Talking to University bound Kids About Sex

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Are your children heading off to college or university this fall?

couple holiding fingersWe’ve talked about talking to our daughters about puberty and sex on masalamommas but what is the best way to encourage open conversation when it comes to grown kids heading off to university?

Here are a few simple tips from Dr. Robin Milhausen, a sexuality researcher and professor at the University of Guelph, on how to start this seemingly difficult conversation and keep it going to ensure that your children are healthy and safe as they embark on this new chapter in their lives.

 

 

1. Have realistic expectations.

It may come as a surprise, but about 2/3rds of 18-19 year-olds in Canada have had intercourse and many young people will have sexual experiences during their college and university years.

* Hearing from a parent that taking care of their sexual and reproductive health is important can have a powerful and positive motivating effect.
2. Don’t gender your sex education.

Boys and girls, and men and women, need the same information! They all need to know how to prevent pregnancy and STIs, talk about sex with their partners and say no when they mean no, and yes when they mean yes.
3. Look for opportunities to discuss sexual and reproductive health. bigstock-The-words-Let-s-Talk-Sex-on-a--17121278

Some parents are uncomfortable talking with their kids about sex and don’t know where or how to start. One way is to refer to something you have seen on TV or read: “There’s a blog I read that was talking about sexual health issues for college students and I want to talk about that with you.”
4. Use the resources at your disposal, and share them!

There are a lot of great resources online (and some terrible ones!). So you are up to date, educate yourself at sexandu.ca (a website developed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada) and weknowsex.ca (a website developed by the makers of Trojan™ condoms and the Sex Information Education Council of Canada), which provides information on relationships, sexual health, pregnancy and STI prevention.

If your kids know you are available to listen and provide support, without judgment, they will be more likely to come to you when they need you. Know that even if they don’t take you up on the offer, they are glad you made it and will likely appreciate that you were ready and willing to help and listen.

 

*Rotermann, M. (2012). Sexual behaviour and condom use of 15 to 24-year-olds in 2003 and 2009/2010. Health Reports, 23, (1), 1-5.

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