Dear Reader,

Health care providers, including nurses, pediatricians, social workers, and health educators, care about the well-being of their patients, clients, and/or students, and are often trusted by them. Therefore, it is not uncommon for questions about sexuality and sexual health to arise in these interactions. As with most adults, providers have different comfort levels when talking about sexuality. Some may be embarrassed and uncomfortable having these discussions; others are comfortable bringing up information and answering questions that patients have. Realize that just because someone is a health care provider does not mean that s/he has specialized or additional training in sexuality education.

Sexuality education is a lifelong process that begins at birth. Since some pediatricians have an ongoing relationship with their young patients throughout childhood, they are in a unique position to address age-appropriate sexuality issues. Parents may want to discuss their values with their child's pediatrician or other health care provider so that the messages about sexuality are consistent. When discussing sexuality and sexual health with school age children, providers may talk about reproductive anatomy, how the body works, puberty, body changes, and feelings that they may be experiencing now or will be having in the future. With older adolescents, discussions of sexual behavior, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and contraception are appropriate. Conversations emphasizing sexual abuse prevention skills are also common. Discussions with pediatricians or other health care providers can also educate parents about children's growth and development and what to expect. Parents can then follow up with discussions with their children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is one of the few organizations whose policy statements address the issue of health care providers talking with children about sexuality issues. One statement, "Sexuality Education for Children and Adolescents," specifically discusses the pediatrician's role in providing sexuality education.

While some providers may talk with young children individually in an office or clinic, they may also offer sexuality education to young people in the school setting. Depending upon the type of sexuality education that children receive in school, if at all, a provider might be invited to talk with a group or class of students. If this is the case, parents may want to talk with the teacher or principal before a health care provider speaks to a class, to find out about his or her background, training, approach, and goals.

Other resources that may be helpful include:

Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Kindergarten — 12th Grade, a publication from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). This identifies developmentally appropriate messages related to sexuality issues. Designed as a framework to assist local communities in developing new sexuality education curricula or assessing existing programs, it can also be used as a guide for parents and health care providers.