Sexuality and sexual health
As kids grow up, it’s healthy for them to develop a sense of their sexuality, learn how to express affection and have respectful relationships. Sexuality isn’t just about sexual behaviour; it’s about the way your child feels about their body, and their growing ability to have feelings of intimacy, attraction and affection for others.
Dating
Dating is a normal part of adolescence. It’s one of the ways young people start to learn the skills needed to form and maintain intimate relationships later in life. You can provide the guidance and boundaries a teenager needs to safely learn and practise these life skills.
If you have a partner, model what a good relationship looks like and point out that you behave respectfully, supportively and lovingly towards each other. Talk about what really matters in a relationship, such as shared values and interests. Have conversations about the things that strengthen relationships, such as honesty and empathy, and about the signs that a relationship is not working.
Let teenagers know your rules around dating, for example:
- you must meet the person before they head off on a date
- up to a certain age, dates must involve a group of friends or a family activity
- if they’re going to a party, there must be adult supervision
- you always need to know who they’re going out with, where they are going and how they plan to get home by the curfew you have set
- solo dates are only permitted after a certain age.
Don’t forget, not all young people may use the word ‘dating’.
If your child is dating or has a boyfriend or girlfriend, keep an eye out for changes in their mood or behaviour. Sometimes, those changes are an indication the young person is unhappy, depressed or involved in an abusive relationship. Talk to your caseworker if you have any concerns.