Are You In a Healthy Relationship?

In light of the Chris Brown/Rihanna incident and the alleged reports of violence, we’d like to take an opportunity to post a short questionnaire for you to evaluate your own romantic relationship.

Remember that people in relationships can be hurt in a variety of ways: physically, verbally, emotionally, and sexually. Threats, intimidation, and the use of force to get a partner to comply are NEVER OK.

Check your relationship to see if it’s healthy:

Do you and your partner…

1. Talk openly about your feelings and tell the truth without fear?
2. Listen to each other’s feelings and ideas?
3. Work together to solve problems and disagreements?
4. Have friends, interests, and activities of your own, and ones you share?
5. Respect each other’s privacy?
6. Communicate respectfully?
7. Talk openly about your sexual needs/desires?
8. Protect each other from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections?
9. Always have each other’s consent for sex?
10. Help take care of each other?
11. Have disagreements without becoming violent?
12. Respect each other’s belongings?

If you answered YES to these questions, it looks like your relationship is happy and healthy. If you answered NO to some or all of these questions, you may want to reevaluate your relationship and whether it is the best thing for you. Remember that healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, honesty and a genuine concern for the other person’s well-being.

If you find yourself in a violent or abusive relationship, there is help available. Please contact your local Planned Parenthood of Delaware 1-800-230-PLAN or the community resources listed below:

Kent/Sussex Domestic Violence Hotline 302-422-8058

NCC Domestic Violence Hotline 302-762-6110

Rape Crisis CONTACT Services
NCC 302-761-9100
Rape Crisis CONTACT Services 1-800-262-9800

Celebrate National Condom Week!

Click here to view some funny video clips about condoms, brought to you by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and remember to celebrate National Condom Week (February 14-21) by lovin’ safely with condoms every time!

Wrappin' It Up For V-Day!

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we’re posting the Steps To Correctly Using A Condom, so that you’re lovin’ safely this holiday. Remember that condoms are highly effective at reducing the risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections (STDs/STIs) and pregnancy, if used CORRECTLY and CONSISTENTLY, every time!

1. Check the expiration date (expired condoms are more likely to break)
2. Check for the air bubble in the package (air bubble = sealed package)
3. Carefully open package (no teeth please…)
4. Check which way it rolls down (it only rolls down one way remember)
5. Squeeze the air out of the tip of the condom to leave room for the semen/cum
6. Place on erect penis and roll all the way to the base
7. Have sex…enjoy yourself!
8. After ejaculation and before the penis goes soft, hold the condom on the penis and pull out (so the condom doesn’t go missing inside of your partner...)
9. Gently slide it off, taking care to keep the semen inside of the condom
10. Discard in the trash (…not the toilet! Be kind to the plumbers of the world.)
11. And if you’re up for it…use a new condom for the next sexual experience!

Planned Parenthood wishes you a safe and enjoyable Valentine's Day!

Virginity Pledges Aren’t Working

A study released in December 2008 reports that pledging virginity until marriage makes no difference on whether teens engage in premarital sex.

The study found that more than half of all teenagers become sexually active before marriage regardless of whether they pledge virginity until marriage or not. Unfortunately, the study also found that those who took virginity pledges were less likely to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy than teens who never took the pledge in the first place.

Although proponents of abstinence-only education criticize the results, it seems that this study has validated the importance of comprehensive sexuality education in schools today. Comprehensive sex ed includes information on sexually transmitted diseases, birth control options and safer sex practices, which is much more effective in allowing teens to make safer decisions.

With half of all teenagers engaging in sexual activity it seems prudent and responsible to provide them with valuable information about preventing STDs and pregnancy. If anything, all teenagers should have the right to access accurate healthcare information in order to make responsible decisions about their sexual health.


Source: The News Journal - Dec 29, 2008