Birds and The Bees When is it appropriate to talk to your children about sex? Many parents will try to give the infamous “birds and the bees” talk with their kids when they hit puberty around age 10 or 12. However, “sexual learning begins in infancy and continues throughout childhood and adolescence” (King: 271). Children draw their conclusions about sex from the social environment around them, their peers, family, friends, and the media like TV shows. They will undeniably bring it up with their friends who will most likely be misinformed about the subject, thus further perplexing sex and values/morals about sex. Instead of dwelling on one big talk with children “incorporating the topic of sexuality into the course of everyday conversation”
…show more content…
The problem is that they are worried of feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable. Obviously there is nothing exactly comfortable about talking about sex with your own kids, there will most certainly be some sort of discomfort on either or both ends. A parent can let their children know that they are a bit embarrassed, they probably are too. As long as parents are open and act comfortable and let them know that you are “glad they asked to talk with you, that you will be happy to answer all of their questions, and that it is okay to talk to you about the subject” (King: 274). In a study researchers found that “when parents were receptive, informal, and composed during the conversations, their adolescents were less anxious and, in turn, were less avoidant” (Afifi).Another cause for parents avoiding the “sex talk” is because they never received sex education themselves and are unsure with their own knowledge on the subject. An example from King & LoRusso “I always hoped I would be able to handle such topics with my children, but i guess I was unable because it was never really discussed with me” (King: 272). Parents feel embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing anything related to sex with their kids because when they were kids their parents never discussed it …show more content…
I was always annoyed at how little I knew about sex and relationships and looked to the internet to find answers. I agree with the textbook in that sex should be discussed with children earlier on before they hit puberty, so that they are aware what their bodies are going through and why. However, I do have to disagree about discussing certain aspects of sex with very young children. Such as the pleasure of sex. The biggest thing a child under the age of nine should worry about is their crush finding out they like them. They need to know not to let anyone touch or see their private parts, and if questions arise then a parent should explain to them why. After the age of nine then I feel like parents should explain sexuality more because that is when the child will start going through puberty and I feel it is appropriate at that time to share more details about sexuality. Nonetheless, people and families should be more comfortable with discussing sex because it is such a big part of our society and personal lives. “From the moment of birth to the day we die, we are all sexual beings” (King:
The problem is that they are worried of feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable. Obviously there is nothing exactly comfortable about talking about sex with your own kids, there will most certainly be some sort of discomfort on either or both ends. A parent can let their children know that they are a bit embarrassed, they probably are too. As long as parents are open and act comfortable and let them know that you are “glad they asked to talk with you, that you will be happy to answer all of their questions, and that it is okay to talk to you about the subject” (King: 274). In a study researchers found that “when parents were receptive, informal, and composed during the conversations, their adolescents were less anxious and, in turn, were less avoidant” (Afifi).Another cause for parents avoiding the “sex talk” is because they never received sex education themselves and are unsure with their own knowledge on the subject. An example from King & LoRusso “I always hoped I would be able to handle such topics with my children, but i guess I was unable because it was never really discussed with me” (King: 272). Parents feel embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing anything related to sex with their kids because when they were kids their parents never discussed it …show more content…
I was always annoyed at how little I knew about sex and relationships and looked to the internet to find answers. I agree with the textbook in that sex should be discussed with children earlier on before they hit puberty, so that they are aware what their bodies are going through and why. However, I do have to disagree about discussing certain aspects of sex with very young children. Such as the pleasure of sex. The biggest thing a child under the age of nine should worry about is their crush finding out they like them. They need to know not to let anyone touch or see their private parts, and if questions arise then a parent should explain to them why. After the age of nine then I feel like parents should explain sexuality more because that is when the child will start going through puberty and I feel it is appropriate at that time to share more details about sexuality. Nonetheless, people and families should be more comfortable with discussing sex because it is such a big part of our society and personal lives. “From the moment of birth to the day we die, we are all sexual beings” (King: