Parental Guidance - Birds and the Bees

Tonight’s episode of ‘Parental Guidance’ has left me with some profound thoughts. The episode reiterated to me that we can’t entirely prevent our kids from using the Internet or encountering certain content at school or with friends. However, we can certainly educate them on how to stay safe in these digital spaces.

During the show, it became evident that the parents who maintained open communication with their children tended to have better results in the tests conducted to compare different parenting styles and their impact on the children's outcomes.

Dr. Justin Coulson highlighted that teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 have the highest consumption of pornographic material online. He also mentioned that the average age of exposure to such content is 11, emphasising the importance of starting conversations about these topics around the age of 9. Additionally, Dr. Coulson reiterated the concerning lack of reproductive education. This aligns with my thoughts in my latest blog article, where I discuss the need for comprehensive reproductive education in schools and how parents can play a crucial role in filling this gap. With better education in schools and guidance for parents on how to approach these discussions, we can help children develop more realistic expectations about relationships and sex, rather than relying solely on pornographic content or misinformation about sex that is prevalent on the internet.

Consumption of pornographic material often creates unrealistic ideas about sexual relationships. I wonder if by opening up the conversation, we can better teach our kids how to consume online content responsibly.

It’s worth noting that pornographic material has become much more intense in recent years compared to the ’70s when many of our parents were growing up. This highlights the need for ongoing conversations and education.

I noticed a significant discussion surrounding the different standards society holds for girls and boys regarding sexuality during the ‘18+ content pop-up’ test. Girls often face judgment and stigma for being sexual and explicit. Sex shaming remains prevalent and as someone who has personally experienced it, I'm passionate about addressing this topic in my blog and podcast.

Furthermore, I discovered that some of the parents lacked basic knowledge about the anatomy of the human body and they even felt uncomfortable discussing it with their children. This is truly astonishing to me. Initiating conversations by labeling them as ‘uncomfortable’ already sets a problematic tone and can hinder discussions about consent and other crucial aspects.

One key takeaway from the 'gentle parents' was the importance of teaching children the proper names of body parts. This allows them to articulate any potential harm accurately, should an unfortunate incident occur. Ensuring our children know the correct names of their body parts should be a priority, if nothing else.

Overall, tonight’s episode has reinforced the significance of education and open dialogue when it comes to navigating the online world and addressing sensitive topics such as sexual education with our children.

Let’s work towards a future where we educate our children about the realities of relationships and sex in a balanced and informed manner. By addressing the gaps in sex education, fostering open communication and providing accurate information, we can empower the next generation to make healthy and informed choices.