Sexual and Reproductive Health for Teens

www.4girls.gov
A great site for pre-teen girls.

www.birdsandbees.org
Great site developed by Pro Choice Resources and their Birds and Bees Health Education Program - includes local Minneapolis, MN information.

www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
Go Ask Alice - another chance for you to ask questions and get real live answers

www.itsyoursexlife.com
It's Your (Sex) Life has great infomation as well as current news related to sexual health.

www.mysistahs.org
A Website by and for young women of color.

www.saynotyet.org
Good abstinence information.

www.scarleteen.com
"Sex education for the real world" in a sassy format.

www.sxetc.org
This is a great website with information on sex and lots more. Run by teens & health education professionals.

www.teenwire.com
Planned Parenthood's site for teens.

Abortion

www.feministcampus.org
The world's largest pro-choice student network.

www.gynpages.com/
National Abortion Federation site with abortion clinics and other reproductive health info

www.prochoice.org
The National Abortion Federation website.

Adoption

www.adoptionhelp.org
Independent Adoption Center general information for birth parents

www.chsm.com
Children's Home Society of Minnesota

www.mnadopt.org
Minnesota Adoption Resource Network

Alcohol and Other Drugs

www.intheknowzone.com
A hip website with a lot of drug information.

www.drugabuse.gov
Information from the government about drugs.

Birth Control

www.contraception.net
Information on birth control methods

www.ultimatebirthcontrol.com
Ann Rose is like your wise birth control fairy godmother!

www.plannedparenthood.org
Lots of accurate information about birth control.

Emergency Contraception Info:

Eating Disorders

www.eatingdisorderinfo.org
This website has useful background about eating disorders and how to get help.

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
More information on the prevention of eating disorders.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender information sites:

www.dist202.org
District 202 is a center in Minneapolis created by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their friends.

www.pflag.org
PFLAG stands for Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. It is a national nonprofit organization that promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy.

www.glsen.org
GLSEN stands for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, and is a national organization that brings together teachers, parents, students and concerned citizens to work together to end homophobia in our schools.

Mental Health

www.mentalhealthmn.org
The Mental health Assoc. of MN website.

www.suicidepreventionlifeline
Provides immediate assistance to individuals in a suicidal crisis.

www.nrscrisisline.org
The National Runaway Switchboard provides options and support for youth in crisis.

www.nostigma.com
This site offers information about mental health problems and seeking help.

www.teen-depression.info
Website for teen depression information.

Pregnancy

www.acog.org
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

www.safeplacefornewborns.com
To prevent abandonment of babies.

www.childbirth.org
A lot of helpful information about pregnancy and childbirth.

www.dona.org
Doulas of North America website - a Doula is a prefessional childbirth helper for mom.

www.modimes.org
March of Dimes' web site for more information. Look under "Pregnancy & Newborn."

Relationships

www.teenadvice.org
Teen run advice line

www.loveisnotabuse.com
Interactive site on relationships for teens. Includes quizzes and information on helping yourself or a friend.

www.harriettubman.org
Harriet Tubman Center Minneapolis - a center providing help for abused women and their children.

Sexually Transmitted Infections/Diseases

www.health.state.mn.us
The MN Department of Health

www.kff.org/youthHIVSTDS
The Kaiser Family Foundation HIV & STD information

www.cdc.gov/nchs
The Center for Disease Control, National Center for Health Statistics

www.iwannaknow.org
A great resource for STIs.

Planned Parenthood
More sexual health resources.

Social Action

Writing a report? Check out these resources for Minnesota and the United States

www.cdf-mn.org
Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota.

www.moappp.org
The Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting . Information and statistics on teen pregnancy, prevention efforts, and on sexual activity in Minnesota.

National

www.teenpregnancy.org
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Their web site has information on teen pregnancy and effective national prevention efforts.

www.agi-usa.org
The Alan Guttmacher Institute, a non - profit corporation for reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education. Their site has up-to-date information on teen pregnancy and sexual activity in the "Youth" section.

www.childtrends.org
Child Trends, Inc., a nonprofit research organization that studies children, youth and families. They have national statistics on teen pregnancy, including teen birth and abortion data from the past 25+ years.

www.advocatesforyouth.org
Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and promoting policies which help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. They provide information, training, and advocacy to youth-serving organizations, policy makers, and the media in the U.S. and internationally.

www.siecus.org
SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States) a national organization focused on reproductive health and choices

FOR PARENTS

www.theantidrug.com
A national organization supporting parents.

www.reducetheuse.org
A local school district's parent support program to help them decrease young people's use of chemicals.

www.kidshealth.org
An informative site about many topics.

www.shouldertoshoulderminnesota.org
The U of MN program that helps parents understand their teens.

www.talingwithkids.org
The Kaiser Family Foundation site that offers tips & techniques for talking with kids about tough topics.

www.advocatesforyouth.org
Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and promoting policies which help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. They provide information, training, and advocacy to youth-serving organizations, policy makers, and the media in the U.S. and internationally.

www.siecus.org
SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States) a national organization focused on reproductive health and choices

BOOKS TO READ

Here are lists of books for parents, kids and youth that provide more information about growing up and sexuality. Look for them at your local library or bookstore.

We recommend that you preview the information before reading it to your child. Make sure you approve of the amount of information, sense of humor and pictures!

For Young Children

Bellybuttons Are Navels Mark Schoen, 1990. This is a story of a young brother and sister taking a bath together and pointing out their body parts by their correct names. This book will help parents teach their young children correct terms for their body parts including: clitoris, penis, vulva, testicles and anus.

Daddy's Roommate Michael Willhoitte, 1990
This is a story of a young boy who talks about his dad and his dad's roommate and all of the fun things they do together as a family.

Did the Sun Shine Before You Were Born? Sol and Judith Gordon, 1992.
This book explains everything from conception to birth. Intended for children ages 3-7.

How You Were Born Joanna Cole, 1993.
This book is designed to tell children about birth in simple terms. Using colorful photographs, it can be read to children or pictures can be discussed.

Is Your Family Like Mine? Lois Abramchik, 1993
This book is about a young girl who has two Moms. This book depicts multicultural friendships and explores family diversity.

It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families Robie H. Harris, 1999
This book is intended for children ages 6-9. It is narrated by a curious bird and embarrassed bee, it reads like an adventure story. Your kids (and you) will laugh and smile as they learn about their bodies and where babies come from.

What’s The Big Secret: Talking About Sex with Girls and Boys Laurie Kresney-Brown and Marc Brown, 1997
This is a book for children ages 5-10, about anatomy, masturbation, privacy and pregnancy.

Where Did I Come From? Peter Mayle, 1977
This book uses humor and bright illustrations to explain anatomy, intercourse, orgasm, fertilization, pregnancy and birth to children.

Where Do Babies Come From? Angela Royston, 1996
This book is helpful when discussing pregnancy and birth with very young children ages 3 and up.

Your Body Belongs to You Teri Weidner and Cornelia Maude Spelman, 1997
This book explains what children can say or do if someone touches their body and they do not want to be touched. It is for children ages 4-8.

For Older Children, Pre-Teens and Teens

The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls, 1998 American Girl Library
A wonderful resource for every 7 - 14 year old girl.

Changing Bodies, Changing Lives Ruth Bell, 1998
This book includes information on contraception, STD's, relationships, masturbation, sexual orientation, pregnancy, rape, and communication with parents and friends. Intended for adolescents ages 13 and older.

Deal with It! A Whole New Approach to Your Body, Brain, and Life as a Gurl Esther Drill, Heather Mcdonald and Rebecca Odes, 1999
This book as a comprehensive guide for most questions adolescent girls have in a hip format. It uses practical no-nonsense style with humor and wit to really answer tough questions.

It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Sex and Sexual Health Robie H. Harris, 1996
Accurate information about sexuality is presented in a reader-friendly style that includes age-appropriate illustrations and humor. From conception and puberty to contraception and HIV/AIDS, it covers both the biological and psychological aspects of sexuality, It is intended for children ages 10 and up, and is a valuable resource for adults.

Period LoAnn Loulan and Bonnie Worthen, 2001
Illustrated with drawings, this book addresses the changes that girls experience as they mature. Emphasizing that we are all unique and special, it explains physical changes during puberty. Includes parents' guide. Intended for children ages 8 and older.

The Guy Book: An Owner's Manual Mavis Jukes, 2002
This book provides information for boys on the changes that occur during puberty and offers advice on sexual topics, nutrition, drugs, girls and more. For Parents

Why Do They Act That Way: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen, David Walsh, Ph.D., 2004
New brain research explains why teens are the way they are, and what parents can do to help guide them through those years of rapid growth and development.

Beyond The Big Talk: Every Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Teens- From Middle to High School and Beyond Debra Haffner, 2001
This book is the sequel to From Diapers to Dating: A Parents Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Youth.

“But How Did I Get There in the First Place?” Talking to Your Young Child About Sex Deborah Roffman, 2002
This book is for parents who want to talk with their young children about sexuality.

Does AIDS Hurt? Marcia Quackenbush, 1992
This handbook explains basic information about HIV/AIDS. It uses age appropriate language and offers sensible advice to help children understand the virus and subsequent diseases.

The Family Guide to Sex and Relationships Richard Walker, Ph.D., McMillan Publishing, 1996

Field Guide to the American Teenager: A Parent’s Companion: Appreciating the Teenager You Live With Michael Riera and Joseph Di Prisco, Perseus Books Group, 2000.

From Diapers to Dating: A Parent's Guide to Raising Sexually Heatlhy Youth Debra Haffner, 2000
This book provides a practical step-by-step program for parents who want to provide accurate sexuality information while communicating their own sexual values to their children.

Get Out of My Life: But First Could You Take Me and Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager Dr. Anthony E. Wolfe; Farrar, Straus, & Giroux Inc., 1991.

Getting Your Kids to Say “No in the ‘90s, When You Said “Yes” in the ‘60s Dr. Victor Strasburger, Simon and Schuster, 1993.
This is out of print, but you may be able to find it at your local library.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, Avon, 1999
Parents as Sexuality Educators: A Selective Bibliography

Keep Talking: A Mother-Daughter Guide to the Pre-Teen Years Lynda Madison, Ph.D., Andrew McMeel Publishing, 1999

Parenting 911: How to Safeguard and Rescue Your 10- to 15-Year-Old from Substance Abuse, Depression, Sexual Encounters, Violence, Failure in School, Danger on the Internet and Other Risky Situations Charlene Gianetti and Margaret Sagarese, Broadway Books, 1999

Saying No is Not Enough: Helping Your Kids Make Wise Decisions About Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Dr. Robert Schwebel, M.D., 1998.

Sex is More than a Plumbing Lesson: A Parent's Guide to Sexuality Education, Infancy through the Teen Years Patty Stark, 1991
This book assists parents in becoming comfortable in the role of sexuality educator, in helping kids feel good about their bodies and train for great relationships, and more, all in an atmosphere of comfortable communication.

Think and Talk About Sex - An Interview with Deborah Roffman (Perseus Books, 2000)
As the title suggests Deborah Hoffman's new book is aimed primarily at parents. She has plenty of ideas about how teachers can help parents educate their children - and win parental support for good school-based programs.

When Sex is the Subject: Attitudes and Answers for Young Children Pamela M. Wilson, 1991.
This is a sensitive and insightful handbook that helps adults communicate positive and reassuring messages to children about sexuality.