Health A to Z — 5 minutes
How to talk with teenagers about sexuality
Among the roles every parent must play, one of the most sensitive involves teaching their kids about sexuality. For many parents, the family has a key role to play in educating children on sexuality, but as our society evolves, expectations and boundaries are shifting, often so fast that it is difficult to keep up.
Nowadays, a healthy discussion of sexuality should not be limited to a one-off, awkward conversation about the mechanics of sex or the risks of pregnancy. Instead, it should be based on an open and ongoing dialogue about all aspects of sexuality, ranging from consent to the risks of infection. The sex education you provide for your child will likely be very different from the one you received, because your child is growing up in a very different context. This is your opportunity to learn from them as much as they need to learn from you.
The Quebec government has published the Parents’ guide for discussing sexuality with their teens. It addresses many issues of concern to parents and children during this crucial stage of their lives: adolescence.
The legal age of consent for sexual activity in Canada is 16 years. However, there are “close-in-age” exceptions if the older partner has no relationship of authority or trust with the younger person:[1]
It is important to create an environment of trust in which you can talk to your child about the true meaning of a “yes” and the importance and power of a “no.” Your teen also needs to understand that the right to withdraw consent is always available and they can change their mind at any time.
