Parent Resources and Links
Parent FAQs
Don't places like the Annex, where teens can get confidential sexual healthcare just encourage kids to have sex?
FALSE
In Minnesota, teens are able to access confidential sexual health services (like pregnancy testing, birth control and STD/STI testing and treatment). This law does not apply to abortion services. Research demonstrates that without confidentiality laws, teens would not access crucial health services, like the services offered at the Annex. Without confidential access, teens are at greater risk to get pregnant or contract an STD. For more information on Minnesota's Minors' Consent Law visit: http://www.coalitionforsexed.org/handouts/minors.pdf
The Annex Teen Clinic is a safe place where teens can access quality, confidential healthcare and information from trustworthy, youth-friendly professionals. We welcome parents to learn more about our services and to access our resources if they would like help communicating with their teens about sex. We encourage teens to communicate their decisions about sex with their parents and/or other trusted adults.
Do parents support comprehensive sexual education that includes information about preventing STD/STIs, pregnancy and sexual abstinence?
TRUE
Current research in Minnesota indicates that most parents (about 9 out of 10) believe sex education should include information about sexual abstinence as well as information on preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). To access this report based on a study conducted by the Healthy Youth Development Prevention Research Center at the University Of Minnesota. http://www.med.umn.edu/img/assets/23875/PEDSAHM_Parents_sexedF1.pdf
My teen does not want to hear about sex from me. They are going to be sexually active no matter what I do or say.
FALSE
Even though your teen may not seem to be interested in what you have to say, they are listening. And, they do need to learn about your values and beliefs about sex and sexuality. They also need facts-based, developmentally appropriate information so they can grow up to be sexually healthy adults. Kids and teens are bombarded with messages about sexuality all the time. They need information from you to help them navigate through some of the goofy and confusing information they may encounter in the media, on the internet and from other people.
Resources for Parents
The good news is that fewer teens are getting pregnant today than just a few years ago and many teens are choosing to postpone sex (sexual abstinence). The bad news is that sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STD/STIs) are increasing among teens who are sexually active. Parents can help their teens reduce their risk of pregnancy and getting an STD/STI when they open the lines of communication with their children and teens. Many parents are not sure where to begin. Experts suggest that parents should discuss and answer their kids' questions about sex early and often. Here are some websites to help you communicate with your teen and to help keep them safe:
www.shouldertoshoulderminnesota.org
www.talkingwithteens.org
www.advocatesforyouth.org/parents
www.moappp.org
www.mediawise.org
www.pflag.org
www.ivff.org
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Initiative for Violence-Free Families Initiative for Violence-Free Families. |
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Parents. The Anti-Drug. A national organization supporting parents. |
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KidsHealth An informative site about many topics. |
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Shoulder to Shoulder The U of MN program that helps parents understand their teens. |
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Talk with your Kids The Kaiser Family Foundation site that offers tips & techniques for talking with kids about tough topics. |
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Advocates for Youth Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and promoting policies which help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. They provide information, training, and advocacy to youth-serving organizations, policy makers, and the media in the U.S. and internationally. |
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Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States) a national organization focused on reproductive health and choices. |