Unexpected Can Help You Talk with Your Teens About Sex, Love and Relationships
Celebrate "Let’s Talk" Month with these conversation-starters.
TLC
By: Cat McKay
October is “Let’s Talk” Month — a great time to open up that all-important and sometimes awkward conversation with your teens about sex, pregnancy, birth control and the relationships in which it all happens. It’s a perfect time to watch Season 6 of TLC’s Unexpected with your young people, and use the show as a starting point to discuss how they might handle similar situations in their own lives.
To help get the conversation started, the experts at Power to Decide have put together some insights and questions inspired by each young couple’s emotional journey with pregnancy and parenthood this season. For the sixth consecutive season, Power to Decide is proud to collaborate with TLC’s Unexpected to bring information and resources to viewers that relate to what’s happening onscreen, because #TalkingIsPower.
Season 6 of Unexpected offered a wealth of emotional moments that can help you talk with the young people in your life about the importance of trust and communication in relationships, and the realities of pregnancy and parenthood. As you re-watch the show or watch for the first time, here are five conversation-starters to try with your teens, inspired by this season:
1. When Plans Don’t Go as Expected
This season highlighted how many couples faced unexpected challenges. Emalee and Nate, for instance, were still getting to know each other when they discovered they were expecting. Similarly, Kayleigh and Graham were caught off guard by Kayleigh’s pregnancy. Fact: Condoms are 98% effective with perfect use; and 87% effective with typical use.
Conversation-Starter:
What makes a partner easy to communicate with? How might unexpected situations, like an unplanned pregnancy, change your future plans? How do you think you would handle it?
2. The Impact of Big Decisions on Relationships
The season highlighted how significant life events can really test relationships. Emalee was concerned about Nate’s ability to support her after their son, Westley, was born, and Jenna faced struggles with her ex, Aden, over custody of Luca. Young people need information and discussions about relationships, and how to build and earn trust.
Conversation-Starter:
How do you think major decisions, such as pregnancy and parenthood, affect the course of relationships? What qualities help a relationship get through those challenges?
3. Making Difficult Choices
Aniyah faced a tough decision when she learned she had COVID-19 and could only have one person with her during delivery. Choosing her mom meant Dakwon couldn’t be present for the birth of their son, Aniyis, which put a strain on their relationship.
Conversation-Starter:
When facing a difficult choice like this one, how would you have advised Aniyah? What would you have done in a similar situation? Did COVID-19 affect how you make decisions in your relationships?
4. Juggling It All
Lilly and Lawrence had a particularly hectic season as they balanced planning their wedding with raising two children and managing financial stress. Their love for each other was evident, but the demands of daily life made it challenging.
Conversation Starter:
If you were friends with Lilly and Lawrence, what advice would you give them about finding healthy ways to cope with stress and set priorities? What do you think makes it harder or easier to balance relationships, work, and other responsibilities? How do you manage stress when you feel overwhelmed?
5. Looking Ahead
As Season 6 concludes, many of the couples face uncertain futures. Will Jenna stay in Myrtle Beach, or will she be forced to move back to Pennsylvania? Can Emalee and Nate's relationship survive the pressures of new parenthood? And how will Aniyah and Dakwon navigate their evolving relationship?
Conversation-Starter:
How do the young couples rely on their support systems during challenging times? When the future feels uncertain, how do you stay focused on your goals? What support do you need from others to stay on track?
Season 6 of Unexpected provided so many opportunities for discussion about critical topics that affect young lives. Watching the show with your teens can be a great way to open up much-needed conversations about birth control, healthy relationships, and planning for the future. For more resources and tips on how to get started, visit PowerToDecide.org/Unexpected.
Keep the dialogue going by joining the conversation with @PowerToDecide, @TLC, #Unexpected, and #TalkingIsPower!
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