Your role as parent

Parents are often the first source of information and trust for young adults when it comes to sex and sexuality. They have an important role in the education of the adolescent on sexual and reproductive health and in the advices they give their children on their future. As a parent, you don’t have to be an expert, but it is important to;

• Communicate with your child in function of your own values and beliefs • Use appropriate terms when you talk about body parts

• Allow your child to ask questions

• Be honest in your conversations

• If you are embarrassed to talk about certain topics with your child, then you can ask a professional to start the conversation.

You know your child best, so you know when it is the best moment to talk about sexuality, or about what your child wants to do in life. You will feel when your child is ready to talk about certain topics. Of course, you can also seize the moment, for example when a certain topic is discussed on the radio. If you avoid certain topics, then your child might think that these topics are bad or a taboo. Therefore, be open and honest with your child when talking about sexuality. Keep in mind that sexuality education does not promote sexual intercourse, rather it promotes safe and healthy behavior.