Sex education is offered in many schools, but don't count on classroom instruction alone. Sex education needs to happen at home, too. Here's help talking to your teen about sex. Sex education basics may be covered in health class, but your teen might not hear — or understand — everything he or she needs to know to make tough choices about sex. That's where you come in. Awkward as it may be, sex education is a parent's responsibility.

So we want that experience to be safe. We want this experience to be loving, and we want this experience to teach them something about how to have a healthy relationship. Now, obviously, we're not going to be there every step of the way, but we can prepare them by, first of all, talking very candidly and openly about birth control, talking about protection and how to avoid STDs. For teenagers, it is very important to talk to them about the emotional piece of relationships. The fact that men and women have sex in different ways and for different reasons, and that girls fall in love through sex because their body excretes oxytocin, the female bonding hormone. And when I say sex, I even mean kissing and holding hands. That physical contact gets girls' juices flowing, and they start to believe they're in love.

Want to make your conversations about sexuality more productive? Then we suggest you take the following tips to heart:. It's never too late to start. Although it may be easier to talk with younger children, research has shown that teenagers do listen to their parents when it comes to sexuality.

The teenage years are a time when many young people start to discover their sexuality. Sexuality includes feelings and attraction on all different levels - not just who you have sex with. While this is a common part of teenage life, it can also be a confusing time for young people and their families. Find out more about the concepts of sexuality that your child might be dealing with, how to support them during this time, and how to recognise any signs that they may need your support.