexualwellness.com Author, Sexuality Talking Points: A guide toward thoughtful conversations between parents and children

3. What makes it difficult to discuss sex? Sex is hardly ever just about sex. -- Shirley MacLaine

5. Are the messages your child receives sex-negative or sex-positive?

9. Parents should talk about… Holistic sexuality model by Dennis Dailey Sexualization Flirting Media Seduction Withholding sex Sexual harassment Incest Rape Intimacy Caring Sharing Loving/liking Risk taking Vulnerability Self disclosure Trust Sensuality Skin hunger Aural/visual stimuli Sexual response cycle Body image Fantasy Sexual Identity Biological gender Gender identity Gender role Sexual orientation Sexual Health & Reproduction Sexual behavior Anatomy & physiology Sexual/reproductive systems Contraception/abortion Sexually transmitted infections Values Values