The importance of talking about sex and sexual diversity with children

Talking to our children about sexual diversity in a way appropriate for their ages can help them understand the topic in a healthy way. And furthermore, we can encourage attitudes of respect and tolerance in them.

Sex, identity, and sexual diversity continue to be taboo topics in some families who still do not conceive that it is something every day and refer to homosexual relationships as something that is “not normal.” It is an important issue, especially at a time when countries like Hungary are prohibiting talking about homosexuality in schools. To have a society founded on respect and equality, we must begin to educate from the foundations and that is where children come in, as psychiatrist Karl Menninger said “What we give to children now, is what children will give to the future.” society".

But why do some parents still avoid talking about it with their children? Well, there are many reasons, but the main one is the fear that children will become confused or question their own gender identity or sexuality at an early stage of development.

Other parents may have personal or religious beliefs that are not aligned with sexual diversity and may fear that talking about it contradicts their values. In fact, there are still parents who do not feel comfortable talking about the topic with their children because they are not familiar with the concepts of sexual diversity. Due to ignorance or lack of information, they fear that they will not be able to adequately answer their children's questions.

The Ministry of Education has published a guide for mothers, fathers, and early childhood education teachers called “Early childhood sexual education”, which includes testimonies from teachers, parents and psychologists where they show the importance of explaining to children the diversity and sexual freedom, since, from a very young age, they begin to ask 'how are babies made?' or 'why doesn't my sister have the same thing as me down there?' The role of parents is to give answers to their questions according to age.

“Creatures are like sponges, they pay attention to everything they see and hear; They perceive feelings and thoughts beyond words. The models that see, perceive, and intuit are, therefore, very important. Becoming aware of these facts is the first step to begin to make this learning positive, and to help ensure that unhealthy, repressive or negative messages are not part of children's thinking," explains the guide from the Ministry of Education.

A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that children who grew up in home parental homes received better quality parenting and showed greater flexibility regarding gender roles, sexual diversity, and different types of families than children raised in families. of heterosexual couples. On the other hand, the study shows that almost 40% of young people between 13-24 years old who identified with the LGTBI movement (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) have seriously considered suicide in the last year.

Why should you teach sexual diversity to your children?

The importance of sexual education from the time they are infants is essential to prevent future social rejections and self-destructive behaviors in adolescents, which is why it includes the development of girls and boys as sexual beings in a healthy, free, happy, and responsible way. This purpose translates into the following objectives:

• Know, accept, and care for your own sexual body.
• Give meaning and meaning to the sexual body.
• Recognize and value sexual differences.
• Live and express sexuality in a relationship, that is, taking into account the other.

Acceptance of children as they are is a fundamental pillar so that they can build their sexuality in a healthy way. Psychologists and sexologists believe that “parents have to leave space for children to show themselves as they are and to discover and live their desires, no matter what they are.” The consequences of repressing sexual tendencies force children to feel as if they were monsters because what they desire or want is unacceptable, wrong, and not the “right” thing. Psychologists recommend stories to help parents start conversations that deal with sexual topics with their children. Some examples of stories are: “The Day of the Red Frog” or “Two Moms.”