How Can You Help

The primary source of information for a daughter about love, relationships, sexual behaviors, and attitudes comes from her parents and the way they interact. (Or, in the case of single parents, the way they behave with significant others.) This allows parents to be the first to teach their values and beliefs about sexuality to their daughter before anyone else does.

• As always, open communication during childhood and through adolescence will help you define and augment the information your daughter has already received from watching you and from listening to myriad other voices. Providing an accepting environment at home will further enable her to feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics with you.

• Starting with pubescence, girls tend to turn more to their mothers than to their fathers. A single father should support his daughter in finding women such as an aunt, teacher, or coach who can provide her with the female role that can help in developing identity. But fathers should remain involved. Without a father’s continuing interest in her, many teen girls start seeking inappropriate male attention outside the house.

• Research shows that teens who feel connected to their family and school are less likely to initiate premature sexual activity.

• Many parents and psychologists believe that teens need a reason to say “No” to early or premarital sex. Let your daughter know what is at stake. If your teenager is having sexual relations, maintain an open and honest dialogue about safe behaviors.

• Parents should set appropriate curfews for dating, allowing their daughter to enter the relationship waters gradually, first through group activities and later as one-half of a couple. Younger adolescents, even those who have physically matured, are not emotionally prepared for a one-on-one romantic involvement.