While the US grapples with the staggering STD numbers in 2008 that 1 in 4 US teen girls has at least one STD a study in Australia last year brings to light that this may be about more than sex.

Dolly magazine, an Australian teen magazine, did a survey in 2007 that shows that the same numbers of girls are unhappy with their bodies and weight. They are interested in plastic surgery; two percent of the girls questioned in the survey had already had elective surgery.

The survey results in relationship to body image are worrisome to Australia. Could it be that our worries in regards to the alarming rate of pregnancies and the rise of STDs relates more to the same issues that worry Australia and other nations?

As teen girls get a bad rap over bad choices do we try to find out the underlying reasons for the choices they make? Better yet, are we working on solutions instead of blame?

When a story appears in the news about the spark in teenage pregnancy or the rise in STDs how do we discuss it with our daughters? Public Service Announcements (PSAs) have been on the rise to encourage parental discussions on sex or HIV/AIDS but the last few years it has been questioned and studied how the PSAs have served the public.

Parents have not been “talking to kids about tough issues” as the campaign was named and as was its purpose. Conversations are shown by parents to be short and only touch on safe sex or abstinence when in relation to HIV/AIDs prevention.

It seems as if we are fearful of their health but not coming to terms with the possibility they could have sex. Here’s the reality, pick up one of the teen magazines, like Dolly in Australia, or any of the comparable ones in the states and you will get an eye opener.

It is time to talk. Disheartening to say the least, Teen magazine is currently running “10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Going All the Way.” It is filled with all the things you should probably be discussing with your daughter. The PSAs should be as forthcoming with topic points and how we wish that Teen magazine advice piece could have been called “10 Things to Discuss with Your Parents Before Going All the Way.”

I’ve racked my brain and don’t remember reading this in Teen magazine in my day. It seems that Teen magazine is reaching young girls, girls younger than we might think this topic applies to. Your 10 to 14 year old could be reading this magazine to get the latest scoop on her favorite teen actor and she's getting sex ed via the media.

It’s time to talk.