I agree that spending time with your children and really listening to them, and getting to truly know them is so important, but Whoa---does anyone see something missing in this article---like no mention of sexually transmitted diseases and how their lives and health can be affected (in some cases for the rest of their lives)---is your teen prepared to take that risk? Be kind to your kids and allow them to make an "informed" decision. Don't let birth control give them a false sense of security (in the cute romantic movies you don't see the after effects of jumping into an intimate relationship). Also give them the alternative--to have respect for themselves and not be a slave to their passions, learning not to give in to every feeling. By learning to discipline themself, they then have the freedom to choose. Isn't that one factor that separates human beings from animals?

I am so glad that you are addressing this important topic. When my daughter (who is now 20) was in her last year of high school she began dating a boy who was a year older and attending the university nearby (they have known each other however since pre-school). He was the first boy that she dated but it seemed to get pretty serious quickly enough--she began coming in at 4 in the morning and I was not comfortable with the two of them out in our unsafe urban neighborhood at that hour. So I put it to her plainly--I told her bluntly that only she could really decide for herself whether or not she was ready to have a sexual relationship. If she decided that yes, she was ready then I insisted that she see a gynecologist and establish a relationship and learn how to best care for herself and i also told her that she needed to be on birth control (which i am sure she already knew, but it doesn't hurt to mention it again). Well, she was embarrassed that i brought this subject up, but she quickly got over it, and now it is just not an issue in our house--she is healthy and they are still together three years later and he sleeps over our house in her room or she sleeps at his and it is all very normal and matter of fact. We don't discuss it anymore but at least she is safe and i know where she is. So I guess my only addition to your suggestions is that if you believe your child is sexually active or soon to be--bring it up! Talk about it. And see how it goes. if the subject is brought up respectfully than i think it can have very positive results. Not sure what other people think since i have never discussed it with anyone.