"Talk To Me" - Sexuality Education for Parents

Introduction

Program History
"Talk To Me" is a sexuality education program designed to help parents to talk to their children about sexuality. It has been developed with emphasis on teenage perspectives. It was initially developed by the Cape Breton Wellness Centre and the University College of Cape Breton, in collaboration with parents and funded by Health Canada. "Talk To Me" was then adapted into French and revised to address the recommendations of parents who had participated in a pilot project.

The program's intent is to make parents more aware of adolescent needs and difficulties related to sexuality, to develop their communication skills and to help them become more knowledgeable and more 'askable' parents.

Whom does the "Talk To Me" program target?
This program is mainly aimed at parents of ten to thirteen-year olds who wish to better understand the questions and concerns of their pre-pubescent child, related to sexuality. In addition, certain themes and issues dealt with throughout the "Talk To Me" program will also allow parents of thirteen to eighteen-year olds to obtain some answers to their questions and concerns.
Philosophy of the "Talk To Me" program

Philosophy of the "Talk To Me" program
This program reflects the views of the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education (Health Canada, 1994) ⁽¹⁾. "Talk To Me", for instance:

• Incorporates the key components of knowledge acquisition, development of motivation and personal insight, development of skills that support sexual health, and development of the critical awareness and skills needed to create an environment conducive to sexual health.

• Integrates the positive, life-enhancing and rewarding aspects of human sexuality as it pursues the equally important goal of reducing or preventing sexual problems.

Program participation
"Talk To Me" is divided into five workshops focusing on various themes: Attitudes toward Sexuality, Puberty and the Changing Adolescent, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS, Contraception and Communication. Parents can be invited to participate in the entire series, but the program has been designed in modules allowing topics to be offered according to parents? needs, availability and interests. Proposed activities may also be carried out separately from the specific workshops. "Talk To Me" is also available in French as "Parle-moi".

The objectives of "Talk To Me"
The "Talk To Me" focuses on three different types of objectives: cognitive, emotional and behavioural. These two-hour workshops promote the integration of new insights, encourage reflection and the expression of emotions and further communication between parents and adolescents.

1. Attitudes Toward Sexuality
Parents will learn to better understand their own perceptions of sexuality and to evaluate their level of comfort with the issue. They will also learn about the importance of a positive attitude and of promoting discussion between themselves and their child or teenager(s). The parents will learn the importance and the purpose of their role as sexual health educators for their child(ren).

2. Puberty and the Changing Adolescent
Parents will become more knowledgeable on the subject of puberty. They will reflect on and understand the host of changes their children go through during this important time and be better equipped to speak to their children about puberty.

3. Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS
Parents will become more knowledgeable about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They will learn about the asymptomatic nature of these communicable diseases, their long-term consequences as well as their modes of transmission. Parents will become more aware of the importance of adopting safer sex behaviours. They will also reflect on their own level of risk within their sexual relationship(s).

4. Contraception
Parents will become more knowledgeable of the different methods of contraception contraception and the benefits of dual protection. They will have a chance to discuss each method and explore the advantages and disadvantages, as well as what may make one method more appropriate for their teen than another. The participants will also become more familiar with the main difficulties teenagers face related to birth control methods and will have the opportunity to assess the impact of their own roles and values in matters of contraception.

5. Communication
Parents will become more adept at understanding the dynamics of communicating with adolescents. They will also learn more about the necessary principles to respect to help facilitate dialogue related to sexuality. Parents will become more aware of their own limitations and strengths as well as the non-verbal messages they convey in matters related to sexuality. Lastly, parents will be invited to practice this newly found knowledge by completing an at-home assignment with their teen(s).

Procedure of "Talk To Me"
Each two-hour workshop offers a variety of interactive exercises. Parents may participate in exposés, group discussions, completing questionnaires, role-playing, brainstorming, and may work in teams or alone, etc. Each workshop includes a ten-minute break. The approximate length of time to complete each activity may vary according to the number of parents and their level of participation, the module objectives and the role of the facilitator. Every workshop recommends an assignment so that the parents may put specific techniques into practice. The goal is to strengthen the parent-adolescent bond. A list of web site references is also made available at the end of each module offering additional information on the various related topics. Both parents and adolescents are encouraged to visit these sites and to improve their knowledge. Other sites allow for quick access to different local resources across Canada. A bibliographical reference has been prepared for the entire range of issues addressed throughout the "Talk To Me" program. Written and oral evaluations are completed at the end of each workshop.

¹http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cgshe-ldnemss/cgshe_toc.htm

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