Lack of sex education for children could result in their being victims of violence or sexual abuse perpetrated by adults. Parents – as opposed to any other adult -- should be the first persons to provide sex education to their children.

Children’s curiosity about sex is a natural extension of their learning about their body. It also helps them feel positive about the biological changes they see taking place in themselves.  While it may have been awkward to talk about sex in olden days, that is no longer the case now, thanks to children’s constant exposure to media.  And, you will be relieved to hear that younger kids in general are more interested in pregnancy and babies, than the mechanics of sex.

Discussing about sex with your child should be seen within the context of the communication system that is already in place at your home. Early, honest, and open communication between parents and kids is important, especially when your child becoming an adolescent.  It is a continuous process.  If open communication is the norm at home, kids are also more likely to speak with parents about their other trials and turbulences of becoming adolescents, such as depression, relationship issues, and drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual issues. 

Beginning the conversation about sex early and continuing that conversation as the child grows is the best strategy for sex education. It lets parents avoid having one big, and likely uncomfortable, talk when the child reaches adolescence, when they have already gotten information and misinformation from their friends, and when they have already formed their minds. 

Learning about sex from somewhere else such as school, and the media

A child’s exposure to information about sex begins much earlier than many parents imagine. When parents talk with their children about sex, they can be sure that their children are getting the right information that is in their best interest.  Parents should be their children’s first source of information about sex.

Parents should not rely only on the school system to teach sex education. If your children’s school has sex education as part of its curriculum, review the material with them. Ask them what they learnt. What a child learns from friends at the school is in all likelihood incomplete, incorrect, and perhaps even demeaning, (especially to women) and even dangerous.

Giving sex education is safer than no sex education

Studies show that the more children are exposed to sexual images in the media, the more likely they will engage in sexual experiments at an earlier age. However, the actual sex education does not lead to promiscuity. Children who receive sex education at home are actually less likely to engage in risky sexual activities. So turn off the television, and start talking.

Instilling family values

Sex education also provides an opportunity to instill family values in your kids. For example, if you come from a family that believes intercourse should be saved for marriage this can be part of your discussions about sex. If the subject has never come up before, there is a significant risk that your child -- especially teenagers -- will not be receptive to this message. So start early, and try to impart your values to your children through your own good example.

Having an open communication with children about sex and other matters is healthy and safe in long run. This does not necessarily mean that the conversations will be easy or you will not have awkward moments, or you condone any sexual activity. However, parent’s imparting sex education to their children early in life increases the likelihood that when the children become teenagers, they will approach parents, instead of their friends or strangers when they face difficult or dangerous sex-related situation.