Talking to Your Kids About Sex
We know – it is not an easy thing to do!
But sex education is a topic kids need to learn about. In her new book, Talking to Your Kids About Sex, Dr Laura Berman helps encourage positive thought, relationships, and decision-making. The book equips you with the right tools clear, easy-to-explain information; critical questions to ask; good timing; and a sense of humor.
Thursday, 9/24 @ 4PM ET, join other Gather parents in an hour long live chat to discuss this topic.
- How did your parents approach the topic of sex education when you were younger?
- What are your feelings about discussing it with your children?
- What age do you think your children should learn about the topic?
- Is sexual education as important, less important, or more essential than it was 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 50 years ago?
- How has the internet and the media impacted your child’s knowledge of sex?
- Do you think it would be beneficial or harmful not to approach the topic of sexual education at all with your child?
Gather will draw five people who join the live chat to receive a copy of Dr Laura Berman’s book Talking to Your Kids About Sex and 50 Gather Points™.
The chat takes place in the comment field of this article. REFRESH your internet browser to see new comments appear.
See Dr. Berman on TV:
Thursday, September 24th: Dr. Berman returns to "The Today Show" to talk exclusively about Talking to Your Kids About Sex. See the video here.
Wednesday, October 21st: Dr. Berman will appear on the "The Dr. Oz Show."
One entry per person who participates in the chat. No purchase necessary. See official rules.
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Comments: 176
My step-son is 8 and is already curious. We don't know when the right time is to talk to him or how to begin.
I have no problems talking to my children about sex. I will try to be as open and honest as I possibly can without scaring them, encouraging them to do it or discouraging them to do it. I’ll explain birth control and abstinence and not preach “Don’t do it, or else”.
I think they should learn about it at the first signs that they are exploring “parts” and asking questions. It’s different for every child. I’d say as soon as they show an interest in it, if not before.
I think sex education is more important then 10, 20 or 50 years ago. It seems like there is no emotion to having sex anymore, it’s “just another thing to do”. Kids and teens seem more careless and carefree these days.
Internet and media have made sex seem like it’s the most important thing in a relationship. Kids and teens react to that by losing their virginity at earlier ages. They feel like sex is love but there is also no emotion in it. It’s just a physical act to most kids but they use it to get love and attention.
Approaching the topic could be beneficial or harmful depending on what’s said and how it’s said. I wish my mom talked to me but at the same time, I think I waited longer then my friends because she didn’t talk to me. I waited because I was scared to have sex due to lack of information/education. My sister was just the opposite. I think it depends on the child and the parent. If it’s done correctly, they should be fine.
It is still up to the parents to see that the kids get the correct information and that can be difficult.
I read a news article a while back and it said that by the time kids were in 5th grade many of them had already had some sexual contact. That is very alarming.
here's the thing. there was this boy that thought he was a "player". By the end, he was so grossed out that he said it was dangerous to date girls if you didn't know their background. I think every girl in that room had her legs crossed by the end.
I don't agree with how things were handled by that nun. I don't think scaring children and teens is the right approach at all.
My mom was very honest with me and talking to be about everything at around 10 years old. She always let me ask questions, too. I want to be just as frank and open with my kids. It's not always easy :)
I know that when my oldest son was shown the movie in 5th grade there was a section with two men together (which received a lot of giggles from 5th graders) and by the time my next son saw the same movie, they whited out that whole section. hmmm. In our school, the boys see the movie together and the girls see the same movie, but in a different room. It is the first time that the boys realize the menstrual cycle which totally grossed out my boys. But then I was able to use it when I was grumpy. "I'm PMS'ing". hee.
But, I do want to say that I learned from a pediatrician that as a parent, you should also talk to younger children about not letting anyone touch their body parts and the children should be vocal when they feel uncomfortable.
Things didn't change when my older daughter was born; however, she had no interest in boys at all only studying and was an A Student. My younger daughter we had the talk, but I think she could have told us things we didn't know on the subject.
my mom talked to my sister and I when we were ages 12 and 13. we also learned
about some of it at school in a health class. which In my opinion should not
be discussed in school. Parents should talk to kids about it.
What are your feelings about discussing it with your children? my dd is age 11 and
we have talked about a few things. mostly about men.cycle. she knows why
women go thru that and she knows that she can start any time know.
according to her Dr. once girls reach 100 lbs. they may start, she is 89 lbs.
I have no problem talking to her about it. Being honest is the best thing
us a parents can be.
What age do you think your children should learn about the topic? at least 11 or older.
Is sexual education as important, less important, or more essential than it was 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 50 years ago? the same I think. but by parents only and not schools.
How has the internet and the media impacted your child’s knowledge of sex?
Do you think it would be beneficial or harmful not to approach the topic of sexual education at all with your child?
This is a great topic for a chat!
When my oldest son was in junior high, the nurse at the doctor's office told my neighbor that the biggest thing that was going around was an STD (gonorrhea) of the throat in girls. ick! When I heard this, I did talk to my son about not getting in line in the bathroom, thinking that it would be cool to be part of that action. ick.
# Is sexual education as important, less important, or more essential than it was 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 50 years ago? I think its certainly more important today, as I didn't have any friends that were pregnant before 18.
# How has the internet and the media impacted your child’s knowledge of sex? My daughter knew everything before I did and think she is better informed.
# Do you think it would be beneficial or harmful not to approach the topic of sexual education at all with your child? I think its harmful to not have the talk with our children, as there is so much false information that other children tell our children. I know my daughter told me she was told by another student you can get pregnant by sitting on the toilet seat.
we don't let her see or hear those types of things. As Christian Parents we limit what
she is exposed to by the media and internet.
Do you think it would be beneficial or harmful not to approach the topic of sexual education at all with your child?
Yes. they need to know about it, but in a way that is helpful and
the truth. not by someone else, but by her parents.
I do think young kids should also be taught at an early age
that no one is allowed to touch them in a way that
makes them uncomfortable and scared. and they can
talk to their mom and dad about anything and not
be ashamed or scared too.
When I was growing up that was one thing we did not have to worry about but today it is a part of everyday life.
Let's face it "sex sells". The influence of the media is not good for kids. They are bambarded with way too much at an early age. So it is more important than ever to have the talk while they are young before they hear the myths. They need to hear the facts from a parent not the myths from the media and friends.
she likes to play games online and email her cousins.
at her age 11, she does not ask too many
questions about that subject.
God made your body, and it is special
Babies come from God; they are a result of marriage and love
Your body is special; It is yours and no one else's
God made boys and girls different
Because boys and girls are different, we practice modesty
Boys and girls are both excellent; you are exactly as God wanted you