Helping teenage children to cope with their own sexuality can be difficult for parents, especially when society and its attitudes towards sexual behaviour have changed so rapidly. This book offers advice on a range of problems from the bodily changes at puberty through to coping with relationships.

About the Author Foreword by Anne Weyman, OBE (Chief Executive, Family Planning Association) Introduction Puberty Bodily changes in girls Bodily changes in boys The age of puberty The emotional consequences of puberty Periods Wet dreams Is puberty starting earlier than in previous generations? Learning about sex Schools Parents Society Friends The media Communication Sexual development in early adolescence The need for privacy Relationships with adults Boys and girls are different Masturbation The fears and anxieties of adults The fears and anxieties of teenagers First relationships Love and romance Readiness for sex Contraception Personal safety Essential messages for parents to emphasise The impact of teenage sexuality on the family The parent's own sexuality Boundaries and limits Sex in the home Unsuitable relationships Lone parents Step-families Risky behaviour The nature of adolescence Sexual risks Teenage pregnancy Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) HIV/AIDS Assault, rape and exposure to violence The parent's response Sexual orientation The process of choosing sexual orientation Finding out that your teenager is gay or lesbian Sex and the law The age of consent Confidentiality Sexual abuse The parent's role The generation gap Managing conflict between parents Communication Index

Adjusting to the changes in your children as they grow is often difficult. Coping with the change from child to sexual person can be the toughest one yet. How can I talk about sex without becoming embarrassed? How do I protect him/her from pregnancy and disease? They think my values are just old-fashioned, I think theirs are naïve - who's right? Dr John Coleman provides parents and carers with clear and helpful advice on these and many related issues, based on his long experience of working with young people and their families. Illustrated by real-life situations and filled with practical solutions, each chapter also provides details of organisations that can help and other sources of information. An invaluable source of advice for all families, this book will also be useful to teachers, nurses and other professionals working with young people. Anne Weyman, OBE, Chief Executive of the Family Planning Association, has written the Foreword to the book. "This excellent and comprehensive book will inform and reassure parents and carers about sex and young people. Many adults find the topic difficult and embarrassing; John Coleman, in clear and direct language, covers topics such as bodily changes, relationships, personal safety, risky behaviour, sexual orientation, sex and the law and the roles of parents and schools. The book will prove invaluable for those adults with a responsibility for young people." Doreen E. Massey (Baroness Massey of Darwen)

"..provides straightforward tips and hints.." (Young People Now, December 2001) "...we believe this book can be a useful guide for many parents, but also teachers and even teenagers, who want to take a peek." (Int Jnl of Adolescent Medical Health, Vol.14, No.2, 2002) "This is a book that understands what the problems actually are, and goes a long way to being an aid to finding ways to overcome them." (Young Minds Magazine, May/June 2002) "...We believe this book can be a useful guide for parents as well as teachers and even teenagers..." (Int Jnl of Adolescent Medical Health, Vol.14, No.2, 2002) "...I would happily recommend the book, to any parents who are having difficulties with their teenagers..." (BACHH News, Summer 2002)  “…a practical, easy-to-read, down-to-earth guide…a valuable and reassuring guide…” (Jnl of Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol 8(1)) “…provides the latest information and advice…ideal guide for parents, teachers and anyone who works with young people…” (Stress News, April 2004)

About the Author Foreword by Anne Weyman, OBE (Chief Executive, Family Planning Association) Introduction Puberty Bodily changes in girls Bodily changes in boys The age of puberty The emotional consequences of puberty Periods Wet dreams Is puberty starting earlier than in previous generations? Learning about sex Schools Parents Society Friends The media Communication Sexual development in early adolescence The need for privacy Relationships with adults Boys and girls are different Masturbation The fears and anxieties of adults The fears and anxieties of teenagers First relationships Love and romance Readiness for sex Contraception Personal safety Essential messages for parents to emphasise The impact of teenage sexuality on the family The parent's own sexuality Boundaries and limits Sex in the home Unsuitable relationships Lone parents Step-families Risky behaviour The nature of adolescence Sexual risks Teenage pregnancy Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) HIV/AIDS Assault, rape and exposure to violence The parent's response Sexual orientation The process of choosing sexual orientation Finding out that your teenager is gay or lesbian Sex and the law The age of consent Confidentiality Sexual abuse The parent's role The generation gap Managing conflict between parents Communication Index