SPRING CAN BE PEAK TIME FOR TEEN SEX

Spring breaks and prom provide added peer pressure for youth, and concern for parents.

Milwaukee, Wis. March 4, 2008 - With warm breezes, extra time out of school and landmark events such as prom, many teens experience added sexual peer pressure this time of year. Consequently, parents need to keep communication lines open and talk with their children.

“Peer pressure and sexual activity tends to escalate during certain times of the year,” says Al Castro, Executive Director for Rosalie Manor Community & Family Services. “Springtime is one of these times. Rosalie Manor’s ‘A Crying Shame’ abstinence campaign was created to help teens and parents handle these issues.”

Dating Rights
At times, it is difficult for some young men and women to remember they have the right to say no to sex, unwanted attention, serious relationships and more. Below is a list of “dating rights” that can help youth communicate their feelings and make healthy life choices: Dating Rights: I have the right to...

• Choose to go out with friends without pairing up with someone.
• Say "no" to a physical closeness.
• Say "I want to get to know you better before I get more involved.”
• Say "I don’t want to be in this relationship anymore.”
• Have my own morals, values and beliefs respected.
• Say "I love you" without having sex.

Parents Make an Impact
For many reasons, some parents don’t address premarital sex with their children because they think they can’t make a difference. A study proves the contrary. The Institute for Youth Development found that teens rely on their parents’ guidance and support more than anyone else when faced with problems or important decisions.

Following are some suggestions from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy to help parents talk to their kids about sex and sexual abstinence:

• Choose the right time and place. Talk to your child when you're not in a hurry and aren’t distracted and rushed. Effective communication can't happen if everyone is tired and tense.
• Be sure to listen. Make eye contact and acknowledge what your child is saying and show that you understand, even if you don't agree. If you don't understand, ask your child to clarify what he/she is trying to say.
• Enhance self-esteem by praising your child for as many positive things as you can find. Try to point out at least one positive thing each time you talk.
• If you don’t feel confident talking to your children about sex, seek resources for help such as the Website www.acryingshame.info created by Rosalie Manor and the Milwaukee Alliance for Teaching Abstinence that supplies valuable resources and information for youth, families and educators regarding sexual abstinence.

Part of the Milwaukee community for 100 years, Rosalie Manor Community & Family Services is a non-profit organization that works to reduce the incidence of child abuse and teen pregnancy. For more information about the “A Crying Shame” abstinence campaign or other Rosalie Manor programs, please contact Dawn Groshek at 414-449-2868 x 202 or via email at d.groshek@rmcfs.org or visit the abstinence Website at www.acryingshame.info.