There is a vital need for sexuality education among American children with nearly 1.1 million teenagers become pregnant every year and the ever-increasing rise in AIDS cases among individuals between 13 years to 24 years. Research confirms that about three million teens are infected with sexually transmitted diseases annually (Schroeder, 1992) and these problems have caused serious concerns among parents, making them realize the importance of sexual education among children, beginning at early ages in their lives. With the knowledge “that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change” as a social worker, I aspire to “strengthen relationships” between parents and their children “in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the wellbeing” of families (NASW, 2008).
Today’s fast-paced world and lifestyle have made parents busier, leaving very little time for their children and families. Moreover, topics regarding human sexuality are particularly embarrassing, nevertheless, extremely crucial. Research indicates that sexual discussions should be part of a developmental process within the family (Chilman, 1990). It is therefore particularly important for parents to build a rapport with children so that they share their intimate thoughts and feelings with them.
The appropriate understanding and knowledge of the sexual orientations and behaviors of children are extremely necessary to recognize sexually related problems and behaviors among children. Chilman (1990) has argued that sexuality develops from birth and is fostered by the family throughout all life stages. It is necessary to speak to young children and introduce them to some of the important topics regarding sexual orientation so that they are appropriately prepared for any situation or circumstance in life. Speaking to children will enable adults to guide them so that they are able to distinguish inappropriate and harmful sexual behaviors which could otherwise have dangerous effects.
In the paper, the researcher aims to undertake social work with children so that children are able to distinguish and report inappropriate sexual behavior, which can only be possible if children have the knowledge and understanding of such behaviors and the changes their bodies undergo as they grow older. Children should not have any kind of fear when conversing with parents about sexually related topics as this inhibition could result in children hiding some important facts from parents. Thus, speaking to children about delicate but important issues with sexual orientation is vital.
This paper aims to propose social work with children and their parents to address the need for a comprehensively planned sexual education to facilitate sexual communication between parents and their children and adolescents so that they are aware of their bodies and the consequences of early sexual behaviors on their lives.
Literature Review
Parental communication with children about sexuality is confirmed to be helpful as communication between the parents and children has the potential to reduce the frequency of adolescent sexual activity and to increase the likelihood of using contraception (Fisher, 1993). In the current scenario of young teenage girls becoming mothers and the rapid increase in AIDS cases and sexually transmitted diseases, parents and families are becoming increasingly worried and concerned about the future of their children (McGregor, 2002). As such, there is a greater “need for sexuality education” among children for which it is vital for parents to take an active part in the sexual education of children, at an early age.
Researchers have confirmed the responsibility and impact of parents and family members in the sexual choices of children and adolescents and the “age of sexual debut” of children (Pick et al., 1995). Additionally, it has also been proven that poor interpersonal relations between parents and children are the most significant factor in determining adolescent pregnancies and the sexual activity of children and adolescents (Pick et al., 1995). Thus, reluctance or delay on behalf of the parents in discussions pertaining to important sexually related topics could lead to misinformation in their teens as children “may have already turned to peers for information” which could negatively affect their lives (Simanski, 1998). It is therefore extremely crucial that sexual education begins at an early age when the parents have a considerable impact and influence over children.
Unsafe and early sexual practices among children could result in some of the most long-lasting and terrible consequences due to are early pregnancies and AIDS with “more than half of kids in the U.S. engaging in sexual intercourse before the age of 18”. This makes America with twice the number of teen pregnancies as any other developed country. There are also a number of factors that are responsible for the problems of teen pregnancy and AIDS among children, with the primary factor being “lack of supervision”, due to the many “single income” and “two-income households” (McGregor, 2002).
While the government and the media are taking important steps to educate parents and children alike regarding the ill effects of early and unsafe sex, it is also the responsibility of social workers to taking initiatives to educate children on some of these topics. Social workers must educate parents that all measures of sex prevention must begin at home with the parents taking the first important step and initiating discussions with their children regarding important sexual topics. It is crucial for parents to share their “moral beliefs and concerns” with their children as early as possible so that their viewpoints can make a suitable impact on them and children will have these “values in mind when faced with peer pressure and strong desires later” in life (McGregor, 2002).
Parents must break the ice with their children and begin discussions on topics pertaining to sex and sexually related matters. Parents must, at all times provide accurate information to their children and must begin instilling their values and thoughts at an early age as kids below the age of twelve years “are more easily influenced by their parents’ feelings” (McGregor, 2002).
It is extremely crucial to begin educating children about sex at very early ages and research has indicated that sexual knowledge must start “as early as kindergarten” (Elders, 1999). It is important that children are “taught to respect their bodies” and “feel good about themselves” (Elders, 1999). Early sexual education would also enable children to “make decisions that are right for them” like using self-protection when they are old enough to make sexual choices (Elders, 1999). Ideally speaking, parents ought to begin educating their children about sex, and this sexual orientation program must begin in the initial years of childhood including “very young kids”. Children should be aware that “anytime anyone touches you in a way you don’t want to be touched, even if it is your parents, you have to tell somebody” and this important education not only “needs to start in kindergarten, but also needs to be repeated and reinforced”.
As children begin to grow older they should be taught about gender differences. Girls should be explained about the menstrual cycle and must be educated that “if they choose to be sexually active they can get diseases or get pregnant”. They should also be clearly explicated that by indulging in unsafe and unprotected sex even the first time, they can get pregnant. As children grow older and begin to reach the age of puberty, they should be told that boys and girls share equal “responsibility for their sexuality” and must also be educated about “date rape” and “birth control”. They should also be taught that having sex is a risk to the partners, due to sexually transmitted diseases and becoming a parent (Elders, 1999).
It is also extremely crucial for parents to take the lead and provide accurate information to their children so that they have the opportunity to “shape a child’s first impressions about sex and contraception” (The Denver Post, 2008). By doing so, parents would be casting the first and foremost impression on their child, which may not be favorable if the child is informed through friends or television. Parents should discuss topics related to early teen pregnancies and must use the media or television to initiate such conversations. Discussing with the child would enable the parents to cast their personal views on the topic and at the same time, they would also be able to understand the child’s views.
Methodology
Realizing the importance of sexual communication between parents and children, I aim to conduct a thorough review of the literature available, to educate parents. The literature review shall be conducted by analyzing the current, peer-reviewed sources in order to develop a thorough understanding of the problem and the best means of developing a solution to address the problem. Accepting the significance of parents in this project, I aim to initiate it by conducting meetings and get-togethers at schools, to educate parents regarding the seriousness of the issue. I also plan to introduce and explicate the problem and the desired outcomes to schools and parents with the help of a PowerPoint presentation. This would help me to summarize the crucial aspects, and help in making it more interesting.
Through prior experience with social work, I aim to highlight the effectiveness of healthy and educational communication between parents and children. Parents must be advised to spend time with their children and the families should have their meals together. Parents must also know what their children are doing and who their friends are so that they have knowledge of the whereabouts and activities of their children. It is extremely crucial for parents to know that spending quality time with children and have family get-togethers ensures a sense of bonding so that children find their parents available to talk to, in times of trouble and needs. Personal and cultural values of parents must be often communicated to children so that children are given the much-needed moral guidance which they seek from their parents.
I aim to discuss with parents to focus the many benefits of discussions between parents and children at an early age regarding sexuality so that children become more aware of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. The healthy discussions will also serve to unite and bond the family so that the parents find it easier to inculcate values and morals among their children. It is therefore important for parents to raise their children by inculcating the important cultural and moral values and develop self-confidence in them so that they are able to combat the temptations of the modern world, by effectively explaining to them the after-effects of their decisions and judgments.
References
- Chilman, C. (1990). Promoting healthy adolescent sexuality. Family Relations, 39, 123-131.
- Elders, Joycelyn (1999). “Sex Education Should Be Taught in Schools.” At Issue: Sex education. Tamara L. Roleff. San Diego: Greenhaven Press.
- Fisher, T. (1993). A comparison of various measures of family sexual communications: Psychometric properties, validity, and behavioral correlates. Journal of Sex Research, 30(3), 229-238.
- McGregor, Sheri (2002). “Parents Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy.” Contemporary Issues Companion: Teens and Sex. Immell, Myra H. San Diego: Greenhaven Press.
- NASW, (2008). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social workers.
- Pick, Susan, and Patricia Andrade Palos (1995). “Impact of the family on the sex lives of adolescents.” Adolescence 30.n119 : 667(9). Academic One File. Gale. MIAMI DADE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
- Schroeder, P. (1992). Toward effective and family friendly national policies for U.S. children and their families. Denver University Law Review, 69(3), 303-314.
- Simanski, Julia Weeks (1998). “The birds and the bees: an analysis of advice given to parents through popular press.” Adolescence 33.n129: 33(13).
- The Denver Post (Denver, CO) (2008)”Talking to your kids about sex. (FRONT PAGE)”: A-13.