The importance of condoms usage for teens

I have a 16 year old kid, a boy. He has began dating from not long and though I am sure he is a very responsible teen, I still feel very anxious about his sexual life safety. That’s why I looked for a specialist’s help, a Professor in teens sexual behavior. He suggested be to talk to my kid, as friend , explaining the importance of condom usage during his sexual activities. I immediately thought of how embarrassed I could feel to talk about condoms to my kid.  So I decided to first learn more about this subjects: condoms and teens.

I started to gather information through internet. I don’t know why but for whatever reason sexually active teens, today are using condoms less and less maybe due to their custom to be involved in short term relationships . They probably feel that since they are being monogamous they have no need for one. But the problem is that they are still exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and to unwanted pregnancies. That’s why it’s important for us parents to teach them the risks of sexual activities without protection.

Condoms have to become a custom for our kids. And even with the use of a condom I feel it's very important to teach our teens how wonderful is to be in a long term relationship. They should wait six months in between partners before making love without using a condom. Of course, best would also be to make regular check ups and testing for STD'S  in order to reduce the risks or transmission. While waiting for an HIV check up during their relationships, the only way for teens not to be at risk for exposure is to not be exposed to any vaginal secretion or sperm. Sexual transmitted deseases can even happen through oral sex, petting, touching , kissing, because of the bodily fluids exchange.

It’s really too bad that very few parents are realistically concerned with this matter. Our teens sexual life could be much safer if all parents would prepare their kids mentally and practically ( maybe by buying their kids condoms) to confront with their sexual life.

Getting to know all the risk my son would occur into, made me aware of the importance of speaking with him about this matter and I finally found the courage to overcome my embarrassment.