Why is sex such a taboo topic to talk about with American parents?

Question

As far as I know, American parents always keep themselves from talking about sex, but then their daugthers get pregnant. Why so?

I have a blast by reading all of the answers. But that's what I observe as a non-American living in the American society. In Europe the subject of sex is so open. Even pictures of naked women or men, or even teenagers, are exposed everywhere. Esp. for teenagers, it will be considered as child pornography in the States; that's what I read on "der Spiegel," Germany's political magazine. Interesting!
By the way, I'm neither American, Latina or European.

Answer 1

Think of where the citizens origionally came from... and why. Mainly to have freedom of religeon. Mostly Catholic or Protestant (which has roots in Catholicism) and the power of the chruch. I wont go into that topic.
This is a problem that the children have to solve. Confront parents about sexual issues. Pin them down. Think of open questions that cannot be answered yes or no. (how old should I be before having sex? How will I know I am ready, How did YOU know when you were ready?)
Ask specific questions. Don't let the parent off the hook and don't accept a 'book or video' as an answer.
(What causes pregnancy? kissing? How can I avoid getting pregnant (besides not having sex). What is XXXX sex? (XXXX represents various sexual activities I will not list as they are not relevent and should not be discussed in a forum where there could be children that are not my own and if they dont know what the XXXX could stand for, they don't need to know at this time)
Use the proper terms when asking.. intercourse, penis, vagina, or words parents are comfortable with.. willie, muffin, pee-pee (the medical terms or euphimisms are easier for parents to accept, and get on with providing an open and honest answer, rather than being embarrassed or uncomfortable in discussing sex with thier children.
(I have a 22 year old neice who is a virgin, she will be a virgin at 32, 42, 52, 62, after which time i will probally be long dead and thoughly decomoposed, and when she gets married and or has children, it will be a miracle, akin to the birth of Christ.) I'll keep telling myself that until i die. She knows about sex, the hows, whys, etc. is in university and knows the phychology of sex, but..(refer back to above comments)

And!!!!!!!!!! This is a biggie! Be open with parents. About smoking, drinking, kissing, talk to them regularly. involve parents in your life. Then answering these questions will be less of an issue.
Children seem to exclude parents from thier lives, until needed. Parents are not a convience, they are parents so keep them involved in your life.

Answer 2

It's difficult for many parents to think of their children as sexual beings. They have a hard time putting away the image of a child. It doesn't help that sex has been glorified in the media so it's difficult to make a short, effective conversation out of the subject. However, the pregnancy issue is more than a matter of not discussing the subject. The kids make the decision to have sex (regardless of whether they are ready and how much they've been told of the dangers).
This really isn't a problem exclusive to Americans though. The US happens to be an attention grabber though, so that's why it may seem to be more of a problem (statistics require people actually responding and giving honest answers).

Answer 3

You need to do some research and ask alot of American parents before asking such a profound question. I dont think you are too accurate. The people I know are not as you claim. I am an American so I have mostly American friends and I am old enough to think I know better about what you think you know. I also know that American daughters become pregnant. Good Grief

Answer 4

I have a question in response. People aren't like that everywhere else? I'm not liking the way American's treat the topic of sex as taboo but I thought that was a global awkwardness. Tell me where you are from and the topic of sex is treated between parents and their children. I'm willing to learn a better way!!!!

Answer 5

I think it is the individual not Americans in general.My parents would not have dreamed of any such discussion. My Mom spelled sex until I was 16. I did not want my children growing up ignorant so I have always been very open with them on all subjects.

Answer 6

It's an interesting topic, to be sure. Did you know that the US has a higher teen pregnancy rate than more secular (less religious) nations, because we don't offer the same sexual education? The only way to keep children from becoming pregnant or getting STDs is to tell them how not to- "don't have sex ever" is obviously not working.

Answer 7

Because parents assume that if they are talking about it to their kids they are actually condoning it. Truth is they need to learn that if they don't open their mouths to their kids then the kids' zippers open and they learn the hard way, unfortunately. I am a firm believer that you should teach your child about sex before they go to school. This way if there is a chance that someone is going to molest your child they know well in advance to come tell you.

Answer 8

Because some parents becoome queezy talking about this with a child. The girls get pregnate because not all the protection works except for none at all.

Answer 9

It is always awkward, no matter where you live, to talk about sex to your children, especially the fathers. This is not an American problem alone. What made you think it was?

Answer 10

In my family's case it was something you didn't talk about it and if you didn't talk about it then there was nothing to worry about. That's probably why my mother was a teenager when she was pregnant with me. If it's something you can't talk about then you have to find out some way. That's what she told me anyway.