At what age should we talk to boys about girls and sex?

Answer 1

Give them honest answers suitable for their age whenever they ask questions.

In this day and age with all the media hype and things that they learn from classmates, even as young as kindergarten you should combat the issue with age appropriate answers and arm them with information, of course age appropriately, that will help them to make a decision when you are not there.

Like at age five if they ask where babies come from, forget the old stork story, let them watch a nature show that shows animals getting together or tell them that a mommy and a daddy, have a special love that helps to make a baby. As they grow and especially with all the misinformation they get out there from other kids, who are not monitored or given the right info, you correct the info, honestly and gently.

If you're talking about dating and sex then I would say that by age eight or nine they should know from you about reproduction, you don't have to get into the sexual acts information, just about the human bodies and what happens when two people get together.

When they become 11/12 then it is time to have the conversation about how feelings and love and emotions should come into play when sex is involved. Like, "Honey, I need to have a talk with you about something. I want you to be as informed as possible because there is so much misinformation out there. I know we have had the talk about how the human body works but the emotional end of it brings a new level of responsibility.

Explain how two people should be old enough to take on what comes with the responsibility of sex.

• That he should not want to "do it" just because everyone else is and that not everyone is really "doing it" they say that to fit in and peer pressure is a big factor in it.
• That his body is the one thing in this world that he alone can completely control and should never take it for granted.
• That sex between two people should have special meaning and never be done for fun until you are financially able to take on the responsibilities that can possibly result from a pregnancy.
• That he should have respect for himself and for girls and not look at them as a sexual object but look at them for the person they are and that is how you pick your special person when you get much older to cope with the emotional end of a relationship.

I know this may sound like too much and you should adjust it to the way you currently speak to your child but boys these days see so much crap in the media and a lot are allowed too watch inappropriate shows that show a women as a sexual object, especially Music Videos. There is a great book put out by Newmarket Press called, The What's Happening to My Body for Boys written by Lynda Madaras. I gave this to my son and we discussed certain things that he felt comfortable with and I asked if he had or ever has any questions to come to his father or me. I keep the lines of communication open at all times and when an opportunity arises for me to point out something I take it. Good luck and don't be fearful of saying the wrong thing, the best thing we can arm our children with is the right information.....!

When they start asking questions ! This can happen very young, when they go to infant school or when they start juniors. It may not happen at all ! A lot of kids will not ask questions because they are embarrassed. High schools do give information on sex and councelors are sometimes available to answer questions of concern and give advice on all aspect of the subject. You can always start the subject off about sex and see if they are interested in listening when they get to 10 or 11-years-old if they have not asked anything by then. Don't force feed any information on them though.

Answer 2

When you think they're old enough to understand, and have started dating.

Sex education, at home needs to start well well before you think the child is ready to start dating. By then, it is quite likely the child may have already started experimenting.

Sex education should start when they are quite young, with the parents sharing their views and morals. There should be no question about sex, Birth Control and STD prevention that the child cannot discuss, the way to do this is by having open, age appropriate discussions as soon as the child is old enough to understand.

Answer 3

I feel there's not a certain age where you can talk to your child about sex, but you can talk to them about probably like in the sixth or seventh grade. Also, speakers will be coming to the school talking about it and how to practice safe sex. So, even if you don't discuss it with them someone will.

Answer 4

When you think that they will understand and take it seriously.

It depends on the child.