With summer starting to wind down, many people are getting into the back-to-school mindset. Think back to your health/sex ed class days. What was it like? What messages did you receive? Over the decades, there have been some big shifts in the way we approach sexuality.
I love this clip from Comedy Central’s Alternatino (Youtube). While I do not believe talking with your child about sexuality is just one conversation, this clip is a great example of the generational differences that can pop up when we have conversations about this topic. We have a lot to learn from each other. However, the main message is that we are all sexual beings and have the right to comprehensive, medically accurate, and age-appropriate sexuality education.
“Non-binary, agender, intergender, FTX, gender fluid people. There’s more than just boys and girls now, Dad. And they’re not girls; they’re women.”
Also, major studies report that good parent-child communication around sexuality results in positive effects for children, including:
- delayed initiation of sexual intercourse
- increased self-reliance and self-esteem
- lower sexual risk behaviors
- and better contraception use
We are here to help since we know that talking with your children about sexuality can be a difficult task. Check out our 4-module online course, Talking With Your Kids: Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality, which offers a nuts-and-bolts approach to discussing sexuality and responding to behaviors. Like so many others, you will come away feeling more skillful, comfortable, and confident.