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Page last updated on:
April 21, 2010
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The Parent's
Role
Parents want to provide the guidance and
knowledge their children need to become
responsible and happy adults. Parents,
however, are sometimes afraid of talking
about sexuality with their children because:
-
They are uncomfortable
talking about reproductive body parts
and functions. For many parents, the
topic of sex never came up when they
were growing up.
-
They wonder if talking
about sexuality and reproduction will
encourage their children to experiment.
The fact is young people, whose parents
discuss all aspects of sexuality with
them, tend to delay becoming sexually
active, compared to those parents who do
not discuss this topic.
-
They are not sure what
their children need to know and at what
age they need to know it.
As parents, you are already
teaching your children many things about
sexuality and have been since the day they
were born. They learn from:
-
the way they are
physically touched by others
-
the way their bodies feel
to them
-
what your family believes
is okay and not okay to do
-
the words that family
members use (and don't use) to refer to
parts of the body
-
watching the
relationships around them
-
observing male/female
roles
They are also picking up a
great deal from outside the family whenever
they watch television, listen to music, and
talk with their friends.
Sex Vs.
Sexuality
What is the difference
between the two?
Sex:
The biological
characteristics that distinguish males and
females; the biological aspects of
reproduction and sexuality (Dimensions of
Human Sexuality, 1991).
Sexuality:
The World Health Organization (2004) defines
sexuality as a central aspect of being human
throughout life and encompasses sex, gender
identities and roles, sexual orientation,
eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and
reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and
expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires,
beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviour,
practices, roles and relationships. While
sexuality can include all of these
dimensions, not all of them are always
experienced or expressed. Sexuality is
influenced by the interaction of biological,
psychological, social, economic, political,
cultural, ethical, legal, historical,
religious and spiritual factors.
(Sexual Health – a new
focus for WHO, No.67, Department of
Reproductive Health and Research, World
Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland,
2004)
As Parents you teach
sexuality education, not sex education.
Parents have the chance to teach about the
broader concept of sexuality, not just
biology.
What is
Sexuality?
Sexuality is not just sexual
intercourse or sexual activity. Sexuality
has to do with:
-
being female or male, and
how females and males are alike and
different in the way they look and act;
-
how we view our bodies
and our relationships with each other;
-
how we grow and change
over the years;
-
who we are as women and
men (girls and boys); and
-
how we reproduce.
Sexuality (our feelings and
behaviours) is an important part of being
human, and healthy sexuality is an
important part of a person's overall health
and well being. Sexual health education is
key to providing children and youth with the
knowledge and skills they need to ensure
healthy sexual development.
Parents Have
a Chance to...
-
answer questions
honestly. Tell your children what they
want to know using words they can
understand.
-
provide correct
information. Studies show that young
people tend to obtain most of their
information (or misinformation) about
sexuality from friends.
-
start conversations. Some
children never ask about sexuality.
-
share their beliefs,
concerns and values. Your children need
to know where you stand.
-
help their children make
good decisions and stand by their
decisions.
Adapted from: 1. Association
for Sexuality Education and Training
(ASSET). (1993). Sexuality begins at home
(Brochure). Oak Harbour, WA:
Author. 2. Sex Education Coalition. (1992).
Tips for parents (Brochure). Silver Spring,
MD: Author.
Some FACTS
about Sexual Health Education
-
In 2000 a national survey
revealed that nearly half of Canadian
youth aged 15-19 are sexually active.1
-
It is estimated that 7.1%
of males and 5.5% of females aged 15 to
24 experience their first sexual
intercourse before the age of 15.2
-
Canadian youth have
stated that friends, siblings, and media
sources are the most common sources of
sexual health information.3
-
In a 2000 survey of
Albertans, 88% believed that more
prevention messages are needed to
prevent further spread of HIV.4
-
In the Calgary Region
(1999) 82% of parents with children aged
2-9, and 90% of parents with children
aged 10-17, reported occasionally or
often talking with their children about
relationships and sexuality.5
-
In a series of surveys of
Canadians, 85% of parents and 89% of
adolescents agreed that sexual health
education should be provided in the
schools.6
-
In the Netherlands (one
of the countries with the lowest teen
pregnancy rates), strategies that have
helped reduce teen pregnancy include
sexuality education, open discussion of
human sexuality in the mass media,
easier access to contraceptives,
education programs and active
participation of parents and teens in
such programs.7
-
Evaluations of
comprehensive sexual health education
programs reveal that they result in
postponement of first sexual
intercourse, decreases in the number of
partners, and significantly increases in
condom use.8
-
Sexual Health Education
is based on a hierarchy of preferred
sexual behaviour. Abstinence from sexual
activity for teenagers is preferred
because it is the only method that
ensures freedom from negative sexual
health consequences. Postponement of
initial sexual activity, adherence to
one sexual partner and protected sexual
intercourse are sequentially offered as
the next best alternatives.9
References:
1
Bibby,
R. (2001). Canada's Teens: Today, Yesterday,
and Tomorrow.
2 CRHA (1998). Health of the
Calgary Region, p. 173.
3 Canadian Journal of Public
Health (Jan-Feb, 2001). Completing the
Picture: Adolescents Talk About What's
Missing in Sexual Health Services.
4 AB Health and Wellness (2000),
HIV/Hepatitis C Issues in AB: The 2000
Survey of Adults, pp. 18, 20.
5 CRHA Population Health (1998).
Parents Survey.
6 SIECCAN Resource Document
(1998). Common Questions about Sexual Health
Education (cited from 1996 Canadian
studies).
7 Health Reports (Winter, 1997).
8 Health Canada (April 1998). STD
Epi Update-Oral contraceptive and Condom
Use. Online: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/lcdc/bah/epi/std511_e.html
9 CRHA Policy Position (1996).
Overview of Services, Education, p. A-10-1.
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