Healthy Relationships Utah Teens
July 2021
TEEN TALK
Dating
Being in a relationship with someone you care about is exciting. We all want to do everything we can to keep the exciting feelings in our relationships.

Because we enjoy being close to someone and the chemicals in our brains cloud our judgment, it seems like sex is the natural next step to keep the excitement around.
When sex is introduced into a teen relationship, there are risks, both physical and emotional. One of the physical risks of sex could be pregnancy or STDs. STDs are spread via bodily fluids or by skin-to-skin contact.

Often times STDs have no symptoms or aren't recognized. Regular testing is critical for anyone who is sexually active.

The earlier you become sexually active, the more likely you are to have multiple partners and risk getting an STD. This may sound scary but it’s important to be aware of what can happen.

Decide now, as a teenager, so you can enjoy your relationships and keep sex out of the picture until later. Even if you've already been sexually active, you can still decide for the rest of your future.

Make a plan and take touch and time into account. When it comes to touch, what’s okay and not okay? How much and how far? Spending time together is important in a relationship but it is also important to find time for the other important things in your life. How will you make sure that as time goes on, you don’t just slide into sex and risk an unplanned pregnancy or an STD? Once you’ve made a plan, think about how you will explain the it to your current or future partner.

Dating is healthy and exciting! Keeping sex out of it while you're young makes it fun and care free.
RESOURCES
More Information
The following resource gives quick information about different STDs, online resources, and a list of testing sites in Utah.
PARENTING TIP
Talking about Risks and Benefits
Talking about the risks of early sexual activity can seem like the only way to talk to teens about sex.

Research has given us a lot of information about the impact of STDs and teen pregnancies on a person’s life and wellbeing. It is extremely important that teens know the risks and that parents understand how to be a positive influence. It is also a good idea to emphasize the benefits of waiting to introduce sex into a relationship.

Take time to talk with your teen about the decision to enjoy teen relationships without including sex. What are some physical benefits? What are some emotional benefits? How will these decisions help them meet their life goals?
QUOTE CORNER
Quotes About the
Love Notes Curriculum













“I’ve taken things a lot slower in my current relationship. My old relationships used to be physical and then I would ghost the girl I was seeing. I’ve decided to take my time with my current relationship. It matters to me”.
-Male participant

“Knowing about STDs will keep me safe and healthy. I can prevent myself from getting one. We can educate others.”
–Female participant
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Funding for this program was provided by the OPA Grant: TP1AH000232. Additional support was provided by Utah State University Extension. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the presenters/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders. Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination, including harassment. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see