Where does contraception fit in?

Reproductive health knowledge supports the values of safety, consent, and respect in relationships. Birth control plays a crucial role in ensuring teens have the tools to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and empowers them to plan for their futures.

Share basic information with your teens about common birth control methods (e.g., intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, pills and barrier methods, like condoms). Understanding birth control and safe sex options is a way to take ownership of health and decisions, preventing both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. Encourage teens to discuss birth control and STI prevention with potential sexual partners and help them to understand that one partner’s refusal to use birth control and/or practice safe sex may violate the principles of respect and consent. Protection is a mutual responsibility within a caring relationship. 

Advocate postponing sexual activity for readiness and help them to understand what readiness feels like. Share trusted, science-based resources with your teens on birth control and STI prevention. 

Pointers for difficult conversations

These conversations often don’t feel easy or natural for parents/guardians, especially if we weren’t raised in an environment that encouraged open communication about these topics. Here are a few strategies for initiating conversations about dating, boundaries, and reproductive health with your teens:

• Choose a relaxed setting, like a car ride or walk, where the teen might feel less pressured.
• Frame conversations as collaborative and judgment-free, making it clear you are a resource and ally.
• Use open-ended questions like:
  “What do you think makes a relationship healthy?”
  “What questions do you have about relationships?” 
  “How do you want to feel in a relationship?”
  “How can I best support you in navigating dating and relationships?”
• Listen carefully to better understand your teen’s values and approach to decision-making. This will help ensure your teen feels seen and heard. 
• Normalize the discussion around birth control and STIs as part of a broader talk about health, safety, and relationships.
• Show interest in their hobbies, eat dinner together often, and/or engage in regular, open communication about a variety of topics to help build trust.
• Share resources and regularly let them know you’re available.
• Seek support for yourself if you grew up in a household that considered such conversations shameful or inappropriate. Navigating these complex feelings with a trusted therapist, health educator or friend will help you to create an open communication channel between you and your teen(s). 

Don’t be discouraged if your teen isn’t receptive to the conversation right away. Trust-building usually doesn’t happen overnight. Patience, non-judgement, and gentle persistence are key, as is helping your teen identify other trusted-adults and resources to turn to if they are unable or unwilling to come to you.