It's good to talk about sex (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

It's good to talk about sex

Fran BirchTEENAGE girls in Swindon have improved access to emergency contraception and abortions in Swindon. The morning after pill is now available to girls as young as 12 and the town's first abortion clinic is due to open next month. Here Fran Birch, teenage pregnancy co-ordinator at Swindon Primary Care Trust, shares her views on the importance of children being about to talk to their parents about sex

Many parents find the idea that their children are grown up enough to embark on a sexual relationship quite difficult to accept.

I understand that recent announcements about services opening locally where young women can get emergency contraception or abortions may increase parents' concerns.

A lot of my generation grew up without talking about sex in the home and now as a parent myself, I understand that no matter how much we want to, just beginning a conversation about sex can be hard.

In Swindon the message we give to young people is to encourage them to talk about sexual health. That means talking more to partners, parents or to professionals such as GPs, nurses and teachers who can really support them. This way young people can feel supported whether they are sexually active or not.

As we know, young people do have unplanned pregnancies and that's why in Swindon we have a successful and innovative strategy to prevent teenage pregnancies. This isn't just about giving the right sexual health advice when and where it is most needed, but is also about working with parents, men and women and professionals to help everyone understand the issues that young people face in their relationships.

Young people live in the society where sexual images are everywhere and sex is constantly on the agenda. This brings its own added pressures.

For example, many teen magazines lead us to believe that all young people are having sex. But the reality is, according to the 2002 National Survey of Sexual Health Attitudes and Lifestyles, only quarter of girls and nearly a third of boys have sex under 16.

As a professional working to improve the life chances of young people in Swindon, I am keen to dispel the myth that health professionals either don't want to or won't, talk to parents about sexual issues.

We always try to persuade young people to talk to a parent or other significant adult; we will offer to start the discussion on their behalf.

If the young person gives their consent to this, we find it can often be the best way forward.

It is important, however, parents understand that young people have the same confidentiality rights as anyone over the age of 18. GPs, pharmacists and health professionals in Swindon follow strict confidentiality guidelines when consulting with young people on any subject including terminations and contraception.

At the same time we actively encourage young people to talk to their parents.

We have teachers trained in delivering sex and relationship education in all schools and we have specialist young people's confide clinics across Swindon where young people can go for sexual health advice. We would encourage them to do so before they have sex and are very happy for parents to go along.

We also encourage parents to talk to their children about sex and relationships. Making time to talk about any subject is a good start. If children feel they can talk to their parents without fear of embarrassment, then difficult questions about sex will follow.

Any parent who needs a bit of support with this can phone the Swindon Children's Information help line on 0800 1977 669.

I am meeting with some parents who feel that there is more we can do to encourage parents and teenagers to talk freely about sex and relationships and would be happy to hear from any local parents who are interested. Please contact me on 01793 708770.