When superstars like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber speak out about sex, kids and teens pay attention. Here's how parents can use their messages as fodder for their own 'sex talks' with kids.
Can celebrities teach your son or daughter about safe sexsexually transmitted diseasesGood Morning America
Lady Gaga: Latex Fashion Statement
No one makes an entrance quite like Lady Gaga, who appeared on Good Morning AmericaGMAcondom
Justin Bieber: All You Need Is Love
When Justin Bieber (shown with Selena Gomez) recently told Rolling Stoneabstinence
Kesha: The Face of Safe Sex
Pop sensation Kesha — known for her risqué image — is promoting safe sex with limited-edition LifeStyles Condoms featuring her famously made-up face. She’s distributing the condoms to crowds on her 2011 tour from a cannon that usually shoots confetti and glitter. “She’s helping spread the message that everyone, even party girls, should have safe sex,” says Belisa Vranich, PsyD, a clinical psychologist who specializes in sex and relationships. “Parents often hold the mistaken belief that talking about sex with their children encourages it, but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” adds Murphy. “And if you think a celebrity’s image is too sexualized or their behavior too promiscuous
Kelly Osbourne: Do Test, Do Tell
Kelly Osbourne de-stigmatized sexually transmitted disease testing in 2008 when she candidly confessed to getting regularly screened for STDs. She has also revealed that she saw a condom for the first time at age 7 when they were distributed for free at her father’s concerts. When she asked what they were, her mom explained without hesitation. It’s never too early to have age-appropriate conversations about sex, says Murphy. Having such conversations as often as necessary over the years makes you more approachable than waiting to go into a room for “the big talk” and exhaling a sigh of relief when the conversation is over, she says.
Bristol Palin: Bouncing Back From an Unplanned Pregnancy
Bristol Palin entered the national stage with an unplanned pregnancy at age 16 shortly after her mother was chosen as the Republican vice presidential candidate in the 2008 election. When a stint on Dancing with the StarsJersey ShoreGood Morning Americausing protection