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

[Brenda Creech]

I believe parents should be honest when talk to their kids about sexual topic because sometimes that knowledge could be the best weapon you could give them against molesters.

That's a very good thought! Thanks for commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

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.

Great comment! I agree wholeheartedly! Thanks for commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

Parents should be indeed honest, but in no way be explicit in their explanations. A child may be curious as to how the human reproductive system works, and parents may give their children a summary of the function of the system. However, the major problem arrives when your teen daughter asks you if she's old enough to have sex. How can one, that is a father, have the courage to sit down his daughter and give her a lesson on the dangers of adolescent sex without saddening her?

You make some very good comments! Thanks!

[Brenda Creech]

Yes parents should answer their children's question about sexual topics honestly. They don't have to give a lot of details in some answers. The level of details should be based on the child's age and development. But lying about the answers or ignoring the questions can fan the flame of curiosity and make the child seek those answers in places we don't approve.

I agree! And, yes, it does have to be based on the child's age. Some children ask questions sooner than others so it depends on their level of maturity too! Thanks for commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

I would say it depends on the age of the kid. You don't want to talk about sex with your kids too early on since it might ruin their childhood. I would say be honest but not in an explicit way. There is no reason to ever lie to your kid.

Absolutely! Thanks for commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

I think you did what you ought to do as a parent. Lying to them or refusing to engage them with such questions will lead to seeking the anders somewhere else, and what they learn outside may be destructively dangerous. Again, their confidence in discussing other issues will decrease.

I agree! And your last comment about their confidence decreasing after you have lied to them is absolutely right! Thanks for commenting!

[Huini Hellen]

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 agree with you that the age and comprehension abilities of our children should determine what kinds of truths they need to be told. I believe in "evolving lies", where for example on the issue of conception, the story sold out to a child keeps changing towards the truth, as they grow with age and maturity, so that they fully grasp what actually happens by the time they're of age and can understand conception.

[readingswithsoso]

I believe we need to be as honest as possible

Yes, I agree! We just need to adjust the answers to their age to not be confusing or overwhelming.

[Danielle Briggs]

I agree that parents should be honest with their children about sexual topics and try to explain things in a way they would understand. I think this would prevent confusion as children get older, and it could also help children recognize what is okay and not okay earlier. Honesty can also be helpful to children who are abused or assaulted since they can describe what is happening to them using real terms instead of the nicknames people use instead.

[Pauline Parnell]

Parents should always be honest, even when talking about the birds and the bees. The older generation is more dovish on the subject of sex than the younger generation. With the technological race going on, everyone must be up-to-speed when discussing sexual activities with their children. If we are not, then the internet will do so for us.

[Tracy Harris 1]

I think you should be honest with children's queries and in this day and age educate them, as well as yourself, as much as possible. This of course does need to be age appropriate for the child but open and honest communication is key to any relationship, including that of parent to child

[Ogunkoya Mayowa]

I believe a parent should answer their children's questions about sex because if they were to learn it from their mate or another person outside it will be more dangerous. This doesn't mean parents should give a lot of details about this, it has to be a moderate and straight-to-the-point answer.

[Maduabuchi Okwiya N Eze]

Children have tender minds, and as such are easily influenced. So, in doing anything with them, it is always better to be honest with them and while at that take care to explain certain things to them or the reason behind the curtain.

[Chiwelite Obioma Mgbeoji]

I believe parents should answer their children's questions regarding these topics honestly. They should learn from people who would tell them the truth and it would help children run back to their parents when they have questions instead of running to their peers.

[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 agree with you that the age and comprehension abilities of our children should determine what kinds of truths they need to be told. I believe in "evolving lies", where for example on the issue of conception, the story sold out to a child keeps changing towards the truth, as they grow with age and maturity, so that they fully grasp what actually happens by the time they're of age and can understand conception.

Those are some very valid ideas! Everything doesn't have to be told at once when they ask their first question! Thanks for commenting!