As parents and caregivers, it is absolutely essential to be askable. What does it mean to be askable about contraception? How do adults become askable?

Being askable is an important goal. Research shows that youth with the least information about sexuality and sexual risk behaviors experiment more at earlier ages compared to youth with more information. Research also shows when teens are able to talk with a parent or other significant adult about sexuality and protection, they are less likely to engage in early and/or unprotected/ or risky sexual intercourse than are teens who have been unable to talk with a trusted adult.

Because being askable is so important and because so many adults have difficulty initiating discussions about sexuality with their children, adults may need to learn new skills and become more confident about their ability to discuss sexuality.

In addition to being askable, parents can also play a role in supporting their young person's sexual health by becoming activists. Health providers, teachers, legislators, and the media listen to parents' opinions and viewpoints about emergency contraception issues. Make your voice heard! Below are tips for parents on how to talk with your children about emergency contraception and how to support, your child's access to information and services about emergency contraception.

1. Thoughtfully explore your own feelings and values about sexuality, sexual activity and contraception. Include personal memories, values, and how you feel about current sexuality issues, such as contraceptive use, gender equality, etc. You must be aware of how you feel before you can effectively communicate with young people.
2. Talk with your child about your values. Open, two-way communication provides the basis for positive adult/youth relationships. Only by listening to each other will you understand one another, for adults and youth often perceive sexuality and love differently.
3. Encourage your child to take responsibility for their personal sexual and reproductive health needs. Provide guidance and support in helping teens make appointments for annual medical exams and physical check-ups.
4. Educate yourself and your teen about specifics around EC. Learn basic information about EC, how it works, costs, the importance of timely use, side effects and where EC is available and obtainable for teens.
5. Respect your child's need for access to confidential sexual and reproductive health services. Ensure that youth have private sessions with their health providers. Private sessions will enable teens to develop their own relationship with their health provider. It also offers an opportunity to ask embarrassing questions or explore private concerns about sexuality.
6. Make condoms and ECPs available in your home for older teens. Place a condom basket in the bathroom and keep ECPs in the medicine cabinet, in case the need arises.
7. Assess EC information and service at your child's high school. Raise the issue of the need for information on EC in schools. This includes school-based health clinics, parent-teacher associations and other related school facilities. Meet with health education teachers to determine the inclusion of EC in sex education curriculum. Encourage school nurses to provide EC information and referrals. If your child's school has a school based health center, determine if EC services are available. If not, advocate for the provision of EC.
8. Become an activist. Mobilize parents and adults in the community to increase access to EC. Learn about national parent led efforts that may motivate and inspire yourself and other adults in your community to learn more. Activities may include attending relevant workshops, holding community forums with providers, and conducting internet searches for tips and strategies. You can This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information as well.
9. Encourage your faith community to offer a sexuality education and teen pregnancy prevention program for young people. Ensure that the program discusses the use of EC.
10. Make your opinion heard. Write an op-ed to parenting magazines or local newspapers. Speak at local parent groups about the importance of EC as an option to prevent teen pregnancy and as a bridge to utilizing regular methods of birth control.