The Adolescent Health Project’s Sweet Talk campaign is meant to normalize conversations teens have with their parents or guardians about sexuality and relationships.
Brenda Council, AHP Project Manager, says 32% of Nebraska high school youth report being sexually active.
57% of that group have engaged in sexual activity by the time they graduate.
She says the candy hearts the AHP is giving out have phrases on them that encourage open and honest communication.
Council says the hearts say things like ‘Let’s Talk,’ ‘Ask Me Anything’ and ‘I’m Listening.’
She knows the conversations may feel awkward on both ends but she emphasizes just how important it is they take place regardless.
"When young people feel they can have these conversations with their parents, 9 out of 10 report they are more likely to delay their first sexual encounter, that if they are sexually active, they are more likely to engage in safer sex practices and thereby avoid an unintended pregnancy and STD’s. They also report they’re less likely to have multiple partners.”
Council says these are all good decisions that help protect the long term safety and health of these teens.
For more information, the website is GetCheckedOmaha.com.