ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, May 7, 1996 TAG: 9605070093
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Health notes
SOURCE: SANDRA BNROWN KELLY
Would your mom prefer seafood, meat or pasta for dinner?
What's her favorite flower?
What radio station does your son or daughter like to listen to the most?
What gift would your kids most like for their birthdays?
If parents and their children can get to know each other in small ways, they might be able to establish the communication needed to help the young people more effectively deal with their sexuality, suggested experts in a teleconference held last week by the Virginia Department of Health.
Health workers gathered at 35 sites across the state, including at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, to hear State Health Commissioner Randolph Gordon encourage teen-agers to take responsibility for their sexual activity and to encourage sexual abstinence until marriage.
Participants were given materials about sexually transmitted diseases and peer pressure tactics, and received a chart of the progression of sexual feeling to use in "character-based sexuality" programs with young people.
The abstinence position may offend some people, young and old, but it is part of a push to lower the teen-pregnancy rate among other things.
Whether or not you agree with Gordon's position, information delivered during the conference can build teamwork between parents and a child so that they can at least talk about the issues of growing up.
Parents, check how well you know your children by answering the following questions (13 is good; fewer than 10 correct means you need to do a better job):
1. What is your child's favorite television show?
2. What radio station does your son or daughter like to listen to the most?
3. What type of music does your child like?
4. If your son or daughter's birthday was approaching, what would he or she like to receive as a gift?
5. Who is your son's or daughter's best friend?
6. Does your son or daughter have a nickname or a name used by his or her friends?
7. What is your child's favorite food?
8. What type of career would your son or daughter like to pursue?
9. What does he or she like to do the most on a weekend?
10. What has been the greatest success or accomplishment in your son's or daughter's life?
11. What is his or her favorite hobby, activity or sport?
12. What is his or her favorite academic subject?
13. Would your son or daughter rather have a cat, a dog, a rabbit or a fish?
14. What type of movie would your child rather attend: romance, comedy, adventure, mystery or horror?
15. Where would your child prefer to go: to the mountains, to the beach or skiing?
If you're the child and reading this, there are similar questions to answer about your parents including: do you know their middle names, the color of their eyes, where they went to high school or if they carry a picture of you.
Kids' rolf
Frank and Eva Jo Wu, Roanoke Valley practioners of rolfing, plan a free children's rolfing clinic Saturday at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Roanoke.
Rolfing is a body manipulation technique that strives to produce balance and alignment by working on connective tissue that surrounds the muscles.
Connective tissue is the key to allowing the muscles to lengthen, says Eva Jo Wu, who has scheduled the clinic in honor of the technique's founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Saturday is Rolf's 100th birthday.
Families interested in participating in the clinic can call the Wus or Carol Blanding at (540) 774-5333 for information or an appointment.
The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is at the corner of Brandon and Grandin roads across from Patrick Henry High School.
You can contact Sandra Brown Kelly at 981-3393 or through e-mail at skelly2180@AOL.COM.
LENGTH: Medium: 78 linesby CNB