What’s the best way to start a conversation with my parents about sex?

Starting a conversation can be the hardest part. Some parents are awkward about bringing it up so you may have to start the conversation yourself. Your parent, pastor and doctor are more likely to tell you the truth. Your friends are not good sources of information. They make talk a big game but they don't know as much as they pretend to know. If you start looking for information about sex on the internet you will end up getting onto a porn website pretty fast. But I'm sure you have already been exposed to porn by accident or on purpose.

Here are some tips to help you out:

• Try using a magazine article or TV show to start talking about sex more generally. Then you can work your way up to the stuff that’s more personal to you.

• If you feel more comfortable communicating through email, text, or IM, go for it. It doesn’t matter how you talk — just talk.

• Give your parents a heads-up that you want to talk. Say something like, “Can we have a private talk tonight?” That way you can be sure to have their full attention, and they know to take it seriously.

• Break the ice with something like, “This feels weird for me to talk about, and it may be for you, too, but I want to ask about …” Acknowledging the awkwardness can actually help make it go away.

• Think of questions you want to ask, and maybe even write them down first. You could ask them about what their parents taught them about sex, how to know when you’re in love, how to know when to have sex, and how to protect yourself from pregnancy and STDs.

• Tell them why you’re asking. Is it to try to understand what they expect from you? Is it to get some information? Is it to help you make a decision, or help a friend make a decision? Telling them why will stop them from making assumptions.