Sex Education Request for Toddlers – Let Our Babies Learn to Read and Write First
Posted: Saturday, July 05, 2008
by Kacycarr
http://www.spotthepimple.com
I have just read a story on sex education that I found quite disturbing. Not only am I shocked, I am fuming to say the least. How on earth are these so called bright sparks with their so called bright ideas permitted to lay down the law on what they believe is right for our children. There will be those opposed to my opinion on the matter, but as a mother I believe I have earned the right to say when "my" child is ready to be prepped on sex relations. I am all for the younger generation being made aware of the risks involved when having unprotected sex, but at an age appropriate that meets with their level of understanding. Below is a snippet that encouraged me as a parent to protest.
Mandatory sex and relationship education for children as young as four is needed to reduce the rising teenage STI and abortion rate, according to two leading sexual health charities.
These charities said children should be taught the names of body parts and about sex and relationships. So now we parents are compelled to confuse our toddlers, where the widgy now becomes a penis and the tuppence a vagina? Come on, "your avin a laugh aint yer." Four year old children need to have a life and not taught how to create one. Is curiosity not to blame for many an unwanted pregnancy? Give a child a gun they will use it - get my drift.
I am aware and fully understand the importance of this invaluable information on sex education, and believe that every child should be enlightened of the dangers, but only when the time is right. General education is of the most vital for our children to excel in life, but cramming too much knowledge into a tiny brain, can only but damage. Let us take one step at a time for Pete's sake. Show me a 4 year old that can follow the instructions on a condom packet if not been taught how to read.
Another comment in favour of sex education for 4 year olds went onto say that young people will find information and if we don't give it to them in a responsible way, they'll find it from elsewhere. Of course they will like most other things in life. It is true we learn from others, but let those others be mom and dad. Parents know their own children best and therefore qualify to determine at what age their child will understand about sex relations. Children differ greatly in the department of learning. We we have those that pick up things more quickly than others. When I say pick up. I sure do not mean a contraceptive pill or a condom, more like their dolly and toy soldiers.
Ministers in Scotland and Wales say they have no plans to make sex relation lessons compulsory at the moment. Could these ministers have children? It's like the midwife who shouts at the breathless woman on the labour bed to cut out screaming while giving birth, only then do we find out she herself is childless (not all.) If these people care for the welfare of our children, then they should know innocent four year old toddlers wish not to think about "foreplay in the dark" but to "play in the park."
I am a strong believer in nipping something in the bud, but in this case please let our babies' have time to blossom.
Hi Kacy I think sex ed should be an organic thing. When a child asks a question, an age appropriate answer should be given. I wouldn't want a compulsory sex ed taught to my 4 yr old. One big issue is that some parents won't or don't teach sex ed to their kids and that can lead to awful trouble. I think it can even make them more vulnerable to abusers, because they don't have the awareness of what is inappropriate or the certainty of being able to discuss anything they need to with their parents or a safe person. Surely the programs would be more age appropriate than teaching 4 yr olds about condoms etc, but it's still too young for compulsory sex ed. I do believe in teaching littles the right names for body parts though. It's a bit repressive to only teach them made up names, but it's okay to tell them other people use those words for parts. I have grand kids now and I'm pleased to say that this method has worked well for all of them. Even as young adults, negotiating the dating world, all my kids felt comfortable and able to come and discuss issues with me. So different to my own experience growing up, which included sexual abuse. I didn't intend to leave my kids ignorant to what others could coerce or force them into, but I also didn't want to scare them or confuse them. I wanted them to feel safe in who they were and the only way to do that is to help them learn in an age appropriate, open, relaxed way. It's no different, or less important, than teaching them to eat vegetables instead of junk food.
Hi Hannah and thank you for your input on the matter. I agree with all you say. Yes there are many parents who don`t teach their kids, so therefore the importance of sex education in our schools, however like you and me both on which we both agree, is, "when the time is right" Have a nice day Hannah Kacy
While I don't think a child of four needs to know the nitty gritty details of sex, I don't have a problem with age appropriate sex education. From day one with both of my children, a penis was a penis and a vagina was a vagina. They are body parts, same as your nose, same as your arm, same as your big toe. It is when kids are curious and things are shrouded in mystery that you run into problems. If you keep things age appropriate, simple and to a depth that they are able to understand, I have no problem with it. I grew up in a family where I hid my first period, wouldn't dream of discussing birth control with either parent and was basically embarrassed by anything having to due with sexuality or puberty. It was because these things just weren't talked about in my family. I vowed that I would teach my children from an early age to be comfortable with their bodies and to come to us, their parents, instead of misinformed peers, for information regarding sex and sexuality.
Hear Hear Susan if all parents were like you our kids would not have to be enlightened on this matter from another source, however and sadly to say not many mom and dads are - so therefore I agree with you that sex education in schools is of the utmost importance. I too grew up in a household just like you where in silent thought this was a taboo subject. Thank you for commenting Kacy
Has sex ed in our schools improved outcomes? NO. We have more teen pregnancies than ever before and it's rising. Why? Because they don't teach morals and values along with it. Some articles on educating toddlers about sex are disturbing. Let children be innocent and children as long as possible, teach them to be moral and responsible people. When they have that foundation then at an appropriate age you can introduce sex ed. Our educational system is failing because of the egghead psychologists and liberal agenda that the teachers are forced to follow.
Hi M Bear you are so right and I hope more people get to read what you write because you have pointed out things in your comment like the above other comments like "egghead psychologists and liberal agenda that the teachers are forced to follow"Thank you for your input and you and yours stay safe.Kacy