Baby Think It Over is the latest secular approach to discourage teenage sexual behavior.  Students are required to care for an anatomically correct  baby computerized to demonstrate an unpredictable nature.  It cries at unpredictable times.  Students have to insert a key in order to soothe the baby.  If they get rough with the baby a microprocessor records what happened.  Many schools have adopted the: Baby Think It Over program.  Although this approach does help kids to “think it over”, there is no convincing evidence that it delays their sexual behavior.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy concluded that teens’ own sexual beliefs, values, attitudes and intentions are the most strongly related to their sexual behavior… not the kind of they get in school.  Where do teens learned their beliefs, values, attitudes and intentions about sex?  Primarily, in their homes. 

Parents play the major role in the moral education of their children.  This makes the pregnancy of TV star, Jamie Lynn Speer and important teachable moment for the alert parent.  However, sexual values and attitudes begin to be learned at a much earlier age than parents assume.

This is why I am stressing the importance of beginning a child sex education as soon as they can talk.  In my book,Teaching Your Children the Truth About Sex, I stress the importance of carrying on a lifelong dialogue with your child.  I identify for parents several teachable moments in the child’s growth and development and model for them conversations they can have with their children.  The earlier this dialogue begins, the greater the likelihood it will shape the child’s beliefs, attitudes and values about sex.  You can learn more about my Parents First on my website: www.drdobbins.com.