Parents are 'happy to give their children condoms' - Femail

By Daily Telegraph Reporter

Published: 15 Jun 2009

 

Almost a quarter of parents reported making an appointment with their local GP for their teenager to talk through the different types of contraception. The poll also found parents are no longer prudish about talking about sex with their children. Just four percent of parents questioned were anxious if they discovered their teenager, carried contraception such as condoms. In addition, almost a quarter of parents reported making an appointment with their local GP for their teenager to talk through the different types of contraception. And a third have given their teenage son or daughter details of a local clinic where they can get advice, it found. But despite the openness, two in five teenagers say they still feel the need to hide it if they are carrying contraception.

 

The poll, of more than 1,000 people, was commissioned as part of the Government's Time to Talk campaign. Teen agony aunt Anita Naik said: "Parents are more savvy than ever before and teenagers should be really encouraged by this. "Even just ten years ago I would have expected a much higher percentage of parents to say they would be alarmed if they were to discover their teen carrying contraception and reluctant to talk about it. "Far from being embarrassed, however, and as the statistics now show, the overwhelming majority of parents I encounter would be reassured to find their teen taking responsibility for their sexual health and feel confident about talking to them further about the subject."

 

In March the Government published a new leaflet giving advice to parents on how to talk to their child about sex. The guide suggests parents could use the lives of celebrities as a way of introducing the topic and says parents should choose informal moments, such as when watching TV, rather than sitting teenagers down for a "big talk". It lists the different types of contraception available and says parents should go with their child to visit the doctor, as it can be "difficult" for them.
 

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