6 Ways to Prep Your Kids for an Oversexed World

Nancy Shute on struggling to find the balance

Thanks for your thoughtful comments! As a parent, I find the decisions about what children need to know when to be among the most difficult, particularly since they are exposed to waaay more sex and violence than we ever were. The evidence is clear that too much too soon is really bad for kids. But then what, when? I'd love to protect all kids from all bad things. Levin's point is that we can't, so we have to teach them the skills to cope with the disturbing media message that they will for sure see.

all the best, Nancy

Knowledge is Power

Abstinence does work, but only if it's followed. Having "the talk" in this era has to be very different from the talk in the 1950's through the 1990's. We know so much more! Educating our young children and teens about sex should include the ramifications as well as the positives. It can't be a one hour lecture, either! It has to be a ongoing discussion that can take place at any time that your child feels comfortable.

A healthy sex life is nothing to be ashamed of, yet the basic function is a biological process to increase the population. (as stated by Mr. Crosby, below) Talking about sex needs to include the biological, physical and mental components that come with having sex. Until a person is mature enough to handle the possible ramifications, they should practice abstinence.

I understand hormones are wild and children have little knowledge about how to handle the feelings and urges, (heck, some adults still don't have control), but that should be where a responsible parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/doctor/or other trusted adult should step in and be open to talk about it with them. Knowledge is power, Ignorance is weakness.

Ignorance ...

Well, sometimes ignorance is bliss. I can't think of how many things I know about sex that I really don't need to know and wish that I was never exposed to. Once exposed to sex and sexual imagery, I odn't know of any way of getting it out of your head.

There are appropriate ways to discuss sex and correct behavior without being heavy-handed or giving in to an attitude that "it's all out there, they'd better see it" that fall far short of wide-open permissiveness. Slow, careful explanations of what is safe and healthy will help children learn how to choose what will make them happy and avoid much heartache and pain. Because sex is such a vital part of being an adult, it is worth every effort to teach children carefully. Unfortunately, today a necessary part of this careful teaching is a very strong filter on what children see.

Don't forget the porn on the cell-phone.

Sex prep for kids

Limiting sexual exposure just leaves our kids ignorant. They need to be taught the whole reality. Sex is a biological function to increase a population. The kids deserve to understand the ramifications of their actions. It is our duty as a parent to relate these issues to them because of their inexperience. Abstinence does not work, reality does.