Talking, The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Talking is power.

Finding the perfect holiday gift for our loved ones can be a stressful and time-consuming endeavor. It’s tempting to think that the best presents are those we've bought after much deliberation and having survived long lines—but what if, instead of putting the emphasis on traditional giving this year, we take a different approach? What if we give the gift of deep conversation this holiday season? What if we shared all of the possibilities that exist when we all harness our power to decide?

Young adults entering college and the professional world are full of expectations which can easily get sidetracked. Despite having big dreams and goals, it’s easy to lose track and forget that they actually control their own fate. So this holiday season, we’d love for you—the mentor, the parent, or the trusted adult— to initiate important conversations with young adults around their sexual health.

It is no exaggeration that having the power to decide your future, including the use of birth control, has had a profound effect on the lives of women throughout the U.S. Here are a just few gifts birth control has given us:

• A dramatic increase in women graduating from college
• Increased rates of women pursuing and finishing graduate studies
• And a record number of women serving as Fortune 500 CEOs

These conversations are critical and provide an opportunity that could very well change a young person’s life course.

We believe that all young people should have the opportunity to pursue the future they've envision for themselves. The young people in your life want you to jumpstart these important conversations. Think about it, the best gift you ever received probably isn't something your loved one had to stand in hours to buy—but instead, quality time and intentional conversation that led to you making better choices for your future. Information regarding a young person’s sexual health, including the variety of contraceptive methods available (sometimes even delivered directly to your doorstep), is a critical component of this effort.

This holiday season, give the gift of conversations that keep on giving.