Posted on 05/18/2005 4:10:42 PM PDT by kingattax
Answering kids' questions about sex is one of the responsibilities many parents dread most. Otherwise confident parents often feel tongue-tied and awkward when it comes to sex. But the subject shouldn't be avoided. By answering children's questions as they arise, parents can help foster healthy feelings about sex.
When do children start becoming curious about sex? Children are human beings and therefore sexual beings. It's hard for parents to acknowledge this, just as it's hard for children to think of their parents as sexually active. But even infants have curiosity about their own bodies, which is healthy and normal.
What sort of "sexual" behavior do young children exhibit? Toddlers will often touch themselves when they are naked, such as in the bathtub or while being diapered. At this stage of development, they have no modesty. Their parent's reaction will tell them whether their actions are acceptable. Toddlers should not be scolded or made to feel ashamed of being interested in their bodies. It is natural for children to be interested in their own bodies. Some parents may choose to casually ignore self-touching. Others may want to acknowledge that, while they know it feels good, it is a private matter. Parents can make it clear that they expect the child to keep that activity private.
Parents should only be concerned about masturbation if the child seems preoccupied with it to the exclusion of other activities. Victims of sexual abuse sometimes become preoccupied with self-stimulation.
Is it OK to use nicknames for private parts? By the time a child is 3 years of age, parents may choose to use the correct anatomical words. They may sound clinical, but there is no reason why the proper label should not be used when the child is capable of saying it. These words - penis, vagina, etc. - should be stated matter-of-factly, with no implied silliness. That way, the child learns to use them in a direct manner, without embarrassment.
In fact, this is what most parents do. A Gallup Poll showed that 67% of parents use actual names to refer to male and female body parts.
What do you tell a very young child who asks where babies come from? Depending on the child's age, you can say that the baby grows from an egg in the mommy's womb, pointing to your stomach, and comes out of a special place, called the vagina. There is no need to explain the act of lovemaking because very young children will not understand the concept.
However, you can say that when a man and a woman love each other, they like to be close to one another. Tell them that the man's sperm joins the woman's egg and then the baby begins to grow. Most children under the age of 6 will accept this answer. Age-appropriate books on the subject are also helpful. Answer your child's question in a straightforward manner, and you will probably find that she is satisfied with a little information at a time.
Paging Mike Hunt....
Has anyone seen Mike Hunt?
Even better:
Little girl asks overweight woman...
Are you pregnant?
Waaaa ha ha. Funny.
lol
I am sorry but children are NOT sexual beings. That is something right of of the Pedophile Manifesto.
NAMBLA could not have said it better.
Children have sex organs but are NOT sexual beings. Sexuality develops at puberty and into mature adulthood. Furthermore, the presence of genitalia does not mean uncensored, unbridled use of these organs, no more than having a mouth means unbridled or unfettered eating (unless you want to be fat and sick).
What separates us (in theory) from animals is the ability to choose not to behave as an animal, led by urges and instincts and not be reason, self-control or wisdom.
Be VERY careful what books you bring home for your kiddie-winkies.
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