The birds and the bees

It's "The Talk" between teenagers and parents that makes both equally uneasy and both feel like they want to flee the room. But just because this is the most awkward talk on Earth, does it mean parents just simply shouldn't bring it up?

According to a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and YM magazine, more than 50 percent of teenagers have had sexual intercourse by age 18.

According to the survey conducted in the report, it was found that 28 percent of teens ages 15 to 16 find it typical to have intercourse in their relationship. When teens 17 to 18 were surveyed, it was found that more than half of teens (52 percent) say being in a relationship requires intercourse.

Are teens having sex because it's "the cool thing to do"? Are they doing it because their friends are doing it? Or because they have no one to inform them what the consequences are, what could happen, or how big of a deal this decision is?

A survey by Reuters found that 40 percent of teens say they got valuable advice from either television or in a school health or sex education class. The problem is, how do parents know this is the right education? How do they know this advice is actually valuable and helpful?

Television is not the place to go if you need advice regarding sex. Flip through the channels and I guarantee there will be no celebrity or talk show host talking about safe sex or the consequences of sex. Television promotes sex, if anything at all.

Also, sex education classes have been accused of concentrating too much on the biology side of sex and not nearly enough on preventing disease and pregnancy. As helpful as learning the biology aspect of sex is, it will not be running through a teenager's mind during the act.

Then what will?

Their parent's advice will be running through their head, their words of wisdom and of warning.

As hard as it is to confess, teenagers need direction and guidance. Studies of brain development show that mature, analytical thought processes aren't developed until the early to mid-20s for most youth.

According to Reuters, only 38 percent of girls and 25 percent of boys got advice and counseling on sexual matters from their parents.

So many teenagers have unanswered questions and know so little about something so big. Parents can answer these questions and inform their teens of "the birds and the bees."

So teens, listen to your parents. The talk is just as hard for them as it is for you. Parents, muster up the courage you need to discuss this subject with your teen. You will be glad you did.

Christina Chastain is a senior at Cape Girardeau Central High School and a contributing writer for the Southeast Missourian.