What the “Sex Talk” Looks Like Now

With summer winding 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 others who have completed the course, you will come away feeling more skillful, comfortable, and confident.

By Katherine McLaughlin

Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Trainer for Elevatus Training. She has been a sexuality educator and trainer for over 30 years. As a national expert on sexuality and intellectual and developmental disabilities, she trains professionals and parents, as well as people with I/DD, to become sexual self-advocates and peer sexuality educators.⁠