Why Talking About Sex With Your Teen Is Essential

March 17, 2023 | Amy Alamar

Talking about sex and sexuality with your teen can be awkward, difficult, and downright uncomfortable. Maybe you had talks with your parents when you were a teen, and they didn’t go well. Or maybe your parents never talked to you about sex at all, and you have no idea where to start. Maybe you’re even afraid that talking to your teen about sex will make them more likely to become sexually active. But there are many reasons why this is a topic that you should tackle, and there are a few things to consider that may make it a little easier for you and your child. 

• Talking openly about sex and sexuality will deepen your relationship with your teen. Your teen’s sexuality is part of their identity, and acknowledging that can help strengthen the relationship between the two of you. Treating sex as a part of life rather than a taboo topic can keep lines of communication open. It allows them to feel safe asking questions, and can keep you feeling more connected to them as they grow into their adult self. 

• Opening up conversations will help them identify misconceptions about sex. Let’s face it—there are lots of misconceptions in the world about sex and sexuality. Keeping communication open can help your teen understand the basics about their body. This can help keep them safe and able to take better care of themselves once they are sexually active. 

• Communicating with them now will make them more likely to communicate with sexual partners in the future. Communication is an essential part of a healthy sexual relationship. Having open talks about sex allows our children to build vocabulary, understanding, and comfort around sex and sexuality. This will help them to have their own conversations in the future. 

• Talking about sex may delay their first sexual encounter. Many parents are afraid to talk to their children about sex because they are afraid it will cause their children to have sex at an earlier age. But the opposite is actually true. Having a better understanding about sex can actually delay the age that a teen first has a sexual encounter. Knowledge is a key part in keeping your kids safe when it comes to sexual activity. 

These conversations can be uncomfortable for both of you—at least at first. But with consistency and honesty, you can build a strong bond with your teen that will keep them educated and safe as they become sexually active. For more practical tips on this and much more, check out our calendar for upcoming Live Interactive Workshops.