Here in my city, Milwaukee, the United Way has issued a new campaign called, “Let’s Talk.” It is a program designed to talk to teens about sex in order to prevent statutory rape.
In Milwaukee, teen pregnancy is a significant issue (as it likely is in many other large cities across the United States). But one unique problem is the high number of children born to teens who are fathered by adult males.
There are some pretty bold ads being placed on bus stops across the city. They depict older men inside teen girl’s bedrooms and say things like, “She should be sleeping with a stuffed animal, not a real one” or “Don’t worry, he will be done with your daughter before you know it.”
However, the good news for the city I live in is that there has been a drop in the number of teens having babies. They attribute this to sex education programs, public awareness campaigns and faith-based intervention.
But with this new advertising campaign, the goal is to reduce teen birth rates by 46%, by the year 2015. Until I saw this news story, I hadn’t given much thought to the number of teen girls who give birth to babies that are fathered by adult men.
I found a tool kit that is a helpful way for parents to talk to their children about sex, no matter what their age. It’s called “Baby Can Wait.” Although it is geared toward the city of Milwaukee, any parent can use it.
I have always been able to talk to my children about sex. But it’s not easy for everyone, so perhaps this website will help.
As parents, we don’t have a choice. We have to talk about these things. It is a shame the topics that are necessary to be covered with children, and at a younger age than we would like. But knowledge is power. We have to empower our children with the right information.
If you have been afraid to have this talk, don’t delay any longer. Your child will end up hearing the information elsewhere and it may not be accurate or healthy.
Related Articles:
Talking to Your Teen about Sex
Teens Being Charged with Child Pornography
Parents Who Allow Teens to Have Sex at Home
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