It is essential for parents to talk to their youth about sexuality.  Research shows that parent-child communication reduces the risk of teen pregnancy and infection of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.  Other benefits or parent-child communication are:

Parents, want to talk to your child but don’t know where to start?  Here are some suggested resources:
Advocates for Youth Parent Center
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/parents/index.htm

The National Campaign advises parents against having their teens date someone 3 years or more older than the teen.    Here is a link to a booklet they have produced for parents that discusses this issue:
http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/pdf/ParentPwr.pdf
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/parents/default.aspx

National PTA Healthy Lifestyles Program
http://www.pta.org/healthy_lifestyles.asp

Here is a 1999 Guttmacher article on age differences between sexual partners:  http://www.agi-ny.org/pubs/journals/3116099.html

Research also shows that students who are connected to school and family are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.  Some suggestions:

• Improve your relationship with your child
• Know your child’s friends and their families
• Know where your child is
• Encourage your child to become involved in school activities

Other resources for parents

Kentucky PTA http://www.kypta.org/
National PTA http://www.pta.org/
Annie E. Casey Foundation http://www.aecf.org/

Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs

PO Box 4028
Frankfort,  KY  40604
Toll-free phone number: (866) 375-2727
Phone number: (502) 226-2704
Fax: (502) 226-2725
E-mail address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Web site address: http://kyasap.brinkster.net/

Practical tips and advice on organizing to create change based on the experiences of youth activists from around the nation.

The Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP) and Advocates for Youth believe that young people have a right to be involved in creating the policies and porgrams that affect their health and their future.  Advocates and CHAMP also bleieve in youth's ability to change the world, beginning right in your own neighborhood.  Finally, CHAMP and Advocates believe that youth have the right to honest and complete sex education, HIV prevention education, and comprehensive, confidential reproductive and sexual health services, including condoms.

You and your peers are key players in the fight for these rights.  This Guide has been written to provided you--the high school activist and organizer--with tools to create change in your school, your community, and your world.  You know that, too often, youth are pushed aside and ignored while others who have a huge impact on young people make decisions.  You can use this Guide to ensure your voice and your peers' voices are heard!

View the Guide here.