6 reasons why you should talk about sex with your children

While in Western society sex is ceasing to be a taboo subject, in many homes talking about it is still a complicated topic. Sex appears on television, in movies, in magazines, and even on billboards, but with doors to Inside, it is still an awkward and embarrassing topic, and many parents are reluctant to have these kinds of conversations with their children.

The world is changing a lot in the last decades due to the new technologies and the exposure and media impact that sex has, makes a correct sexual education necessary from the different educational agents, especially from the family. The classic way of having sex has given way to more diversified ways of relating sexually.

A study confirms the importance of talking about sex in the family

If you are a parent, you will be interested to know that a recent study has shown that talking to your children about sex is beneficial for them. This is especially important for teens, as treating sex as forbidden can negatively condition them for the rest of their lives. Correct sex education can prevent sexually transmitted diseases, sexual disorders, improve relationships in the future, etc., that is, it can improve both the emotional and physical health of your children and positively affect their well-being future.

A study conducted by Laura Widman of North Carolina State University and published in JAMA Pediatrics she claims that talking about sex with fathers, especially mothers, has a positive effect on the safer sexual behavior of adolescentsespecially among girls. To carry out the study, 52 studies from the last 30 years in which more than 25,000 adolescents had participated were reviewed.

Communication about sex between parents and children favors safe sex

The results of the study carried out by Widman and her collaborators confirm the positive effect of parent-child talks on sex. The association between communication with parents and the use of contraceptive methods in adolescents would be significantly more frequent in women than in men. Therefore, conversations focused on these topics are a protective factor for youth and it is the best way to prevent sexual behaviors that can affect the mental and physical health and well-being of adolescents.

Bad sexual practices and behaviors associated with risky attitudes is a major problem due to the risk of contagion of sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies. Therefore, communication between parents and adolescents is one of the factors that could lead to safer sexual relationships between young people, including the use of contraceptives. Unfortunately, this does not always happen due to embarrassment or ignorance.

Talking about sex with your children is protecting them

Laura Witman, the study director, explains: “Talking about sex with your children is one way to protect them. Starting these kinds of conversations, even though they may seem a bit uncomfortable, will help your child and will make him feel like they can trust you. " In addition, Witman adds: “In the study we found that the children of parents who spoke to them about topics such as condoms or sexually transmitted diseases, they were more likely to take precautions during sex. "

The study author also explains that the reason why talks about sex in the family are more productive between mother and daughter it is because women are easier to communicate than boys and men. On the other hand, "it could also be that society is more protective of girls in this sense, that is why parents try to protect them."

Regarding the role of parents in conversations about sex: “There is really little research in this line that is specifically focused on parents. Still, this study sends a message to parents: What they say to their children matters, ”says Witman.

Reasons to talk about sex with your children

Many parents still find it difficult to give their children a good sex education when they have not received it. Addressing this issue can be difficult and it is necessary to find the way and the way to be able to do it naturally. But it is necessary to address this issue in the family so that children can experience sexuality in all its fullness.

Since talking about sex with your children will benefit them, these are some of the reasons why you should do it:

• When children have questions, parents, because of their experience and because of their love for them, are the best source of answers.
• It can be traumatic for a child to go through their adolescence without being sexually prepared.
• Children need to learn about sex. Better to be educated by parents than to be rude from the media.
• When children do not have enough information, they are easily influenced.
• Talking about sex builds trust between parents and children.
• Children need to fully enjoy their sexuality without fear or insecurities.