Seeing the uncertain responses of his adult audience, Mr Allan Chan, Deputy Director of HPB’s Programme Outreach to Secondary Schools and Junior Colleges, stressed that parents must arm themselves with correct knowledge about sexual health as well as talk to their children about these issues. He emphasised, “There is no evidence to show that talking to young people about sex and sexuality will result in increased sexual experience.”

In fact, studies in other countries “have shown that parent-child communication about sexuality issues can have positive effects such as moderating negative peer pressure and enhancing the effectiveness of school-based sexuality curricula.”

Strong parent-child communication was the crux of the message at the entire Convention, which centred on the theme, “Being There For Your Kids: Parents, Schools and Community”. Keynote speaker Ms Claire Chiang tackled this in her address. What does “being there” mean to her 13-year old son Ren Chun, she wondered. When she asked him, he replied,

“It means parents and teachers allowing kids to grow in their own way - with guidance when needed and giving them the assurance that when they have problems or meet with failure, parents and teachers are always there to pick them up without belittling them and pressurising them.”

“I’m sure this is what all parents and teachers have to struggle with,” said Ms Chiang. The parent of a daughter and two sons, she struck a chord with the audience as she shared the lessons and values that sustained her family even as she has juggled the demands of a high-profile career (including current position as the Managing Director of Banyan Tree Holdings’ Retail Operations), academic work and public service as a Nominated Member of Parliament (1997-2001).

The sessions that followed Ms Chiang’s address covered various facets of youth life such as teenage sexuality and dating, mental well-being, blogging and cybergaming, inhalant abuse and financial management. The Convention was an opportunity for parents and educators to learn and discuss the issues that children face in today’s world beyond textbooks and test papers.

Besides the HPB presentation mentioned above, a subsequent break-out session further explored the subject of sexuality education. Social workers from Yishun Centre and Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centres spoke about how parents could imbibe in their children sound values in sexuality matters. Mr Chan also revealed that HPB will launch a new programme in December to provide parents with the know-how and skills to talk to their children about sex without frightening or alienating them.

Meanwhile, Mr Poh Yeang Cherng of Touch Community Services gave an action-packed presentation on the wired generation. Showing clips from popular games like World of Warcraft and MapleStory, Mr Poh talked about their potential for addictiveness and the need for parents to manage their children’s exposure to them. For example, he suggested that parents engage their children in “real-life interests” and encourage them to do other things that they enjoy and are good at.

Many parents were touched by Ms Claire Chiang's sharing of how she copes with the challenges of parenting as a busy careerwoman.

For the parents who took a Saturday off for the convention, it was an eye-opening as well as enlightening time. “To talk or not to talk” was the choice confronting Mdm Christina Ang after the HPB presentation. But the mother of two daughters acknowledged, after hearing out Mr Chan, “I realise I do need to share.”

Mdm Joan Soong, whose son attends St. Gabriel’s Secondary, found much relevance in the morning’s line-up. “The issues that were discussed are today’s issues.” Ms Chiang’s address moved her especially. “It’s very heart-warming to hear that she goes through the same challenges we face as parents, for example Mother Tongue worries and the pressure for academic results.”

Concurring, Mdm Renu Asokan’s take-home message was, “not to be afraid of being honest - I think that’s what will really ring true for your child because you don’t have to pretend to be what you are not.” The mother of a Sec 3 boy at St. Gabriel’s Secondary, Mdm Asokan also welcomed Ms Chiang’s point “not to be so kiasu about results and look at the progress instead.” What’s important, she believes, is that parents are ultimately able to “celebrate the little victories and motivate their children to do more.”