Parents and Teens

Parents and Teens: Connections with Impact

These video clips and training resources were created after hearing from teens across Wisconsin. The teens were participating in focus groups as a part of a statewide initiative to learn about how parents, other adults and teachers are influencing teens to avoid risky sexual behavior. One consistent message heard from teens was that they wanted to be able to have open communication with their parents. They wanted to feel listened to and wanted to learn from the real lives of their parents. They talked about the struggle to be the person they want to be in the midst of many pressures. They also wanted their family life to be a safe place to talk, to learn and test healthy limits, and to find unconditional acceptance.

Training Resources

Parents and Teens Facilitators Guide

Parents and Teens PowerPoint

Video Clips

Part 1: INFORMATION and EXAMPLES.

Part 2: EXPERIENCES and ATTITUDE.

Part 3: RULES AND CONSEQUENCES and GRACE.

Part 4: Conversations about Sexuality.

The titles of the segments refer to a common pattern that emerged in the interviews with teens and their parents.

To influence someone, we need to impact two areas:

1. Their knowledge about the choice—through
   • INFORMATION we give
   • EXAMPLES we set, and
   • EXPERIENCES that relate


2. Their will to make the choice-by
   
   • communicating a positive ATTITUDE about their ability and character,
   • holding to RULES AND CONSEQUENCES, and
   • embodying the GRACE of staying connected with them.

Use this program to:

1. Inspire conversation among parents and other adults who care for teens
2. Engage teens in reflecting on the parent-child relationship
3. Guide families in purposefully creating their communication patterns

For questions about this information, contact Emily S. Holder (608) 267-9170

Last updated on 2/18/2009 3:21:17 PM