Parents Matter
Maine pre-teens and teens are at risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You can help protect your child and reduce their risk. The research and resources on this website provide practical talking points, useful facts, and valuable resources to help Maine parents talk with their children about relationships, love, sex and abstinence. When it comes to talking about sex with your child, parents matter. If you ask them to wait, they just might listen.
Maine facts at-a-glance
12% of middle schoolers have had sex
45% high schoolers have had sex
1 in 5 teens have needed treatment for an STD
1,100 babies are born each year to girls age 15-19
The Reality Gap
Is it fact, or perception? What Maine parents think they know about pre-teen and teenage sex, and what their kids say, may be very different:
According to a survey done in 2004 http://www.parentsmatter.org/pdfs/maineparents_survey.pdf
Parent perception:
13% of parents of high school students believe their child has had sex
According to the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) http://www.mainecshp.com/survey.html
Teen reality:
43% of students have had sex
30% reality gap - 30% of all parents are most likely wrong
70% of parents whose teens are having sex may be totally unaware of their child’s behavior
Parent perception:
7% of parents believe that their child has had sex in the past three months
Teen reality:
31% of high school students have had sex in the past three months
24% reality gap – 24% of all parents are most likely wrong
76% of parents whose child has had sex in the past three months are most likely unaware of it
Get the Maine Facts here. Reality Gap, more info
Talking Points for Parents
Talking with our children about sex may be uncomfortable, but it’s important. We’ve gathered several tips to help make your conversations a little easier. Talk early. Talk often. Be clear. Be honest. Talking Points, more info
