A recent national survey found 74 percent of parents are talking with their tweens and teens about how to say no to sex and sexual advances. Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota framed this result in a negative light -- saying only 74 percent -- but I must admit that sounded like a pretty solid rate to me. If three in four parents are talking openly with their kids about this touchy subject, that seems like a good start!

To the same point, Planned Parenthood found through its survey that only 43 percent of parents felt comfortable talking to their kids (ages 10-18) about sex, while 57 percent were somewhat comfortable or uncomfortable. But if you take the somewhat comfortable parents and combine them with the comfortable parents, then the picture looks different. Then 82 percent of parents are comfortable or somewhat comfortable, and only 18 percent are uncomfortable.

The focus on the negative was likely to highlight October as "Let's Talk Month," a community event designed to increase communication between parents and children about sexual health. Studies have found that strong bonds and open communication between children and parents are protective against sexual activity, drug use and other social ills.

And Jennifer Aulwes, a spokeswoman for the local Planned Parenthood chapter, said there is a good reason to look at the survey numbers in a critical light: "While 74 percent might seem like a solid number, it still means that one in four parents aren't talking with their kids about how to say no to sex. As a health care provider concerned about health outcomes for young people, we want to make sure all parents are talking to their kids about sex."

Rates of teen sexually transmitted diseases (not including HIV) have also reached historic highs in Minnesota, she noted.

According to the recent survey of parents with children ages 10-18:

  • 92 percent discuss relationships with their children.
  • 87 percent discuss when sex should, or should not, take place.
  • 60 percent discuss birth control options.
  • 93 percent feel confident they influence whether or not their child has sex.