May 24, 2000
For the past few months, legislators, educators, and parents in Utah have been grappling with the issue of how and when to talk to children about sex.
All this month, we are bringing you a series of special Family Now reports on
"What Is the Right Age?"
Today, News Specialist Ruth Todd asks the question "What is the Right Age for talking to kids about sex?"
It's been a touchy subject for people in the Beehive State.
What is the right age to talk to kids about sex, and who should be the one doing the talking?
Experts suggest the earlier the better.
And that it is the parents' responsibility.
One expert says it should be the parents' responsibility, but it has become the school's duty by default.
Dr. Donald Strassberg/Psychologist: "OFTEN ONE OF THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE THINGS FOR PARENTS TO TALK ABOUT WITH THEIR KIDS. AND SO I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENED HISTORICALLY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES IS THAT SCHOOLS HAVE VERY RELUCTANTLY TAKEN ON SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING SEX EDUCATION."
The question of how to talk about sex seems to be raised every few years in the legislature, including this year, when lawmakers voted to ban all forms of sex education in public schools.
Governor Leavitt vetoed that bill.
Strassberg says kids get the best information from parents.
Dr. Donald Strassberg/Psychologist: "THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS TO LEARN ABOUT BOTH VALUES AND FACTS, ARE REALLY AT HOME. BUT IF PARENTS ARE SIMPLY NOT TAKING ON THIS RESPONSIBILITY, THEN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS STUCK BECAUSE PERHAPS MORE THAN EVER WE REALIZE THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT KIDS HAVE GOOD INFORMATION."
He suggests parents look for opportunities to teach their kids about sex.
Dr. Donald Strassberg/Psychologist: "IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE NOT WATCHING MORE THAN A COUPLE OF NIGHTS OF NETWORK TV AND NOT FINDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PARENTS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION EITHER ABOUT FACTS OR ABOUT VALUES."
He says no age is too early to talk to kids, although the information a 13 or 14-year-old needs is probably going to be different than a 5 or 6-year might need.
Dr. Strassberg's Suggested Books:
- A Kid's First Book About Sex - by Joani Blank and Marcia Quackenbush
-
Bellybuttons or Navels - by Mark Schoen
