By TARSHI
But they are kids! Why should they know about sexuality?
We all want our children to grow into healthy, happy adults. From their childhood, we try to inculcate good eating habits, hygiene, discipline and often, the importance of education.
Equally important in this process is sexuality education. We may think children are too innocent to handle “such” information, or that it may encourage them to “experiment”, etc., but here’s where we need to understand one important thing: sexuality education is more than education about how to have sex!
In fact, sexuality education is a broad concept that aims to:
Reduce potentially negative consequences of sexual behaviour like unwanted …show more content…
Sexuality has many facets. Having a physical sexual relationship may be one part of our sexuality, but it is not the only one or even the most compelling or important. Our sexuality extends far beyond the physical sensations that our bodies experience. It is also what we feel about ourselves, our understanding of ourselves as women, men or transgender people, whether we like ourselves, and what we feel we have to share with others.
Clearly, then, sexuality matters from a young age, when children – including most children with disabilities – begin to form impressions about their identity and how to interact with others. It continues right up until our old age, continuously changing along the way. Given these messages, with time, our identity, the way we view our body, the society and its diktats on our health, body image and well being, all keep transforming. All along the way, young people are bombarded with conflicting messages from various sources on these topics.
In such a situation, it is better that young people are introduced to sexuality-related information by a responsible and informed adult or group of adults. There is consensus among mental health professionals, educationists and sociologists that curiosity about sex is common and normal. It is, in fact, the denial of such information that leads to fear, anxiety, mishaps, abuse and feelings of …show more content…
Conversations around sexuality are not one off that you can have “the talk” once and forget about it.
Look for activities in the normal course of your day. A stray dog with puppies, baby animals your child sees in the zoo, are good opportunities to talk about reproduction. Sanitary towel ads or condom ads, or intimate scenes when you’re watching something on TV, are great conversation starters. Try to bring up the subject casually and do not push for a discussion if your child doesn’t show interest.
Go one-on-one sometimes. For certain topics, you may find that bringing them up when your child is alone and not with friends, siblings or adults in whose presence they may feel embarrassed to talk. Use your judgment to decide.
Freaking out is not allowed! While having ongoing discussions around sexuality is a great way to convey your values to your kids, be ready to have these values questioned and challenged. This may be because they feel differently or have a contrary view simply to clarify their own values, or because they may have heard a different version from another source and are confused. At such instances, don’t get angry or be critical, but make your disagreement known in a gentle way without freaking