It is quite beneficial that stigma now has less impact and is decreased when addressing sexuality education. This practice allows the youth to be healthier, accept their sexuality as a normal process of human development, build strong relationships, and be aware of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the best ways to talk about sex with one’s kids and outline some programs and policies related to sex education.
To begin, it is vital to notice that parents should use clear and direct communication and real terms, avoiding hints and slang words that can confuse their children. Further, such discussions should be an ongoing process, and each short talk has to happen in a convenient and quiet place where kids will be comfortable listening and asking questions (WebMD Editorial Contributors, 2021). Some important elements for parents to consider are sharing their own puberty experiences and explaining what sexual abuse, safe sex practices, and STIs are. When referring to teachers educating their students about sex, it is required for them to keep the explanations brief and more factual and introduce a way for kids to ask questions anonymously.
There are some programs and policies that guide sexual education. For instance, the 1981 Adolescent Family Life Act funds different U.S. organizations that create and conduct sex education programs (Nott, 2020). At a state level, the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA) defines how children should be educated about sex and other related matters (California Sexual Health Education Roundtable, n.d.). These acts and programs they fund are of increased importance as they help raise the levels of awareness.
To conclude, the value of sex education in the U.S. cannot be overestimated. When discussing sex with their kids, parents need to be calm and invested, covering the required topics and encouraging children to ask questions. At the same time, teachers’ explanations should be more factual. Different policies, including the Adolescent Family Life Act and the California Healthy Youth Act, help parents and teachers be more aware of the best ways to talk about sex.
References
California Sexual Health Education Roundtable. (n.d.). California healthy youth act (CA education code sections 51930‐51939): Frequently asked questions [PDF document]. Web.
Nott, R. (2020). Adolescent family life act (1981). The Embryo Project Encyclopedia. Web.
WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2021). Talking to your kids about sex. WebMD. Web.