NYCGori and others, i wish i could understand why diuscussing pregnancy within family is a taboo. My parents were horrified when i shared our good news with my siblings. They called and talked to my husband about it who didnt agree with sharing either but went with it since it was my wish. I didnt like it much but did keep sharing my scans etc with the siblings. Since my baby is the first one in the family, they were super excited and i didnt want to rob them of it. I mean they could obviously see i was pregnant so why ignore it?
I only have brothers. They've been so excited about this baby and would be really hurt if I didn't share the scans (especially cuz in the 12 week one I was certain baby looked like my youngest brother) or the baby stuff with them. They suggest names, ask how I'm feeling, stop by regularly to see if I need anything, etc. They've always been attentive brothers, but have become even more so since I've become pregnant (especially when they saw how sick I was at the beginning).
Certain aspects of sex education really should start as soon as the child is out of diapers. They need to be told that certain parts of their bodies are private, that no one is to touch them there, no one should ever be allowed to remove their clothes etc. And what to do if someone tries.
The rest of it I think should be taught in age-appropriate fashion at a time before puberty starts. Just because a pre-pubescent learns about sex, that doesnt mean they'll start doing it! It all depends on what they are taught. But by not speaking about it you can put your kids in danger with AIDS and HIV - these days you literally take your life in your hands if you have unprotected sex. So as a parent, I want my boyz to be very aware of the risks, the responsibility and the moral issues of sex, that its something to be shared between a husband and wife. If you leave these topics for your kids to learn from sex ed at school and from friends on the street, you're asking for trouble!
^ Also just because a pre-pubescent takes the classes, doesn’t mean s/he really understands what’s going on. When I was 10 and had the class, I understood the basics, but I had some very silly notions about exactly what happens and how.
We had sex ed in the third or fourth grade. They split the boys and girls and each were given separate presentations. The subject matter consisted primarily of how the reproductive system works--nothing about the act of intercourse itself.
Funny thing is, I didn't even realize that I had a vagina until I was in 7th grade, when my period started. And I thought I had paid attention in class!
My parents though, never spoke about sex. All I was taught was that I couldn't do it. Parents really, really, really need to tell their children about sex. They need to be taught that it's not a dirty thing, that one should be not ashamed about it, but that it is a special thing shared with someone you love (wherein, if they love you they'd marry you first).
I can't emphasize enough how children should be taught that sex is special and NOT dirty. Having sex or any form of intimacy does not make you impure or damaged, and I think that girls especially need to know this. No one should go into marriage without a healthy respect for sex, and knowledge of it.
