What Can Parents Do?

While parents can't control when their children will have sex or whether they will use contraception, their values and parenting style can make a difference, show studies by Robert Blum at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and others.

To help parents talk with their kids about love, sex and relationships, Blum recommends this advice from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy:

· Be clear about your own sexual values and attitudes.

· Talk early and often with your children about sex.

· Help teenagers find options for their future that are more attractive than early pregnancy and parenthood.

· Let your teens know that you value education.

· Know what your kids are watching, reading and listening to.

· Supervise and monitor your children.

· Know your children's friends and their families.

· Discourage early, frequent and steady dating.

· Build close, caring relationships with your children early in childhood.

-- Elizabeth Agnvall