Healthy Adolescent Sexuality…It’s Time to Talk about It!

           Did you know that a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that 72% of 8^th and 9^th grade student are “dating”?  This fact can be frightening to parents of teens at this age and lead parents to wonder if their children will be safe in their relationships.  This April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the focus has been placed on adolescents and preventing sexual violence in these relationships by addressing healthy sexuality and healthy relationships.

            Healthy sexuality is the ability to responsibly, understand and control one’s sexual behavior.  Sexuality is not merely sex, but includes values, attitudes, beliefs, feelings, behaviors, and interactions.  A discussion on healthy sexuality should focus on gender norms and inequality, as well as consent, healthy relationships, and boundaries.  Discussing healthy sexuality with your child can help prevent sexual violence.

            During adolescence, children go through a stage of growth and exploration.  At this time they begin experiencing and building relationships and setting the patterns for their future relationships as adults.  Before children even reach adolescence, they begin learning about relationships and sexuality.  They may hear messages from peers, family, and at school.  If teens don’t receive realistic and accurate messages about sexuality, they may turn to other sources such as the media, the internet, and friends to learn about sexuality on their own.  While some sources provide accurate information in regards to healthy sexuality, many popular outlets that adolescents turn to do not.  Television, movies, the internet, and even music can portray inaccurate images of healthy sexuality.  Adolescents may mold their own relationships and their own behavior off of what they see and hear.  Adolescents who rely on what they see on TV and in the movies may develop a misunderstanding of healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries.

            Learning about healthy sexuality can help adolescents identify unhealthy relationships, identify when boundaries are crossed, and understand consent.  Discussing healthy sexuality with children can also help prevent sexual violence.  When adolescents have an understanding of healthy sexuality, they are able to make informed decisions, and can learn how to respectfully treat their partners.  With an understanding of healthy sexuality, adolescents are armed with the tools to identify sexual violence and get help when it occurs.

            When children do not understand healthy relationships, boundaries, or consent they may not be able to recognize sexual violence or violence of any kind.  They may find these behaviors to be a normal part of relationships and find themselves unable to get help.  Addressing healthy sexuality with children can teach them what a healthy relationship is and what love is.  A simple discussion on healthy sexuality and healthy relationships can help children determine their values and beliefs in relationships and identify relationships and behaviors that may be violent.

            During the month of April, take some time to talk with your kids about healthy sexuality and ensure that they can recognize healthy relationships and identify sexual violence.  For more information on healthy sexuality and how to talk to children about the issue, visit www.transitionsofpa.org.

Submitted by Sara G., Education Specialist