Parent Involvement, Resources and Articles

Parents and other caregivers are the primary sexuality educators of their children and play a vital role in the education of young people about these issues. Following are some resources that may be useful to parents who want to learn more about communicating with their children about sexuality and making healthy decisions.

Popular Sexuality Workshops Offered by Michigan PTSA

Free parent workshops about sexuality education can be requested by local schools and/or parents groups in Michigan. The workshops focus on how parents can talk with their children and partner with schools for more effective sexuality education and are supported by a grant from the Michigan Department of Education and implemented in local communities. Workshops are lead by Barbara Flis, a well-known health and education leader and advocate with the Michigan PTSA. For additional information, a flyer LINK, or to request a workshop contact barbflis@msn.com

Programs, Newsletters Brochures, and Bibliographies


	Can We Talk? National Education Association A community program designed to help parents talk with their children about healthy relationships and sexuality, including the prevention of pregnancy, HIV/STDs, drug abuse and violence.
	Families are Talking Newsletters. Sexuality Information, Education, Council of the United States. Volume 1— Adolescents Would Prefer Parents as Primary Sexuality Educators Volume 2—Teens Talk About TV, Sex, and Real Life
	Healthy Newsletters for Parents. Bridge Communications A Michigan developed newsletter that delivers high-quality and accessible information on health and family issues. Three different editions of these full-color newsletters are published twice a year. Each edition is designed for families of children in specific age ranges.
	How To Talk with Your Kids About Sex. Campaign for our Children Includes information about being sensitive, opening the door, using teachable moments, clarifying values, morals, and beliefs, and recommended readings.
	Parent-Child Communication Basics. Advocates for Youth An education program designed to enhance parent-child communication. Includes an on-line facilitators guide, forms and transparencies, and marketing materials.
	Parent-Child Communication Resources. Advocates for Youth Contains an extensive list of national organizations, suggested reading materials, and web-sites that provide information on parent-child communication.
	Parents: A Lifelong Family Dialogue. Raising Sexually Health Kids. AboutHealth.com Provides basic information for parents of young children (0-7) and preadolescent and adolescents (8-18) to help families talk about any sensitive issues. Includes information, activities, and tips for parents.
	Parent’s Guide: Becoming an Askable Parent Includes ways you can teach your child about sexuality. Good sexuality education is based on the idea that loving and caring parents actively discover a child's needs for information and then find ways to fill those needs.
	Parent’s Resource Guide On Talking with Kids About Love, Sex, and Relationships To help parents talk more effectively about important issues like sex and pregnancy, the National Campaign has assembled this list of easily available resources for parents, most of which are either free or inexpensive.
	Sexuality Education in the Home—An Annotated Bibliography Designed to provide parents and caregivers with resources they can use to talk to their children about sexuality and to prepare them for adult lives as sexually healthy people.
	Talking with TV: A Guide to Starting Dialogue with Youth How to determine what TV teaches children about sexuality, values, and other sensitive subjects.
	What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Children From Cyberspace To help parents understand technology and the role they must play in monitoring its use.

Selected Research Articles and Press Releases

Parent and Family Involvement

	Analysis Identifies Factors that Promote and Protect Against Sexual Activity Among Teens (September 2001)
	Parent Child Homework Enhances Communication and Supports Teens Intentions to Be Abstinent (March/April 2001)
	Teenage Partners’ Communication About Sexual Risk and Condom Us—The Importance of Parent-Teenager Discussion (May/June 1999)
	Family Adolescent Risk Behavior and Communication Study (October, 1998)
	Family Communication About Sex: What are Parents Saying and Are Their Adolescents Listening (October 1998)

National Organizations and Websites

	Campaign for Our Children
	Mother’s Voices An organization committed to assisting parents in their role as primary educators about sexuality.
	National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
	National PTA
	Talking with Kids About Tough Issues

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This page last last updated on: 04/07/03

Volume 2—Teens Talk About TV, Sex, and Real Life