Native American Outreach Center
Parents Speak Up, Share Your Vision
Presented by: [Presenter Name]
Workshop Overview
- Agenda:
- Introduction
- Campaign Overview
- Get the Facts
- Talking Tips
- Parents Speak Up, Share Your Vision
- Guidelines for discussion
- Respect others’ opinions
- All comments are welcome
Campaign Overview
What: National public education campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Objective: Encourage parents to talk, early and often, to their children about postponing early sexual activity
Target audience: Parents of children aged 10 to 13
Campaign includes: TV, radio, print, outdoor, interactive, and community outreach
Web site: www.4parents.gov
Native American Outreach Center
Share Your Vision: Native American community outreach
Purpose:
- To share the “Parents Speak Up” message
- To be a resource
- To empower parents
Kauffman & Associates, Inc.
www.4parents.gov/shareyourvision
Public Service Announcement
- “Talk to Me” will run nationwide.
- Features Cora Tanae Williams, a 12-year-old Native American actress
Did You Know?
About 46% of high school students in the U.S. have had sexual intercourse.
An estimated 46% of Indian mothers having their first child are under the age of 20.
Did You Know?
Each year, one in four teens contracts an STD.
HIV/AIDS, HPV, Herpes, and pregnancy can all make it more difficult for a teen to succeed.
Most sexually active teens wish they had waited longer to have sex.
Who Influences Your Children?
Media?
Rappers?
Movie stars?
Music?
TV?
Who Influences Your Children?
You do!
When Parents Speak Up, Kids Listen
Why Is Talking So Hard?
“I’m not ready for my child to grow up.”
“I don’t know how to get started”
It’s not easy, but you’re not alone.
Many parents have difficulty talking with their kids about sex and waiting.
“My child isn’t ready yet – she’s still just a baby.”
“They’re not thinking about it, it’s just not an issue.”
“If I talk about it, they’ll become more curious and want to experiment.”
The Power of Parents
9 out of 10 teens say that it would be easier to wait to have sex if they could talk with their parents about it.
Connect Through “CARE”
Contact: Be approachable and willing to spend time.
Ask: Over time, ask questions. Learn and understand their friends, activities, feelings, and relationships.
Right: You will then “Earn the right” (in your child’s eyes) to give advice.
Encourage: Seek out a child’s good behavior and affirm the things they do right.
Have an Effective Conversation
Share your expectations and values about sex and the importance of waiting.
Start talking early – ideally around age 10 or 11– when your child is beginning the transition into adolescence.
Talk often to reinforce your values and maintain open communication with your child.
What Has Worked for Other Parents?
Use movies, TV, and everyday occurrences as “ways into” the conversation.
Use “bite-sized” communications – build up the information over time.
Have conversations during everyday, enjoyable activities (driving, playing catch).
What Has Worked for Other Parents?
Avoid direct confrontation that may lead to discomfort with the parent and/or child.
Ask questions to get your child to talk about their beliefs.
Keep it light and casual.
Help Your Teens Be Strong
Intimacy balanced by commitment
Right decision making
Guard integrity of each individual
You are more than a body
What’s Going On Inside?
Beliefs
Feelings
Actions
Habits
Personality
Destiny
Types of bonds and how they form
Words: Intimacy starts with words.
Time: Intimacy grows over time.
Breath: The breath of life is like your spirit.
Sex: The ultimate level of intimacy is sex. “In–to-me-see” (Intimacy)
Strategies to Help Teens Say No
N – Say “No.”
I – Follow with an “I” statement.
C – If pressure continues, change subject or location.
E – If these strategies don’t help, your teen needs an “exit” plan.
Parents Speak Up, Share Your Vision
Tradition – Passing It On
Community Outreach Kit
- The Issue
- Talking Circle
- The Facts
- Partner Organizations
- Parent Commitment Card
- Posters
- Parents Speak Up
www.4parents.gov/shareyourvision
More information
Upcoming events
We’re Here to Help
Native American Outreach Center
Kauffman and Associates, Inc.
South 165 Howard Street, Suite 200
Spokane, WA 99201
509-747-4994
www.4parents.gov/shareyourvision
www.4parents.gov
Native American Blessing
Visit www.4parents.gov
Get help and support
What you’ll find there:
- Facts
- Tips to start the conversation
- Downloadable tools
Other tools:
- “Parents, Speak Up” brochure
- “Teen Chat”
Statistics and More Information
The statistics used in this presentation can be found in the following places:
- Maynard, R.A., “The Costs of Adolescent Childbearing,” in R.A. Maynard (ed.), Kids Having Kids: Economic Costs and Social Consequences of Teen Pregnancy (pp. 285-338), Washington, DC: The Urban Institute Press, 1997.
- Singh, S., & Darroch, J.E., “Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing: Levels and Trends in Developed Countries,” Family Planning Perspectives, 32(1), pp. 14-23.
- Resnick, M.D.; Bearman, R.S.; Blum, R.W.; Bauman, K.E.; Harris, K.M.; Jones, J.; Tabor, J.; Beuhring, T.; Sieving, R.E.; Shew, M.; Ireland, M.; Bearinger, L.H.; and Udry, J.R. “Protecting Adolescents From Harm. Findings From the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health.” Journal of the American Medical Association, 1997, 278:823-832.
- Statistics and More Information
- Albert, Bill. “With One Voice 2007: America’s Adults and Teens Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy.” National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. February 2007.
- Centers for Disease Control, 2006. http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/population/native.asp
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and The Office of Population Affairs. “Parents, Speak Up!” Available for download at http://www.4parents.gov.
- Cohen M. Adolescent sexual activity as all expression of nonsexual needs. Pediatric Annals 1995;24:324-9.
www.4parents.gov is a useful resource for finding these and other facts and figures.
Last revised: July 14, 2008
