After I saw this Tedx talk, by sexuality educator Marnie Goldenberg, I wanted to stand up and applaud. I didn’t, because I was watching on my laptop in the middle of a crowded cafe, but I did post it all over my Twitter and Facebook, and now I’m sharing it with all of you. Marnie’s message—that we need to talk to our kids about sex, early and often—is so very important.
Young people today have unprecedented access to sexual imagery and content. And while I’m definitely not opposed to sexually explicit media, I know a lot of what’s out there can leave youth with inaccurate, narrow ideas of what sex can be. Restricting our kids’ exposure to that kind of content is one strategy, but in my opinion, talking to them honestly about sex, love, and relationships is a much more effective way to help kids grow into sexually healthy people. As parents and caregivers, we can create an environment where these topics are part of the ongoing conversations of everyday life. Teach kids to look at media with a critical eye. Help them figure out the difference between sexual fantasy and sexual reality.
It’s a fifteen minute talk, so grab a cup of tea, sit back, and listen to Marnie Goldenberg’s brilliant thoughts about the importance of Sex Talk.
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