What are the most important points to cover when counseling adolescents about sexual behavior?
• Help them understand the physical and emotional changes that occur with growth and development. • Stress the importance of clarifying one’s personal values and having skills to ensure that unwanted sex does not occur. • Dispel local and customary myths and practices that may be harmful or put the adolescent at greater risk for pregnancy or STIs. • Ask questions that help assess risk, including inquiries about STIs and possibly abusive relationships. Ask questions that help assess risk, including: • Whether the adolescent is engaged or has been involved in sex with a partner. • His or her level of knowledge about preventing pregnancy and STIs and his or her perception of risk. • Whether the adolescent practices safe sex every time he or she engages in sex. • If the adolescent has had multiple partners. • If the adolescent has engaged in same-sex sexual relationships; and if the partner or partners of the adolescent is engaging or has engaged in same-sex sexual relationships. • Inquiri
