Parental Education and teen understanding

Parental Education and Teen Understanding
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Abstract
Most parents want to offer the assistance and information their kids need to become accountable and satisfied grownups. Mother and father, however, are sometimes scared of referring to sex with their children. It may be because they feel unpleasant referring to reproduction areas of one’s human body and features. For many parents, the subject of sex never came up when they were growing up. Sometimes they wonder if referring to sex and related topics would motivate their kids to research. The truth is adolescents, whose parents talk about all factors of sex with them, usually wait before becoming sexually active in comparison to those parents who do not talk about this subject. Such parents are not sure what their kids need to know and at what age they need to know it. With early maturity and exposure to sex life, teens are today using birth preventive measures more frequently. Some are doing it with no idea of the effects and long-term outcomes of these actions. They are ashamed to share their sex life and opinions with their parents, who too speak little on the topic. Many parents have wished they had shared the information with their teens early enough to prevent adverse outcomes that they may not have control. Other parents are unaware of the emotional strains and the advice needed by their teens on parental control.

Introduction
Parental sex education and birth control measures is a requirement in the society today.

It will be quite unfair to sit and watch the teens stray, without knowledge of proper birth control and sex education.
Thesis Statement. Parents should get educated on the alternatives of birth control and sexual activity, Due to emotional parental concerns, knowledge of possible side effects, and conflict and values.
Each state has enacted laws on the use of birth control by the teens. As a parent, one should be fully aware and understand these rules so we can pass them to the teens and offer guidance regarding the right and the wrong. Simplification of the intimidating medical terminologies is necessary for the parents to read and understand, together with the side effects of these treatments. Abstinence is the best birth control alternative, but not much effective with the teens of today, the parent need to be aware of the best alternative and educate their teens on the same. Some of most effective measures that can have chances for abstinence include advising the teens to go in groups and not with single partners, let them stay occupied in work and visits, encourage them to have a chaperone or go on group dates. As you mingle with the teens, ask them inciting questions and allow them to ask you questions. On doing this, you will create a free environment for sharing what the teens may not be free to share with you.
Parents need to learn and understand the various birth control measures. Some are valid for days, months, and even years. An individual lifestyle and budget dictate the type of birth control they take. Widely known alternative birth controls include,
Use of Intra Uterine Devices (IUD), and effective up to a period of five years according to the receiver specification. IUDs are 99% effective immediately after insertion.
The next type is the use of hormonal methods. They work by altering the hormonal balance thus preventing ovulation or implantation. The effectiveness of these methods varies from 92-99%.
Barrier methods include the use of condoms, both male and female, cervical cap, diaphragm, and application of vaginal spermicides. They prevent the egg from fertilization by the sperm and can be applied in multiples with their effectiveness varying from 71% to 99%.
Natural methods including withdrawal (73% effective), abstinence (100% effective), lactational amenorrhea (98-99% effective for the first six months after birth), and fertility awareness methods (75% effective). (the US Department of health Services, 1999)
Birth control that use hormones include the intrauterine hormonal system, pills, oral, patch,
NuvaRing, Depo-Provera, and Progestin-only Mini Pill.by mimicking natural hormones in a woman’s body, the hormonal methods prevent pregnancy. The above birth controls prevent unwanted implantation of an embryo. Use of condoms as birth control can best for teens since they also prevent STI infection.
Emotional stage (puberty) in teens is the time when they experience changes in their physical growth and changes in their transition to adulthood. Proper parental guidance is necessary for them to understand and cope with the changes. The teens should know that you as a parent experienced the same, and you are aware of what they are experiencing. Let them know what you were one time ashamed of sharing and give them a simpler way to communicate. The American Medical Association (2001) have several facts useful tips for parents. From their report, teens who share about sex with their parents often postponed sex or use birth control when they have sex. Accurate information is vital in aiding decision making in teens and giving it in time will reduce their vulnerability to sex, unwanted pregnancies, and STIs. Life incidences, TV, movies, and articles are good for kicking in the topic with your teen.
Hormonal birth controls have side effects ranging from slight to much irritating. Getting to know the one that fits you most requires you to give a try to a variety. Parents should understand and guide their teens educating them on the probable side effects of the methods they choose. Most of the side effects of birth controls occur within the first three months of experience with the pill. They include intermenstrual spotting, breast tenderness, weight gain, headache, mild Nausea, decreased libido, mood change and missed periods (Kellhammer & Uberla, 2012).
Sex and contraception question topics more often than not lead to teen parent conflict. For proper communication, parents should learn to express their view and opinions to their teens that will guide them in decision making but not force them to take their opinions. Proper parenting and communication avoid conflicts in these values.
Conclusion
Parents should always remember that educating ourselves so that we can educate our teenager(s) is the important things that we can do as parents. The knowledge that we can pass on to our children is just as important as a way to raise them. Sex and birth control are hard topics to discuss with you teenager; unfortunately nowadays these are topics that we must have. Educating teens by parents is for them to know that you are there with them no matter what. They need to know we are with them on emotional concerns, and to show them that we are knowledgeable about birth control and sex education.
References
American Medical Association. (2001). Teens Sex & Contraception. Retrieved from:
www.texaschildrens.org/…/Teens%20and%20S.
US Department of Human Services: Office of Public Health and Service-office of
Population Affairs. (1999) Teen Talk. What you should know about
contraception. Vol.3.
Kellhammer U. & Uberla K. (2012). Long-Term Studies on Side Effects of
Contraception-State and Planning. Springer.