Sex Education

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Sex education? hehe.. yeah that's the topic. I decided to write on this after I read an article in a Nigerian daily where 27 pupils reported themselves pregnant in a school in Limpop, South Africa "Mavelani High School" and how women gather outside the school premises everyday, waiting for a call from the principal or teacher inside that a student has gone into labour. The first thing that came to my head was sex education...hehe...yeah. Seriously, when do you think is the appropriate age for parents to start talking to us about sex?........5?..10?....16?......really, I think it should start from age 3 or 4 :).

Today, sex is everywhere - on TV, in movies, and plastered all over advertising, the only place it seems the subject is still considered a taboo is in conversations between children and parents, innit?......... heheh....I know it's embarrassing and nerve-racking to talk about sex with our parents. Sometimes we may be curious about something regarding sex, but we feel that if we ask our parents the question, they'll think we are up to something bad. Some of our parents are so busy with their own life and stuff that they don't even have the time to talk to us, some feel reluctant to broach the subject instead they buy books on puberty and sexuality. I know they want us to know about our body and sex; but they just don't want to talk about it.

Seriously, If you're a parent, it is important that you talk to us about sex education. Now there is oral sex, anal sex, cybersex - even 'sexting' over the phone, LOL. We're likely to be confronted with misinformation at our early age, we hear about sex as soon as we start schooling, and we may not get the viewpoint that you want us to get.

I know you have no idea on how to start the conversation with us, but you know, talking to us about sex is part of your God-given responsibility as parents. True, it may be awkward, both for you and us but many of us want to learn about sex from you (parents) and not from some teacher, book or TV program.

Unless we are in total isolation, I know we begin hearing about sex at an early age. Even more disturbing is the fact that in these last days wicked men have advanced from bad to worse. Sadly, many children are exploited  by adults for perverted sexual purposes. It is important for you (parents) to educate us when we are still quite young. If you wait till we are teens, we may not want to speak openly because of the inhibitions that come with puberty.

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Maybe at an early age you could train us to respond firmly if anyone attempts to play with our sex organs :). For example: Stop that! I'm going to tell on you! even if the person promises gifts or threats*....hehe... maybe if those South African students were taught this, the number would not have been that much.

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And as we grow up, we will have information that we need to tackle the maturity level. Personally, I don't enjoy long conversations with my parents, short discussions with us frequently may help.

As embarrassing as sex may be to discuss, it's something we need to know. We may hold back from asking questions because we fear that you will suspect us of improper conduct, it is your duty to assure us that the discussion is not because you suspected us of anything; you only want to make sure that we are equipped to handle bad influences around us.

Talking to us about sex may be one of the most embarassing parenting task you may ever face, but it is worth your effort. Over time, the awkwardness fades. It becomes easier to discuss awkward topics if you establish a routine of being open about whatever subjects present themselves in the family. Open communication is the lifeblood of a healthy family, you know. hahahahaha.......don't diss me now :::)))).

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