What are the best strategies for counseling adolescents about delaying sexual intercourse?
• Recognize and share with the adolescent client that sexual interest and desire during adolescence is normal and natural. • Discuss the client’s personal values and those of his or her family regarding sexual activity, taking into account his or her age, gender, marital status, social norms, and expectations. • Encourage the adolescent to have discussions with family or significant others in his or her life, if appropriate. • Ask the adolescent to discuss how far he or she is willing to go with respect to intimate sexual contact with his or her partner. • Ask the adolescent to identify the pros and cons of becoming sexually active (including health and social risks) and the potential effect of sexual activity in general, and sexual intercourse in particular on themselves, their partners, their family, and others. • Discuss and provide information on “how to say no” to unwanted or unprotected sexual activity. Suggest and explore possible responses to pressure from partners and peers. O
