Parents no longer worried if teens carry condoms

Published on Sunday 14 June 2009 21:59

PARENTS are no longer concerned about their children carrying contraception, with a fifth saying they have bought condoms to keep at home, a survey found today.

The poll, of more than 1,000 people, found that parents are no longer prudish about talking about sex.

Just four per cent of parents questioned said they would be anxious if they discovered their teenager, aged 16-19, was carrying contraception, with nine in ten saying they would want to talk to them about it.

In addition, almost a quarter of parents (24 per cent) reported making an appointment with their local GP for their teenager to talk through the different types of contraception.

And a third (34 per cent) have given their teenage son or daughter details of a local clinic where they can get advice.

But despite the openness, two in five teenagers (39 per cent) say they still feel the need to hide it if they are carrying contraception, the poll, commissioned as part of the government's Time to Talk campaign, found.

Teen agony aunt Anita Naik said: "Parents are more savvy than ever before and teenagers should be really encouraged by this.

"Even just ten years ago I would have expected a much higher percentage of parents to say they would be alarmed if they were to discover their teen carrying contraception and reluctant to talk about it.

"Far from being embarrassed, however, and as the statistics now show, the overwhelming majority of parents I encounter would be reassured to find their teen taking responsibility for their sexual health and feel confident about talking to them further about the subject."