photo by:
buenosaurus Teens and parents: Before you do this exercise, please
read the notes at the bottom of this page.
Teens:
Complete this form by writing in the appropriate column the age at which
you would feel comfortable engaging in the behavior. Later, ask your
parents to fill in the parent column, and discuss the
responses.
Parents: Complete this form by writing
in the appropriate column the age at which you would feel comfortable if
your preteen or teen engaged in the activity. Later, ask your teen/preteen
to fill in the ages at which he/she thinks the behavior is appropriate.
Discuss the responses.
When is it okay to … |
||
|
|
Preteen/Teen |
Parent |
|
Hold hands |
|
|
|
Kiss on the lips |
|
|
|
French kiss |
|
|
|
Participate in petting |
|
|
|
Go out in a group of friends |
|
|
|
Date |
|
|
|
Undress in front of a boyfriend/girlfriend |
|
|
|
Have sexual intercourse |
|
|
|
Live with someone without being in a committed relationship |
|
|
|
Enter a committed relationship with someone |
|
|
Notes to Teens and Parents
As you do this exercise and discuss your responses, please listen to each
other. Ask the other person to talk about why he/she feels that an age is
appropriate or acceptable for the particular behavior. Remember that these
are individual values, not eternal truths; so, you can be open to
different views and avoid being critical or
judgmental.
Parents: It is important that you share
your values. However, remember that as your teen moves into young
adulthood, he/she will make private decisions about sexuality. You will
have no control over those decisions.
Teens: It is
important to listen to your parents and consider their opinions carefully,
even as you express your own values. Their experiences and wisdom may help
you to make difficult decisions; but in the end, the decisions are
yours to make.
Reprinted with the permission of Advocates for Youth.
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