6 Reasons Why You Should Talk About Sex With Your Children
While in Western society sex is ceasing to be a taboo subject, in many homes Talking about it is still a complicated topic Sex appears on television, in movies, in magazines and even on advertising billboards, but behind closed doors, it is still an uncomfortable and embarrassing topic, and many parents resist having these types of conversations with their children.
The world is changing a lot in recent decades due to new technologies and the exposure and media impact that sex has, making correct sexual education necessary from different educational agents, especially from the family. The classic way of having sex has been giving way to more diversified ways of relating sexually.
A study confirms the importance of talking about sex in the family
If you are a parent you will be interested to know that a recent study has shown that Talking to your children about sex is beneficial for them This is especially important for adolescents, since treating sex as something forbidden can negatively condition them for the rest of their lives. Correct sexual education can prevent sexually transmitted diseases, sexual disorders, improve relationships in the future, etc., that is, it can improve both the emotional and physical health of your children and positively affect their future well-being.
A study carried out by Laura Widman of North Carolina State University and published in JAMA Pediatrics states that Talking about sex with parents, especially mothers, has a positive effect on safer sexual behavior in adolescents, especially among girls. To carry out the study, 52 studies from the last 30 years were reviewed in which more than 25,000 adolescents had participated.
Communication about sex between parents and children promotes safe sex
The results of the study carried out by Widman and his collaborators confirm the positive effect of parent-child talks regarding sex. The association between communication with parents and the use of contraceptive methods in adolescents would be significantly more frequent in women than men. Therefore, conversations focused on these topics are a protective factor for youth and It is the best way to prevent sexual behaviors that can affect the mental and physical health and well-being of adolescents
Bad sexual practices and behaviors associated with risky attitudes are a major problem due to the risk of contagion of sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies. Therefore, communication between parents and adolescents is one of the factors that could lead to safer sexual relations among young people, including the use of contraceptives Unfortunately, this does not always happen due to shame or ignorance.
Talking about sex with your children is protecting them
Laura Witman, the director of the study, explains: “Talking about sex with your children is a way to protect them. Starting these types of conversations, even though they may seem a little uncomfortable, will help your child and make them feel like they can trust you.” Furthermore, Witman adds: “In the study we found that the children of parents who talked to them about topics such as condoms or sexually transmitted diseases were more likely to take precautions during sexual intercourse.”
The author of the study also explains the reason why family sex talks are more productive between mother and daughter It is because women have an easier time communicating than boys and men. On the other hand, “it could also be that society is more protective of girls in this sense, which is why parents try to protect them.”
Regarding the role of parents in conversations about sex: “There is really little research along these lines that is specifically focused on parents. Still, this study sends a message to parents: what they say to their children matters,” says Witman.
Reasons to talk about sex with your children
Many parents still find it difficult to give their children good sexual education when they have not received it themselves. Addressing this topic can be difficult and It is necessary to find the path and the way to be able to do it naturally But it is necessary to address this issue in the family so that children can experience sexuality in all its fullness.
Since talking about sex with your children will benefit them, these are some of the reasons why you should do it:
