Download Chapter 3 Hormones and Sexuality

Addendum to Chapter 10
Talking with Your Children about Sex
Sexual Learning is Lifelong
Children learn about sexuality:
• family, friends, media, and the rest of
general environment
• parent’s behavior and attitudes
• sex education in schools
Which parent should talk with the
children?
It is usually mothers, but both parents should
open lines of communication
Negative parental reactions = children who are
less likely to open up or ask questions
Does telling children about sex lead
them to have sex?
Less likely to begin
early age sexual
behaviors
Strong loving
family relationships
See the
connections?
Much positive
attention (including
the quality of
communication)
Why should I talk to my child about
sex?
Personal Reflections
Some day you will probably be a parent (if you
are not one already). Do you plan to educate
your children about sexuality?
If so, how?
When will you begin?
Will a single “birds and bees” talk
suffice?
Communication should be lifelong
•
Waiting until age 10 or 11 is less effective
than incorporating topic of sexuality into
course of everyday conversation
When should I start talking with my
child about sexuality?
Young children:
• Share the names of their body
parts
Children:
• Share about changes of
puberty for both sexes before it
begins
Any age:
• If children are curious enough
to ask, answer!
What should I tell my children about
AIDS and other STIs?
Children hear about these topics and are
naturally curious
Questions and topics by age:
• School age:
• Ages 9 – 12:
• Teens:
Scare tactics are not effective!
How detailed should sex discussions
be?
•
Children do not want “birds and bees”
analogies; they want factual information in real
terms
•
Answers should be simple and age-appropriate
•
Morality should not be substituted for factual
information
What if I feel embarrassed?
How should I talk with my child?
Break ice by discussing sexually related matters that appear on TV
Be honest and open
Allow your child input; be approachable and accepting
Avoid scare tactics
Personal Reflections
How would you react if…




Your 5-yr-old asks where babies come from?
Your 9-yr-old asks what sex is?
Your 10-yr-old asks you what “French kissing” is?
Your 12-yr-old son came home from school saying
that he had to watch a “gross” movie about girls
having their period?
 Your 15-yr-old son asked you about birth control?
 Your 15-yr-old daughter asked you about birth
control?
What about morals? Aren’t they
important too?
Parents who generally have good loving
interactions with their children are more
successful in transmitting values than
parents who generally have poor
interactions with their children
This includes sexuality!
Can my behavior affect my child’s
attitudes and behavior?
Adult behavior influences child sexuality and
moral values
Reacting calmly and listening tells children that
they can discuss anything with you
How do I know if I have been
successful?
 Success is related
to _______.
Fill in the blank.