In a new article from HuffPost, Ellen Friedrichs—a health and sexuality educator—talks about how parents and caregivers can separate fact from fiction and respond in a way that makes their teen feel comfortable and safe.

“Despite what a lot of people think, teens are generally less sexually active than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. And they are certainly having less sex than teens were when most of us parents attended high school.”

“It is also important for adults to understand that while sexual intimacy can be a developmentally appropriate and positive experience for older teens with caring partners, American adolescents face multiple barriers to achieving optimal sexual health.”

“Some parents might mistakenly assume that they are a trusting, caring adult for their kids when it comes to sex…whether your child initiates a discussion about sex beforehand or you become aware of a situation afterward, be mindful of how you approach the conversation.”

Read more from Jerrica and Mac from our Capacity Building department, as they chime in on the importance of comprehensive sex education and services and how parents and caregivers can be an askable adult.