May 1, 2000 … May is Prom Month. It is also Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month -- and prom night, with emotions running high and relaxed curfews, can be a night for risky behavior. Breaking the Cycle, Hartford’s strategic campaign for teen pregnancy prevention, has developed the following suggestions for teens and adults to help encourage responsible choices on prom night. The suggestions were developed through conversations with students and adult advisors from the Postponing Sexual Involvement programs at Bulkeley and Hartford Public High Schools.

• Don’t wait until prom night to have the "big talk" with your teen. Communicate often about your values and expectations when it comes to sexuality.
• Discuss ground rules for prom night in advance, including the consequences for unacceptable behavior. At the same time, make sure your children know you will be there to help if they find themselves in an uncomfortable or risky situation. Encourage them to call you if such a situation arises.
• Make sure you know where your kids are. Get the phone numbers where they will be and the numbers of other parents in the group. Tell your child to call if their location changes for any reason.
• Consider planning an "after-prom" party in your neighborhood -- at your home, the home of a parent you trust, or a community facility where chaperones will be present.

Teens:

• Prom night can be a very emotional experience. Don’t let pressure to make it a "special night" cause you to compromise your normal standards.
• Talk with your date ahead of time and make sure you agree on expectations for the evening, so there won’t be any surprises or misunderstandings about alcohol, drugs or sex.
• Alcohol and drugs can cloud your judgment and lead to poor decision making, like having unplanned or unprotected sex.
• Go as a group or have a network of friends who agree to look out for each other. Don’t drink anything if you’re not sure what’s in it.
• Pay for your own ticket so you don’t feel obligated to anyone.
• Call your parents if you get into an uncomfortable or risky situation. There might be consequences, but they’ll be minor compared to what could happen if you get pregnant or have a car accident.

A final tip for teens: don’t believe everything you hear. "Not everybody in high school gets drunk or has sex, on prom night or any other night," says Gretchen Levitz, Adolescent Health Leader of the Postponing Sexual Involvement Program at Bulkeley High School. "You can set standards for yourself and still have a great time."

For more information or a free teen resource guide on pregnancy prevention, contact Breaking the Cycle at (860) 236-4872.