Talking to Children about Sex

American College of Pediatricians 25 July 2016
Family First Comment: Excellent read. “Parents have the opportunity to protect their children from the potentially harmful consequences of sex, counteract misinformation from other sources, and communicate their own values regarding sex when they talk to their children about sex and sexuality”
Parents can and should have the most significant effect on their children’s sexuality. In today’s world, there are many sources for children to gain information about sexuality and much of that information is not correct. Parents have the opportunity to protect their children from the potentially harmful consequences of sex, counteract misinformation from other sources, and communicate their own values regarding sex when they talk to their children about sex and sexuality.¹ Sadly, there are many parents who do not talk to their children.
One study found that parents often perceive certain barriers which discourage them from talking to their children about this topic. These barriers include, but are not limited to, thinking that children are not ready to hear about sex, not knowing how to talk about sex, the parents’ lack of time or energy, the child’s lack of receptivity, parents’ embarrassment or discomfort, not having thought about the need to talk about sex, dysfunction in some families, and language and cultural barriers between parents and children.¹ Research has found that when parents overcome these barriers and do talk to their children about sexuality their children have sex at a later age and have better communication with their future romantic partners.
So what should parents do?

Talk to your children when they are young.
- “Before children’s bodies start to change, you need to prepare them for peer pressure. You need to educate them about risks and prepare them for challenges.
Make it an ongoing conversation.
- “The most important thing for a parent and child in sexual health is open communication.”
Develop a good relationship with your children.
Model an appropriate romantic relationship and sexuality with your spouse.
Recognize and take advantage of the teachable moments that arise.
- “When something comes on the radio or television about sex, do you turn it off so your children can’t hear? Or do you talk about it?”
- Talk about what is happening in children’s sex education classes.
Create opportunities to talk about sex.
Use religious teachings and the church community as supports.
Some specific things to let your children know…