Should Parents answer their children's question about sexual topics honestly?

[Shedrack A]

I believe it is essential for parents to educate their children about sexual matters. Without proper guidance, children may end up learning about sex and sexuality from unreliable sources, such as the media or peers, which may lead to misunderstandings and potentially harmful behaviors.

[Charless Agbata]

I agree with you
Parents should be free in discussing sex-related topics with their children. It will also enable their children to be free to ahare any sort of sexual abuse arising from any person

[Bettny Andrade]

Yeah. I think that questions about sexuality should be answered by parents. Of course, you must have enough communication and trust so that children can feel safe asking you a question like that.

Assertive communication is a fundamental role, and also one's own maturity, to be able to express the meaning of whatever they ask in the best way and with the level of respect that this entails.

[Bettny Andrade]

Lying to children is not healthy. Children need responsible adults who may be able to guide them.

It is alarming the misconceptions that a child can grow up with when their parents do not want to tell them about a subject (especially if it is about sex, and all the subjects), and they evade it, or simply the adults lie.

[Justin Christensen]

I can't imagine being anything but honest with my kids, but I also don't know that I have to give them every little detail when they ask a question. My oldest is 5 and (so far) she totally gets it when I tell her that some things she has to wait until she's bigger to learn/do/talk about, but I try hard not to just avoid her questions and I have been able to avoid being dishonest with her so far. Well, except for about Santa Claus... that's a lie that I can get behind!

[Catalina Isabel]

Yes, it is always better to be honest but in an age appropriate way. If we fail to answer our kid's questions, they will still find assets elsewhere. It's better to create an open and honest relationships with our kids which fosters trust.

[Claire Twy]

I agree with the author that parents should always answer their children's questions about the body and sexual topics honestly. A funny story aside from this: When my son was around six years old, he asked me how babies got inside their mommy's stomach. Being a 'modern' mother, I explained to my son. Later that day, when we stopped by MY mom's house, he ran in and said, "Grandma, do you know where babies come from?" My mom was shy and would have never talked about such things to her grandchildren, so she was shocked that I had! Despite that, I believe we need to be as honest as possible based on their age and ability to understand. What do you think?

I think honesty is important but at the same time, it depends on the child's age. I would not have liked my innocence to be sullied at the ripe old age of six years old if when I had asked my mother how children were made, she gave me the full, graphic story instead of the simple 'God gave them to me' answer I received.

[Brenda Creech]

I agree with the author that parents should always answer their children's questions about the body and sexual topics honestly. A funny story aside from this: When my son was around six years old, he asked me how babies got inside their mommy's stomach. Being a 'modern' mother, I explained to my son. Later that day, when we stopped by MY mom's house, he ran in and said, "Grandma, do you know where babies come from?" My mom was shy and would have never talked about such things to her grandchildren, so she was shocked that I had! Despite that, I believe we need to be as honest as possible based on their age and ability to understand. What do you think?

I think honesty is important but at the same time, it depends on the child's age. I would not have liked my innocence to be sullied at the ripe old age of six years old if when I had asked my mother how children were made, she gave me the full, graphic story instead of the simple 'God gave them to me' answer I received.

Absolutely! I didn't give my son a "full, graphic story," I was very selective with my terminology. And in our current times perhaps we need to be honest as opposed to what the schools are teaching our children!

[Shanesha Sammerson]

Yes, parents should answer their children's questions about sexual topics honestly and age-appropriately. Being open and honest about sex and sexuality can help children develop a healthy and positive attitude towards their own bodies and relationships.

It is important to remember that children will ask questions about sex and sexuality at different ages and stages of development, so it is essential for parents to be prepared to answer these questions in an age-appropriate manner. For example, young children may simply want to know where babies come from, while older children and teenagers may have questions about sexual health, contraception, and relationships.

It is also important for parents to create a safe and supportive environment where children feel comfortable asking questions without fear of judgement or shame. This can help children develop a healthy attitude towards sex and sexuality and feel more confident and empowered to make informed decisions about their own sexual health and relationships in the future.

[Olivia Bird Whitworth]

I agree that parents should be honest in answering their children's questions about anything, including sex. One of the things I like about this book is the first chapter which clearly describes the physiology of male and female reproduction and the process of creating a pregnancy. As adults and parents, we know how it goes, but how many of us can honestly say we have a sound knowledge of all these details? Understanding the technology of sex makes it much easier for us to be honest with our children and provide reasonable answers that won't confuse them.

I also really liked the first chapter of this book! I have a daughter who isn't talking yet, but I think about how I might explain things to her somehow when she starts asking. I hadn't come up with a good way to do it yet, but after reading this book I feel better. I liked that the description of where we come from started with a sperm meeting an egg, and explaining that one comes from dad and one from mom, as opposed to feeling like we need to start the conversation with sex or avoid the topic entirely.

[Anil G]

I think we all should educate our children with this knowledge of reproduction and menstruation and not just about sex but also about the other body parts. Children's curiosity increases because their guardians neglect them and then they try to find out on their own that's when they make mistakes and it might become trauma or anything else. I must say, for their betterment and good upbringing, they need to be learned enough.

[Abbie Braun]

I think that parents definitely need to discuss sex with their children. If as a parent you shy away from such subjects, the children learn that it's not okay to talk about and they may end up in dangerous situations. Having a clear understanding of the body, how it works, what feels good, and what doesn't feel good is vital information. However, there is a time and a place to discuss sex and the body. Additionally, there is a certain age for these subjects to be discussed. I would never explain sex in full gory detail to a six year old. I would filter the information based on the child's understanding.

[Mellino Itz]

Just like you said it depends on the age and how matured the child is. However as parents if we don't tell our kids the truth do we expect others outside to do that? I think it is best we are honest so we can secure their trust on matters about sex.

[Oyedeji Funmilayo]

I agree that parents should answer children's question about sexuality honestly but in ways they can easily comprehend. I appreciate how you were honest with your son and understand why grandma didn't discuss the topic. That mentality is one good thing the author addressed in the book.

[Slayton Natasha Tillett]

There is nothing to hide about sex. Children should be enlightened about sex so even when they are being molested the would realize it and able to report to the appropriate people. Lack of this knowledge would make them think it is normal.