Family Health February 2010
LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX
Do YOU know how much - or how little - your children know about
sex? With teen pregnancies and incidences of sexually transmitted
infections at an all-time
high, it's more important than
ever to talk to your children
Walk into any
eight-year-old girl's birthday party, and chances are, the room
will be full of mini-Britneys, gyrating like pole dancers to the
latest sexy track. They'll be wearing vests, tiny skirts and
make-up - and while the scene is disturbing, it's being played
out all over Britain, as our children are encouraged by TV,
fashion, celebrities, advertising and each other, to become
sexualised at an increasingly early age. And while, for now, they
may be content simply to play at an inappropriate version of
adulthood, statistics suggest that by their early teens, many are
embarking on sexual experimentation, lacking any in-depth sex
education, or any awareness of the negative consequences of sex,
whether emotional or physical.
Of course, children have always been fascinated by the idea of
'what grown-ups do' - playing 'Doctors and Nurses'
is as old as the profession itself - but the big difference over
the past two decades is adult acceptance of childhood
sexualisation.
Ever since the Spice Girls appeared in the
mid-90s, marketing Girl Power directly at 'tweenagers',
it's somehow been acceptable for five year olds to wear bikinis
and nine year olds to demand makeover parties. Meanwhile, as porn
sneaks into the mainstream, with teenage-friendly ranges of
clothing emblazoned "Playboy" and "Porn Star",
and Jordan's meteoric rise making 'glamour model' the
top career choice for 14-year-old girls, it's hardly surprising
that by 11 or 12, they're expecting their first kiss - often
closely followed by a whole lot more. Boys, too, aren't immune,
with magazines such as Nuts and Zoo being passed round school, and
peer pressure suggesting it's uncool to be a virgin after the
age of 13.
To read more of this article please join Candis or look at page 50 of your February issue.
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Comments:
"I have just finished a speak-easy course held at my childrens primary school I would thoroughly recommend it to all parents. The course was very informative and I learnt loads. It also put me at my ease with regards to talking to my children openly and honestly about all aspects of sex and relationships. If the chance of attending one of these courses becomes available to you, please go!"
Colin Hennessey - Tuesday 26th Jan 2010