LIFESTYLE: How to Handle Sex Education

TALKING to children early about sexuality, relationships and sex will help them to be able to face all the challenges that are related to them. Today's children are exposed to so many information about sexuality, relationships and sex, so if parents don't give the right information, they will definitely pick up messages from their friends, the internet, television and magazines. However, this information in most cases is misleading, inaccurate and confusing. Therefore, sex education remains an important job for parents. Research over time has also shown that young people would like their mums, or dads, or guardians to be the first person to talk to them about their body changes, feelings, relationship and sex. The followings are the benefits of talking to children about sexuality, relationship and sex:
1. Children will be able to understand the natural physical and emotional changes that they will be experiencing or they are experiencing for those who are teenagers.
2. Knowing what is a healthy relationship and unhealthy relationship
3. How to respect their bodies and others
4. What they should know about sex
5. It will help to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies and abortion.
6. Lower the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STI)
7. Teach them how sexuality, relationship and sex fit in with their own cultural and religious beliefs
8. Help them feel more confident talking about sex with their friends and partners when they are older.
Myth about sex education:Some people have this belief that talking to children about sexuality, relationships and sex is a way of encouraging the children to experiment or rather engage in sex. Just because they are curious about sex does not necessarily mean that they are interested in having sex, even research has also shown that it has quite the opposite effect. We understand that talking to children about sexuality, relationship and sex can be scary, but if you keep it at their level of understanding, it wouldn't be as difficult as you think.
At what age should we start talking to our children about sexuality, relationship and sex? This is one of the main questions many parents ask.
You will find it less embarrassing, if you start talking about sexuality, relationships and sex when your child is very young because young children don't need very detailed information. Three to four years is a good age to start. At this stage, children are aware and curious about the differences between the sexes (male and female). They may peep under each other's clothes, like to undress their dolls. They may enjoy playing daddies and mummies. Some start asking questions such as: Can daddies have babies? Where do babies come from? How does the baby get in? Give them a short, simple, truthful answer as detailed explanations go over their heads. Often a child just needs the name of something. Teach them parts of the body. Use the right names and emphasise on self-respect and respect for others. Explain to them what friendship at their level is all about. Tell them about touches that must be reported concerning their bodies. Build their confidence and encourage them to tell you everything.
Furthermore, from age five to eight. At this age, children start to learn what their bodies can and can't do and like to find out how things work and how they are made. They are curious about their own and other people's body, pregnancy and child birth. They continue to play daddy and mummy game, doctor and nurse. This is all normal. As a result, it is a good time to build on what you have already begun to teach your child about growing up. Remember some girls start having a period at eight years old, so it is best to tell boys and girls about periods by this age. Don't make a big deal of it while talking to them. For example, when out shopping, take your child past the tampons and towels section, then start the conversation in case you don't know how to start talking to them about sexuality. It is important to tell boys about period as well. Children need to know that their bodies will be changing. If you talk to your child you will find out what they already know and what they want to know.
Talking to older children: Once children are a bit older, they may pretend they know all about sex in reality they probably don't. The only way you can be sure of what they know is to ask them questions to know exactly what they know about sex and fill in the gap if need be. Find out if there is anything else they want to know. Help them by making it easy for them to ask you questions. They may not ask much, but you will have shown that you are understanding, approachable and a good listener. Teenagers often find it much harder to talk to their parents or guardians about sex and relationship than younger children so it helps if you talk to children when they are much younger. This will help them know you are always ready to talk to them, if they want to. It is never too late to talk if you have not started. Remember what it was like when you were growing up so tell them all that there is to know. Give them the right information about the physical and emotional changes, healthy and unhealthy relationship, consequences of pre-marital sex (pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases). Help them exercise responsibility, regarding sexual relationships, including abstinence. Make them understand the importance and value of their education at this stage of their life. In addition, talk to them on not giving into peer pressure and to avoid distractions. Let them know that there is time for everything.