The Sex Education for Children

How should you talk to your children about sexual intercourse? Read about the most common mistakes in teaching children about sexuality.

Sex education of children begins when they are very young and is the responsibility of their parents at least in its first phase. Many people wrongly assume that it is the school that will give their children appropriate sexual education when the time is right. Many people also try to suppress their children’s exploration of sexuality. Unfortunately, presenting sex to them as a taboo when they're little can have a great impact on their views on sexuality later on.

Parents should always honestly respond to the questions children ask them, even if they tackle touchy subjects when they are barely three years old, for instance: Mommy, how was I made? Any sort of storks, bees or birds should be avoided, even if talking in metaphors seems easier.

The child has to be conscious about as many aspects of the world we live in and learn the truth as soon as possible, as later realization of the truth and the discovery that parents lied to them can not only hurt their feelings and upset them but also additionally confuse them. The reason why it's best to give honest explanations is hidden in the fact that your somewhat simpler, but true answers to their questions in their early age make them ready for more delicate topics of conversation in the later period of adolescence. Then, parents shouldn't give up too soon but should offer their children a discussion on what constitutes sexual intercourse, even if they were raised in the spirit that talking about sexuality is something that is best avoided.

It's also wrong of parents to think that it's enough to briefly mention the function of our sexual organs. Parents should be aware that children don't understand everything as clearly as they do, as they aren't experienced. Children are curious, they have numerous questions and if they get negative, short and unclear reponses from their parents the first time they ask them, the next time they will prefer not to ask for any piece of advice, but will simply follow their intuition, which can often – as we know – be misleading and can get them into trouble. If you love them, don't leave them on their own without sex education. Even if the questions are repeated and may be a bit uncomfortable for parents, it's very important that children get clear answers to them. If parents cannot answer them right away, they shouldn't quit and abruptly say: “Leave me alone, I have no idea!”

Nowadays literature and references on sexuality are abundant and together with children you can find answers anywhere, for instance, on the website you are reading right now. You will thus help your child to have easier, safer and more pleasant sex life in the future, as well as gain his or her trust and improve relationships in your family.