Parents are an important source of information about sex for children and adolescents (CDC Parents matter page…). Parents not only contribute to their children’s knowledge base, but also have other responsibilities for the health of their child. Giving children accurate information about sex may allow more reality over fantasy as children develop sexual scripts (DeLamater, 1981). Choosing when to talk about sex, and what to talk about, can be a daunting task for many parents. Despite the importance of parent communication about sex, most youth report gathering more information about sex from friends or television than their parents (Bell, Feraios & Bryan, 1990; Carabasi, Greene, & Brent, 1992; Fassler, McQueen, Duncan & Copeland, 1990;
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They are entitled to protection from sexual experiences that harm their development. Children deserve to be raised in age appropriate conditions that promote a healthy sexual development. Parents, teachers and other family members usually protect them from any possible harm (Tharinger, 1990). However, sometimes parents are not able to protect their children from sexual predators. Child sexual abuse (CSA) is defined as any sexual interaction including vaginal or anal penetration, fondling, oral sex, sexual kissing, between an adult and a prepubescent child (Yarber, Sayad, & Strong, 2010). There has been an increase in childhood sexual abuse since the 1990s. According to the National Center of Childhood Abuse and Neglect, more than 200,000 children each year reported having experienced harm through childhood sexual abuse and more than 100,000 children are endangered of becoming victims (Noll, Trickett, & Putnam, 2003). A great portion of American children grow up suffering from unwanted inappropriate behavior and experience sexual trauma. These young victims are still maturing; therefore the natural sequence of their development of sexuality can become disrupted. The natural development of sexuality in humans consist of acquiring attitudes and behaviors regarding sexual behavior, especially those according to their gender, as well as adapting to sex-role behaviors in order to adjust and understand the physical process related to hormonal changes (Tharinger, 1990). From the moment of birth, psychosocial factors, family, schools, peers, and media, all interact with the child’s mental perceptions of sex. Sexualized children, however, lack the ability to repress sexual behaviors among many other consequences (Tharinger, 1900). In a study done by Noll, Trickett, and Putnam (2003), 77 sexually abused and 89 comparison women were assessed in a longitudinal study of 10 years. Subjects were evaluated in order to
They are entitled to protection from sexual experiences that harm their development. Children deserve to be raised in age appropriate conditions that promote a healthy sexual development. Parents, teachers and other family members usually protect them from any possible harm (Tharinger, 1990). However, sometimes parents are not able to protect their children from sexual predators. Child sexual abuse (CSA) is defined as any sexual interaction including vaginal or anal penetration, fondling, oral sex, sexual kissing, between an adult and a prepubescent child (Yarber, Sayad, & Strong, 2010). There has been an increase in childhood sexual abuse since the 1990s. According to the National Center of Childhood Abuse and Neglect, more than 200,000 children each year reported having experienced harm through childhood sexual abuse and more than 100,000 children are endangered of becoming victims (Noll, Trickett, & Putnam, 2003). A great portion of American children grow up suffering from unwanted inappropriate behavior and experience sexual trauma. These young victims are still maturing; therefore the natural sequence of their development of sexuality can become disrupted. The natural development of sexuality in humans consist of acquiring attitudes and behaviors regarding sexual behavior, especially those according to their gender, as well as adapting to sex-role behaviors in order to adjust and understand the physical process related to hormonal changes (Tharinger, 1990). From the moment of birth, psychosocial factors, family, schools, peers, and media, all interact with the child’s mental perceptions of sex. Sexualized children, however, lack the ability to repress sexual behaviors among many other consequences (Tharinger, 1900). In a study done by Noll, Trickett, and Putnam (2003), 77 sexually abused and 89 comparison women were assessed in a longitudinal study of 10 years. Subjects were evaluated in order to