Knox County Health Department

Oct. 10, 2007                                                             
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Ranee Randby,
Knox County Health Department                                                                            
215-5534 or 388-6186

PARENT‑Child Communication is focus of "Let's Talk" Month

October is Let's Talk Month because the Tennessee Department of Health recognizes that most parents want the opportunity to share their values and provide their children with accurate information about sexuality. Public health professionals also know that many parents are uncomfortable and need ideas and information to start meaningful discussions. The good news is that teens want to hear about sex and relationships from their parents.

"The truth is that children want and need to learn about values, sex, and sexual responsibility from their first and most important sex educators -- their parents,” said Cynthia Hudson, the Tennessee Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program Coordinator for Knox County. “And parents can't afford to leave their children's sex education to television, magazines, movies or other children."

The parent-child connection is a powerful protective factor. Remember, lecturing or talking "at" your children is not as effective as developing a warm, open, caring relationship with them. Parents are urged to start the conversation early. Talk with your children about every aspect of their lives. Begin with easier topics such as sports, pop culture (music, videos, games, the Internet), local and national events, school, friends, the weather and then you can move on to the harder topics. Some tips to keep the lines of communication open are:

• Be a good listener first.
• Take advantage of teachable moments -- those situations that open the door for you. For example, "I think that girl on TV is too young to be having sex. What do you think?"
• Keep the door open by letting your child know you are there for other conversations.
• Let children know you won't judge them.
• When your child comes to you with a question, stop and listen. He or she may not have the courage to ask again.

"Research shows that the more parents are involved in their children's lives in a positive way, the less likely their children are to engage in risky behaviors such as using alcohol or other drugs, smoking, and having early and/or unprotected sex,"  said Hudson, who is also a Public Health Educator for the Knox  County Health Department.

For more information or additional resources about talking with your child, contact the Tennessee Department of Health’s Tennessee Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program toll-free at 1-877-461-8277 or call Cynthia Hudson at the Knox County Health Department, 215-5178.

The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) is committed to promoting public health practices that safeguard and improve quality of life for all residents. KCHD offers an array of services, including medical and dental services, family planning, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, air quality management, environmental services, food preparation oversight in public places, special nutritional programs for women with children and much more.  For more information on the Knox County Health Department, visit www.knoxcounty.org/health/index.php.