So one day your teenager comes to you and says “I think I’d like to go on The Pill. Will you help me?” For most parents, the air would pretty much disappear from the room. The Pill? My baby? My baby is planning to have SEX??But she’s too young! Eek! Once you get your composure (more […]
Can’t I Wait a Couple Years to Tell My Kid About Sex?
Let’s face it: Talking with your kids about sexuality can be awkward. So it’s natural to want to put it off a bit, because, you know, they’re still young, and maybe they’re not mature enough to understand, and I want to keep them innocent, and the school will cover it soon enough, and my parents […]
TalkStarter: Valentine’s Day Topics for Couples
Some couples are good to go when it comes to Valentine’s Day. You know a way to celebrate that’s fun for both of you, you’re happy with your relationship and your sex life, and it’s comfortable to talk about things. But other couples…might need a little boost. If you’d like a little help getting the […]
How a Woman Is Like an Iron
What do women have in common with irons? They take a while to warm up. Men, in contrast, tend to be more like a light switch—quickly turned all the way on. Maybe you already know that. But I keep running into young people who don’t. I talk to young women who think there’s something wrong […]
TalkStarters: 22 Things Your Teen Is Wondering About Sex and Relationships
Teenagers can be tough to read. You know their heads are full of thoughts and questions about sex and relationships, but exactly what’s going on in there…who knows? Obviously every kid is different. But the young adults who responded to my survey give some clues about common questions and concerns. When I asked what they […]
What Is “Good Sex,” Anyway?
We sometimes talk about “good sex”—wanting it for ourselves and for those we love. But what exactly do we mean by that? Experts consider sex “good” when four things are true: It’s consensual: Both parties agree to whatever activities happen. It’s safe: There is no transmission of an STI, no unwanted pregnancy, no physical or […]
Pre-College Checklist: Buy XL Twin Sheets, Pack Shampoo, Talk About Sex
If your kid is heading off to college soon, there’s so much to do: clothes to sort and pack, dorm equipment and bedding to buy, technology to figure out, maybe travel plans to make. Plus you and your kid are dealing with complicated emotions: excitement about a new life stage, anxiety about academics and social […]
How Many Sex Partners Have Young Adults Really Had?
If you watch much media these days, you’d think that most teens and young adults are constantly having casual sex. Hook-ups and experimentation are routine; it’s normal to have lots of sexual partners. Except—what if that’s not true in the real world? How many sex partners do young people really have? My survey of 900 […]
Sex and Shame: What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Feel Ashamed About
Shame is one of those awful words. No one likes feeling ashamed, ever. Some people’s early learning about sex involves so much shame and judgment that they want to reject the whole guilt idea altogether. One worldview sees many things related to sexuality as shameful, and another says there’s nothing to be ashamed of, ever. […]
How to Guarantee Your Kid Won’t Talk to You About Sex
Talking about sex is awkward, and many parents would prefer to avoid it if they could. Well, there are several techniques you can use that virtually guarantee your kid will get his or her information about sex and relationships from other sources, letting you off the hook. If you really want to convey “this topic […]