The Centers for Disease Control's HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report for 2004 showed that 13% of all people reporting a new HIV infection that year was between the ages of 13 and 24 years old. HIV is closer to our kids then we think. Having that "sex talk" with your adolescent is more important than ever but speaking with your kids about HIV is a must.
Sources
CDC HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2004. Vol. 16. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC: 2005:1-46.
Rodenberg PS, Biggar RJ, Goedert JJ. Declining age at HIV infection in the United States (letter). New England Journal of Medicine. 1994;330:789-790.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: As Long As It Takes
Here's How:
- Before starting any conversation, know what information you want to give your child and how you want to present it.
- Review the facts about HIV & AIDS prior to talking with your child. It is essential that you give them accurate and current HIV information.
- To get the ball rolling, find a common starting point that both you and your child are comfortable with. Examples of this include:
- research for a school project
- topics of television programs or commercials
- current events from magazines or newspapers
- Be honest with your child. If you are uncomfortable with the subject matter chances are they are too. Share your feelings with them. The feelings of you both can become a common link that will make the discussion easier.
- Be positive and not punitive. If the child senses your discussion is a lecture or a reprimand, they are most likely to tune out.
- Listen to what they have to say and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings.
- While it might be hard not to judge, try and understand your child's point of view. Even if you don't agree or share the same opinion, allowing them to express theirs without judgement is essential to getting your message across.
- Acknowledge the difficulties of peer pressure. Urge your child to use their own judgement when making difficult decisions regarding sex.
- Provide them with educational material or web sites where they can learn in private. They may be more comfortable with this type of learning which will improve their retention and understanding of the subject matter.
Tips:
- Structure your discussion in a way that is age appropriate for your child.
- Be prepared to hear things you may not want to hear from your child such as their thoughts about sex and past sexual encounters.
- Make certain to structure your discussion in a positive, non-threatening and non-judgemental way.
- Set aside a place and time where just you and your child can have this private discussion.
