Teaching sexual intimacy to children at the proper age is very important. Too many people in today's world believe that sexual intimacy before marriage is acceptable, and that it doesn't matter if teenagers or even children have sexual intimacy. This is not acceptable. Children should be taught by their parents (not another source) about sexual intimacy, but do so in an age- appropriate way.
For example, don't have the first thing you teach your children be about the ways or methods of sex. First teach them that they're body is special and that boys and girls have special parts of their body. Then teach about them about modesty and how we should cover up our special parts with clothes.
In Matthew O. Richardson's message on Teaching Chasity and Virtue, in the Ensign October 2012 Issue, he states, "Spiritual guidance will come as parents prayerfully and carefully observe their children's behavior, intentionally listen to their children, and take time to consider and discern when and what to teach."
To go along with this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an article on Teaching Children about Human Intimacy. In it, it states, "Opportunities to teach children arise naturally when parents encourage children to share experiences. 'Your children will hear of this subject in various ways. They may bring home...questionable stories or blunt questions about sex...The child's pace is usually the best indicator of how and when to proceed.'"
"The best way to teach children about sex is to [first,] teach that things are special, and then you can start to gently unfold the mechanics when it is age appropriate" (Michael Williams, my professor).
To go along with this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an article on Teaching Children about Human Intimacy. In it, it states, "Opportunities to teach children arise naturally when parents encourage children to share experiences. 'Your children will hear of this subject in various ways. They may bring home...questionable stories or blunt questions about sex...The child's pace is usually the best indicator of how and when to proceed.'"
"The best way to teach children about sex is to [first,] teach that things are special, and then you can start to gently unfold the mechanics when it is age appropriate" (Michael Williams, my professor).
Hello Brittany! I really like that you emphasized how the true indicator is the child and how they will give you clues as to what they are ready to hear about. And I agree 100% about where to start and the statement from Brother Williams. Do you think that the time to share information is different now than 50 years ago? Or do you think it has always been the same age just the media speeds up the process slightly?
ReplyDeleteGreat work!
Maddison Dillon
That is a good question...but I would have to say that the media speeds it up. There are so many things that are on television that either mention sexual things, show it happening, or there are innuendos about it. I think that 50 years ago, sexual intimacy was more of a private and personal thing, and today, you hear a reference to it almost everywhere you go.
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