For some reason, dads and teenagers always dread conversations about sex the most. But actually, parents must know that this is probably what their children need to stay safe. A new research from North Carolina State University concludes that parents (especially moms) talking with their children about the "birds and the bees" may actually make their children practise safe sex and use condoms.

An analysis of more than 25,314 teenagers over 30 years showed that daughters actually benefit more than sons when parents discuss contraception and dodgy sexual conduct. Communication with parents has a protective effect that may influence adolescents to use contraceptives. Moreover, lead author Laura Widman suggests that parents also need to increase how often they talk with their sons about sex and change the content of the messages about sex that they communicate to boys.

Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos of New York University, who co-authored an editorial published with the results, encourages parents to get engaged and communicate on these issues as it may help delay teen sexual debut. He says that parents often think and believe that other kids are sexually active, but not their own. Ages 11 and 12 are the appropriate ages when parents and children should start having sex talks.

Guilamo-Ramos also suggests that parents should emphasize that the positive things teens hope to gain from sex, such as closeness with a partner and feeling mature and popular are actually false expectations.

On the other hand, Widman clarifies to Reuters by email that sex talks is just but one important factor in helping youth make safer choices. The link between parent communication and teen sexual behaviour is actually relatively small. Other topics such as substance use, peer pressure and a lack of communication about safety between dating partners are also good topics to tackle with young adults.