Adolesence is a very difficult age for both parents and children to deal with. For parents, because they have to deal with the issue of explaining sex and sexuality, which is very awkward and embarrassing for most parents not only in India but other countries too. For children, they are discovering their sexuality and changing needs of their body and they do not know, where to find answers to their Q. It is always difficult and seemingly "unknown territory" for a parent to talk to a child about HIV/AIDS, but it is absolutely necessary. Kids don't learn that much about the infection and other STI's through school, and most of what they learn is from peers. However, learning from peers can often result in the transfer of incomplete and/or wrong information, which can greatly frighten children.
The best way to deal with these issues is to address the issue head on at appropriate times (appropriate ages, which can be from as early as age 8), especially when you may feel that your child may be talking about such topics with friends. Research the topic yourself before speaking to him/her, to show that you are knowledgeable about the issue.
Other more subtle ways to make sure that your children are not receiving false information would be to direct him/her to sites which explain more or to this forum, where you can be sure that questions will be answered.
For more information, feel free to visit the site below:
http://www.talkingwithkids.org/aids.html
Hope this helps!
-Your friends at Maitri
