Sometimes I wonder why parents dread talking to their children about sex. The first time my mom talked about it, she drew what a uterus looked like on an old piece of mail and illustrated what happens when a woman gets pregnant. She felt like I wasn’t old or mature enough to have the real “birds and bees” conversation, hence the reason I’ve never attended any sex education courses in school. I wish I had more knowledge about sex so I would have been more emotionally, mentally and physically prepared for when I experienced my first time.
Parents not talking about sex isn’t beneficial in two ways: it can increase STD rates with young adults and more teen pregnancies. Perhaps because I’m a not a parent I don’t have the same perspective, but it’s very important that these conversations take place. Some believe in the taboo that if they talk about it, they are going to become curious and start to become sexually active. However, it is better to hear it from the closest people they trust the most – parents.
Teenagers don’t have all the answers and they use their peers to fill in the gaps that some parents create. Some teens that become sexually active early aren’t fully prepared for the mental and emotional side, along with the attachment that occurs after having sex the first time.
You may want to wait until you’re ready and tell them what you want them to know. Just consider the idea that by the time you’re ready, it’s too late.
Talk With Your Kids | Keep your children safe + healthy. . .talk with them about sex!
We believe parents can start educating children about consent and empowerment as early as 1 year old and continuing into the college years. It is our sincere hope that this education can help us raise empowered young adults who have empathy for others and a clear understanding of healthy consent.
