Sex education for Children. Any advice?

[lgullett]

This is such a delicate issue with so many easier access of predators to communicate with children online. I don't want to say too much too soon taking the psychological innocents away. But with stories of younger ones involved sexually sadly by force or otherwise, kind a forces the issue of saying something on the subject. I think important subjects to consider is relating to the child's perception of what sex is, how feelings develop inside and why, and the typical 'where babies come from' speech. Helping them to fully trust talking to their parents on this subject is most important, because it could save their life or future, as they make relationship decisions throughout life.

Do you have any advise of ways to teach children learn about sex and feelings associated with it?

[Louise31]

Children need to be told the truth at a stage they ask and in a way they understand, if they ask then tell them the truth but dont go over the top and then they will be satisfied with the answer.

[Brandbla8]

Honesty! My daughter is 12 and comes to me with anything she has a question about. Make your relationship with your children open and honest.

[Louise31]

That is very true the more you can be open the more your kids will grow up with that attitude.

[yvonnewilcox]

I know that schools now teach children about sex education but I strongly believe that children should be taught about sex before they start school and start to interact with others.

If you really stop and think about it, you should teach children about sex as soon as they are at the age when they start to understand and get curious. Reason I made this statement is because of incest. Incest is an ugly word that nobody wants to address but we all know if exists in some families.

[suvan]

I always admire the idea of including sex education for children in their school curriculum.Each & every child will learn the basic things about sex.It'll be very very helpful in their future.

As parents we should also teach them something about it.We mustn't avoid their questions regarding sex.I think just like other topics we must tell them about sex frankly.Can't you do it for the future of your child !Otherwise your negligence may put your child in danger in future.Think about it,you must find a way to learn your child.

[Asad]

Boys learn everything, im my opinion!
I mean, I have learnt everything from my friends and all.

But. I donno about Girls. I think they should be taught by their parents!

[wickidd1]

I do think that it is a vital requirement of the curriculum in schools. Children should learn about sex and the risks it entails as they will know what they are getting themselves into later in life. As for the age to begin sex education, this is a tricky one, perhaps coinciding with puberty is a good time to learn.

[harpreet_singh]

This is an very important topic which many parents tends to ignore.And if you have young children, you might think you're off the hook — at least for a while. But that's not necessarily true. Sex education can begin anytime.I would also like sex education to be a part of curicullum in school.

[learn2ear]

Thats very good Brandbla8.

Yes, the children needs to know about sex education at the early stages. In region (India) sex education, male & female reproduction are being though in 9th and 10th standard(by the time child reaches at the age of 14 or 15). Being parents as their second teacher its their duty to them up with this depending upon their children(some child are exposed to this at very early stages).

[Oasis]

In my opinion, sex education is not necessary and is plain stupid. By the time children become teengaers they will naturally understand those topics that are taught in sex education. Even if they somehow don't know about sex at all, in science they have a subject on pregnancy. This alone is more than enough. Teaching children about sex when they are too young might give them a wrong idea about it.

[Geminiamp]

I think it's important to educate kids about safe sex so they don't end with an std, aids or pregnant. When I was a teenager a long time ago we were all being taught how to put on a condom and one kid that this knowledge would have been helpful 2 years ago. He was only 16 and had a 1 year old, I think that a lot of parents may be left in the dark when it comes to what their teenager is really doing.

So I would definitely educate them on the risks and how to be as safe as possible even if they say they are still a virgin because they might not be telling you the truth.

[Oasis]

Originally Posted by Geminiamp

I think it's important to educate kids about safe sex so they don't end with an std, aids or pregnant. When I was a teenager a long time ago we were all being taught how to put on a condom and one kid that this knowledge would have been helpful 2 years ago. He was only 16 and had a 1 year old, I think that a lot of parents may be left in the dark when it comes to what their teenager is really doing.

So I would definitely educate them on the risks and how to be as safe as possible even if they say they are still a virgin because they might not be telling you the truth.

You can teach teenagers sex education but it's still up to them. I think any 16-year-old already knows what is sex and how it can cause pregnancy. That kid you're talking about knew it, but still he chose to have sex. It's his fault. After all premarital sex should not be practiced, is a sin, and a shameful act. But I know the West is different.

[ZackFaire]

During the 5th grade, I think schools start teaching children about sex education. I think it is best if parents reinforced it with examples of safe sex and STD prevention. A lot of groups are promoting the ideas of abstinence but the more you try to hide something from someone, the more they're going to want to know about it.

Let them learn at an early age and give them examples. It's better for them to be safe now than regret something later on.

[MattChow]

Yup, children really needs to be educated about sex, its corresponding advantages and disadvantages, at an early age. For them to know what is right from wrong as well as the consequences of such if they ever resort to premarital sex, since these is quite prevalent in our time and age. We know that kids as young as 10 to 12 years old already experienced sex, out of peer pressure or for financial gain, without the necessary protection. A lot of teenage pregnancies happened because kids are not taught about sex and pregnancies, if they had been informed earlier, then these pregnancies could have been avoided.

[oo1987]

I plan on telling my children the basics from an early age, mainly to answer any questions about babies, and to create an open forum for discussion, so they know they can speak to me without embarrassment. I think it has to be done from an early age, because kids have so many ways of hearing garbled versions of what sex is, much less the arousing images you can find on television.

I was 6 when my mother tried to tell me, the only problem was I already knew! At least the basic mechanics. So, as soon as my 3 year old asks me where babies come from, I will tell her, and as she gets a little older I will elaborate on the emotional implications, as well as the responsibilities of safety that need to be taken.

We can't expect anyone but ourselves to keep our kids healthy and safe, after all.

[Walker]

It is actually a very good idea to have sex education imparted to children.

That way, children would learn the basics of it..in a fair manner.....Giving them the knowledge on this subject would also reduce their curiosity for it and hence they would feel comfortable in treating it as just one aspect of a life.

In the absence of such systems, children do succumb to their curiosity in knowing about it and try to explore of it at dark places and end up learning and doing it in an immoral and unhygienic way.

Anything kept secret and in the dark always results in raising more curiosity and children end up giving it more importance to it than needed.

Regards,

Walker

[zowie]

Children need to be taught at a very young age how to understand and protect themselves from pedophiles. As they get in to their teenage years, they need to be provided sexual education so that they learn how to enjoy safe sex and not get pregnant when they are not ready to take care of kids.

[shailbpl]

Parents would be the worst sex educators. Most dads would ideally like their daughters to die virgins - they're way over-protective of daughters. Some moms are so possessive about their sons and also daughters. Teaching them about sex would seem to such parents, a bad idea, because that would give them the confidence to engage in safe sex, thereby encouraging it.

I think we need books - that are not afraid to give kids the truth about sex, safety, consequences of unprotected sex, pregnancy and how that feels like, raising a kid, etc. Kids are curious and they'll for sure read sex-ed books cover-to-cover. It should then be up to them to ask questions about it to peers and even their parents if they feel comfortable enough (most won't).

In this day of 5-year olds doing oral sex, its never too early to start teaching them the dangers.

[oxis]

I would suggest that sex education should not be introduced at early age. Children, eighteen years old and below, should be taught with, and be exposed to learning things a child is priviledged to learn and not with things an adult should be aware of. The more one exposes SEX education to children, the more tendency there would be for them to put them into experiment and later into practice. And to think, they are not prepared yet. It will cause to slow down if not stagnate physical growth, and inculcate bad influence to more children of their age. Violence will consequently rate up.

[ZammaJann]

If a child is too young to understand the dangers of predators, then the child is too young to be on the internet unsupervised. There are very real dangers on the internet, but the greater dangers continue to be with individuals the child actually knows in real life. Stick to the old "Nobody should touch you where you bathing suit covers"

As for internet safety, you should be monitoring all conversations your child has as well as all sites visited. There are many net nannies available out there to help you monitor your child's internet usage.

[r1superman]

Most important is not to make it awkward. Don't give them weird examples like talking about you and their mom. Also don't use weird animal analogies. I think that just freaks them out. Just be straight forward and be open to all questions. Usually a kid will learn this in school rather from their parents.

[thoran]

This is an good idea to have sex education for children. By doing this they will get exposed to the sex and all the effects of having early age sex. This even avoids the younger pregnancy too. This even educates about the sex to the children

[cena_john]

It's very important for the children to be educated about sex at an early teen age as the average age of sexual activity has come down substantially. It is very important that education is given in a correct manner so that children don't have any wrong perceptions about sex.

[ferdousx]

education helps young people to be a matured human being. same thing implies to sex education. but as it is for children, its limit should be carefully considered. One big problem is that you cannot measure someones maturity by age or class. So, its difficult to decide how much education they need and from which level.

[Kofi]

Talking about sex in Africa especially to children is considered a taboo or something wrong because most people believe that the more you teach children about sex, the more they go out practicing what they have learnt. This is true but what we should know is that, in today's world, you the parent don't need to teach the children what is sex because they know already but what you can do as a parent is to teach them the better way. Abstinence is the best way but since abstinence doesn't work in today's world, teach the children how to use condoms and I hope they will understand.

[William]

Well first of all, honesty is most important. I personally would suggest you buying one of the sex-ed books as they tend to be very effective now a days, especially with teenagers.

Best of luck.

-William

[beatrix]

As they say 'Knowledge is power'. Around puberty is the right age for children to be learning about sex education. But more than that i think children should be made more aware of the sexual crimes and how to prevent themselves of being unsuspecting victims.

[PUURO]

Parents need to be honest by giving them brief answers, in term of educating them. Sex education helps keep them safe from abuse healthy and mutually respectful behavior. During the time of growing up, they get more information from their peers or just example their chatting friends.
Technology is also one reason why sex education is very important nowadays

[squintoo]

What i think is, parents are generally shy to teach children about sex.. but i think this is a must for every parent..
the best way is when the children are taught about it without the fear of feeling awkward or shy