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: execadmin@kasap.org