News

October is ‘Let’s Talk’ Month

Georgia- October 1, 2007 - October is ‘Let’s Talk’ Month, a national campaign to emphasize the importance of conversations between young people and the adults they trust about sex and relationships.

This month, many local agencies and organizations are hosting events throughout the state to celebrate ‘Let’s Talk’ month. Working together, parents and their communities can provide the information and skills necessary to prepare young people to become healthy adults.

Providing youth with accurate, reliable sex education is an important responsibility. Studies reveal that most young people prefer learning about sex from their parents.  Many parents are uncomfortable starting the conversation, though, and need support and encouragement. Parents need to know that they do not need to have all the answers to talk with their children about sex, and that it is important to share their values and beliefs about sex when they do talk to their children.

Such discussions can help young people delay sexual activity and avoid unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Research shows that the number one factor in healthy adolescent sexual decision-making is good communication and close relationships with a child’s parents or adult guardian.

The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP) supports parents year-round with a community-based initiative called Plain Talk/Hablando Claro. Launched in 2005 to serve the Latino population in Gainesville, Plain Talk/Hablando Claro is aimed at giving adults, parents and community leaders the skills and tools they need to talk with young people about reducing risky sexual behaviors. G-CAPP holds educational health parties in homes and invites parents from the community to learn about teen pregnancy prevention, community resources, and strategies for engaging their children in discussion. This year so far, nearly 300 parents and community members participated in the home health parties and shared the information with their children.

There are numerous resources available to assist parents in starting a conversation with their children. For those parents with access to the Internet, the G-CAPP website at www.gcapp.org provides strategies for talking with youth, links to other resources, and statistics on teen pregnancy.

G-CAPP is a non-profit organization founded in 1995. G-CAPP’s mission is to eliminate adolescent pregnancy in Georgia by developing program innovations that promote the healthy development of our most vulnerable adolescents.