Sexual & Reproductive Health

Facts

Parents' Information

Do you know that your children are already getting a lot of messages about sexuality?

Two thirds of television programs have some sexual content. Television viewing surveys have shown that eight in ten episodes of the most popular programs watched by teens, include some sexual content.
In one Canadian study (2001) that surveyed more than 11,000 youth ages 12 to 16 years, friends, siblings, and media sources were listed as the most common sources of sexual health information.
Music videos and television advertising include a variety of sexual images and references.

Take time to watch programs with your children or teens and talk about what you see.

For more tips and advice see out pamphlet Sexuality and the Media

Get the facts about teen pregnancy and STI rates using our Teen Fact Sheet .

Do you know that what you say to your children about sexuality is important to them?

Take a look at how talking about risk taking with teens can help them develop skills to grow and manage risk Teen Risk Taking - Tips for Parents

Do you know that your children say they value hearing about your beliefs?

Some parents are uncertain about how to talk about sex because they feel uncomfortable or they fear they might be encouraging their teens to become sexually active.
From the time they are born, your children receive messages about sexuality from what they see and hear around them, and from the way that you choose to communicate with them.
Studies have shown that when parents talk openly with their children and teenagers about sexuality it leads to less risky behaviour, less conformity to what they think others are doing, and helps them to view their parents as good sources of information.

Talk to your children and find out what is important to them.

Share what is important to you.

For more tips, advise and information about how to talk to children and teens about sexuality, please see the following Parent Packages:

Do you know that there are websites to help parents talk to their kids and keep them safe?

For information about the sexuality education program created for students in Grade 4 through to Grade 12 in Alberta public schools you can visit: www.teachingsexualhealth.ca. The site contains information for parents, students and teachers and links you to many other information sources. Check out the updated parent information at www.teachingsexualhealth.ca/parentstudent/pages/parents.html
For tips on how to talk to your children or teens about sex, or to learn more about the stages of sexual development in children, the Canadian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists created a website for parents you can visit at: www.sexualityandu.ca
For tips and tools on how to keep your children safe when they go online, you can visit: www.bewebaware.ca

Remember … you can choose the information that best fits you and your family values.




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Sexual Health Home About Us Services: Sexual Health Clinics Education Outreach Need Answers? Sexual Health Facts Resources Contact Us Need Answers? Question Overview Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Submit Question Posted Answers	Sexual & Reproductive Health Facts Parents' Information Do you know that your children are already getting a lot of messages about sexuality? Two thirds of television programs have some sexual content. Television viewing surveys have shown that eight in ten episodes of the most popular programs watched by teens, include some sexual content. In one Canadian study (2001) that surveyed more than 11,000 youth ages 12 to 16 years, friends, siblings, and media sources were listed as the most common sources of sexual health information. Music videos and television advertising include a variety of sexual images and references. Take time to watch programs with your children or teens and talk about what you see. For more tips and advice see out pamphlet Sexuality and the Media Get the facts about teen pregnancy and STI rates using our Teen Fact Sheet . Do you know that what you say to your children about sexuality is important to them? Take a look at how talking about risk taking with teens can help them develop skills to grow and manage risk Teen Risk Taking - Tips for Parents Do you know that your children say they value hearing about your beliefs? Some parents are uncertain about how to talk about sex because they feel uncomfortable or they fear they might be encouraging their teens to become sexually active. From the time they are born, your children receive messages about sexuality from what they see and hear around them, and from the way that you choose to communicate with them. Studies have shown that when parents talk openly with their children and teenagers about sexuality it leads to less risky behaviour, less conformity to what they think others are doing, and helps them to view their parents as good sources of information. Talk to your children and find out what is important to them. Share what is important to you. For more tips, advise and information about how to talk to children and teens about sexuality, please see the following Parent Packages: Children aged 6 or younger Children aged 7 to 12 years Teens aged 13 and over Sexuality & Developmental Disability: A Guide For Parents Do you know that there are websites to help parents talk to their kids and keep them safe? For information about the sexuality education program created for students in Grade 4 through to Grade 12 in Alberta public schools you can visit: www.teachingsexualhealth.ca. The site contains information for parents, students and teachers and links you to many other information sources. Check out the updated parent information at www.teachingsexualhealth.ca/parentstudent/pages/parents.html For tips on how to talk to your children or teens about sex, or to learn more about the stages of sexual development in children, the Canadian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists created a website for parents you can visit at: www.sexualityandu.ca For tips and tools on how to keep your children safe when they go online, you can visit: www.bewebaware.ca Remember … you can choose the information that best fits you and your family values.
	E-mail comments to Sexual & Reproductive Health Webmaster. Page last updated on: April 19, 2010

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