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Young people who can talk openly about sex with their parents tend to delay having sex and are more likely to use contraception when they do. Talking to children about sexTalking about sex to your child doesn’t mean you are encouraging them to have sex. The best way to start talking about sex is to: start when your child is young, as waiting before your child reaches puberty can make it awkward make talking about sex a part of everyday life, not just a one-off talk and keep the conversation going as they get older use everyday media to start conversations - soaps, adverts, TV programmes, magazines - then you can talk about other people which is sometimes easier to start with use books, leaflets and websites (including those listed below) if you need information or ideas for how to start talking recognise that as your child grows, they need privacy and may not always want to talk to you talk to other parents about how they answer difficult questions and discuss difficult issues
Talking about sex and pregnancy with teenagersYou may talk to your teenager about waiting to have sex, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the effects of having a child while they are still at school. There are many ways you can help: find out what education they are getting in school about sex and relationships provide them with information and advice on the subjects not covered at school offer to go with your teenager to the doctor or sexual health clinic to discuss any issues about contraception make sure they know about STIs, and know how to stay safe support your teenager as they deal with the emotions of a first intimate relationship talk about the importance of considering the feelings of others in relationships, and not just the biology try to accept that your teenager will probably not have the same values as you when it comes to sex, and that such differences are an inevitable part of them growing up
Advice for young people on contraception and sexually transmitted infections Pregnancy advice for young people Website for teenagers about sexual health and teenage pregnancy If your child is pregnantIf your child tells you that they are pregnant or that their girlfriend is pregnant, the most important thing to do is stay calm, talk and support the teenage mother in whatever decisions she makes. The first step is for the teenager to see her doctor or young people's service. They will confirm the pregnancy and tell her about services in the area for pregnant teenagers. Hospitals and health visitors often have services for teenage mothers beyond the routine antenatal care that will be offered. Some services, such as Brook, also have counsellors who will be able to explore how she feels about her pregnancy and give impartial information on her options. Brook website SchoolThere is no reason why your daughter cannot remain in school up until the birth and then return to school afterwards. A maximum of 18 weeks absence is allowed in the period immediately before and after the birth. However, your daughter may not want to attend her school once she finds out that she is pregnant. If this is the case, there are alternative options like attending a specialist unit for teenage mothers (if there is one in your area), home tuition or studying in a further education college. The education department of your local council will be able to help. If your child is under 20, they could also get help with childcare costs through the Care to Learn scheme to help them stay on in learning after they have given birth. More about the Care to Learn scheme Advice on educating your child at home Your rights, and your child's rightsAlthough health professionals will always encourage sexually active young people to talk to their parents about their situation, young people have the same rights as adults when it comes to confidentiality. So a doctor or other health professional is under no obligation to tell parents when a young person seeks contraceptive and/or sexual health advice and treatment. Health professionals may decide to refer a case to social services if there is a large age difference between the two people involved, or if there is evidence of abuse. When dealing with cases involving younger teenagers, it will often be decided that there is a risk of harm and social services will be called. Rights of the fatherAccording to current law, a mother always has parental responsibility for her child. A father, however, has this responsibility only if he is married to the mother or has acquired legal responsibility for his child.There are several different ways for a father to get legal responsibility for their child, such as registering or re-registering the birth, or applying through the courts. Find out more about parental responsibilities and how to apply Information and advice on registering a birth Information and support for parentsFor further information and confidential advice call Parentline Plus free on 0808 800 2222. There's also a free textphone service on 0800 783 6783 for people with speech or hearing impairments. The Family Planning Association (fpa) can also provide information and advice. Helpline: 0845 310 1334. Parentline Plus website Find out what your child will learn at school about sex and relationships Family Planning Association website Advice and support from family charity Home Start More useful linksNHS information website about sexually transmitted infections. Allows you to search for your local sexual health / GUM (Genito Urinary Medicine) clinic Teenage pregnancy unit's website British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS)
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