I haven't known a parent who doesn't want to do good.

They know they want changes but they don't know where to begin; they can be stuck and its a question of how to get unstuck.

Only a small number of parents and whanau mentioned knowing about or using resources, services or parenting programmes.

.. 43% of abortions were had by students.

Lets get kids and parents talking about sex.

Sexuality and Communication

Today's generation of young adolescence are in a whirl wind world of sexualisation. Be it television, clothing or peer pressure. I propose to develop a tool that opens positive communication between parent and their adolescent children on sexuality and relationships. This tool should support both parent and child and be an engaging, interactive early intervention. These are the areas I will research further.

The theory behind this proposal is also repeated by The Education Review Office who has made a recommendation to the Ministries of Education and Health to hold workshops/meetings that teach parents about Sexuality and relationship education; What it is and isn't; and how to address issues that arise in the home i.e answering children's questions.

Dont bail out just yet campaign

NZTAs. Influence & Precedence.
T.A: Tone: Goal: Risks: Parents of teen drivers Funny/safety Awareness of teen driver risks. Maturity levels, safety, peer pressure and planning ahead

The campaign leads parents to a specially designed website that helps them to communicate and stay involved with their teens driving at this crucial stage.

Sex..
Kids want to learn how to drive, and the parents do everything they can to teach them how to drive safely.
How many parents take the same road when it comes to sex?

According to Dr Ruth those parents are few and far between.

I want to take the don't bail out just yet campaign idea of providing parents with (potentially an online) tool to guide communications. This is proven in lessoning Adolescent RiskTaking.

Why Web?
Limitations of parenting programmes: Cost and confidence required to attend class Cost of transport and childcare Generally Mother focused (what about the fathers?) A web solution it available 24/7 with no upfront costs No childcare or transportation required Private and can go at own speed Can be tailored to an individuals needs, i.e select relevant areas

Target Audience
11-13 year olds (but up to 18yrs, a.k.a adolescent, tweens, teens, young people etc)

Why
2008 Survey of 9,107 students from 96 high schools on if they've had sex 38% males 35% females

Parents of children in the above age brackets that have difficulty or don't talk about sex Low socio economic areas or schools with low decile ratings

Research shows that there are far higher levels of teenage sexual activity in regions with low socio economic conditions or in schools with low decile ratings.

Limitations Parents who avoid talking about sex and ban offspring from sex ed classes as they view it as sinful and taboo

Family Planning Resources..

So, where do kids get their info?

Movies Music videos & lyrics Internet Video games Friends Older siblings Girls magazines Councillors Youth health services

If parents aren't talking to kids they don't know what theyre learning

Why parents dont discuss.... it

STI's & pregnancies are a whole new level from scraped knees and mosquito bites They aren't use to openly talking about sex Talking about it will destroy their childs innocence Talking about it may result in him/her becoming sexually active. Struggle to set boundaries so its easier to not know

Embarrassed about not knowing answers to questions Scared of what they may hear and how they may (over) react

Effects of their own relationship or sexual history, i.e divorce, rape etc

Why parents should discuss sex:

Research shows it can raise the age that young people start sexual activity Gives a chance to communicate their own values. This helps adolescences to form their own set of values - even if they differ.
Establishing positive communication on sexual health topics means the child is more likely to seek help.(Reducing unplanned pregnancy, STIs and unhealthy relationships.) Kids need to know parents love them in spite of some of the things they may do

Adolescences often learn by taking risks and experimenting. It pays to keep track Enables the parent to encourage adolescent to talk with a professional about contraception before becoming sexually active

Good communication will help maintain a good relationship during the dreaded teenage years

What kids want..

Be available Be straight forward, tell the truth Give good advice, share stories Talk about sex Talk things through and let them ask questions Don't interfere Listen and don't judge

And dont want.

Closed mindedness Too much seriousness Being too nosey Giving lectures Telling them to move on and get over it Putting them down

FACTS

In 2002 a report found that 43% of abortions were had by students. 30% were using contraception (i.e condoms) at conception, but 90% left with some form of contraception after their abortion. BUT in a follow up visit a year later only 28% were still using it. More parental guidance and support could help to keep this on track. Over of NZ high school students have had problems accessing health care in the last year (transport, cost) Students who discussed with nurses how to use condoms 90% said the info was helpful/very helpful. Yet only 25% seeked help in this area. Evidence suggests that at traditional health services the staff are uncomfortable & feel inadequately trained in youth health issues People feel critical of what children are been taught in sex ed at school When someone is involved in dating violence they often seek help from informal sources, however, when the violence is sever the potential helpers avoid the help seekers. Research shows that students do not trust school councillors with private information 0800WHATSUP reported that relationship issues are the no.1 reason adolescence call Today's adolescence live in a world full of instant messaging, where every body knows every bodies business in an instant.

What now?
22/03 Pick up Sex Ed books from library take notes 28/03 Research existing parent/child comm. strategies 01/04 Identify what is in the NZ sex ed. curriculum 08/04 Appointment made with a vibe doctor (youth clinic) This will hopefully fire off fresh ideas 10/04 nail down some key theories that are driving project 15/04 explore potential visual and copy writing tone ... ...
Ask my mum why talking about sex is taboo in our family and why she never gave the talk etc ( ek!)