Is there a correlation between parental characteristics and sexually healthy children? Discussing sexuality with our children can be a daunting task, but, it may prove to be one of the most rewarding parts of parenting.
Every sexuality educator will tell you that parents are the first, and the most important educators of their children. They provide children with their first understandings of gender roles, relationships, values, and their first sense of self-esteem and caring. Parents educate infants and toddlers about their sexuality when they talk to them, dress them, cuddle them and play with them. Older children continue to learn about sexuality as they develop relationships within their families and observe the interactions around them.
Children want parents to be their most important resource regarding sex. Unfortunately most of parents let them down in this important area.
More than 80 % of parents believe it is their job to provide sex education to their children, yet few actually do. Only one in four adults in the US report that they learned about sexuality from their parents, but want to do a better job with their own children. Unfortunately, few seem to have the skills, comfort or information they need.
Read on to find out WHY it is so important to talk to your children about sex and sexuality and for guidelines for communication that will help you start the conversation.