If you know anything about sex and contraception as an adult, chances are you’ve simply gone with the flow of life. Meaning, you’ve done your research or picked up pieces of information from friends and maybe even family along the way. Even as adults, many of us are still concerned about our parents knowing that we’re sexually active, or that we even know what things like birth control pills are.
Episode 7 of the latest season of Nigerians Talk highlighted a common theme amongst our speakers—the shared disappointment amongst parents when they find out what their kids know about sex and contraception.
However, it is crucial we keep children aware. For one, to avoid teenage pregnancies, STIs, and had I known stories, but also to help instil safer sex practices. Here are four reasons why parents need to have ‘The Talk’ with their kids.
1. Sex Education is Non-Existent
Sex Education for children has unfortunately not been made the responsibility of any social institution. Sex-ed talks given by parents to children are often shrouded in myths and fear to scare kids away from getting pregnant too early.
In schools, there’s no proper system either. The closest that comes to this is biology lessons, where children learn about the male and female anatomies. This, however, still doesn’t address the substance of the discourse. Most kids end up picking things from friends, the internet, or social media, which often leads to confusion and misinformation.
2. Misinformation and Misuse of Information
When kids aren’t properly educated on certain issues, knowledge becomes fragmented, misused or abused. There are many issues with picking up bits and pieces of advice on sexual and reproductive health from children with zero experience. Even worse when one considers other factors likely to influence and inform its use. Peer pressure, poor judgment, self-esteem issues and the added effects of puberty will cause kids to misuse fragmented information.
3. Religion and Morals Won’t Deter Sex and Babies
Here’s the thing: parents expect that attending church services regularly or praying five times a day will give a child better judgment on life issues, especially when it comes to sexual activity. Error. Children are curious, people grow up and experience things, emotions, and feelings that become part of us whether we want them or not. Religion isn’t going to stop kids and teenagers from experimenting, and prayers won’t stop a baby from being conceived. Sometimes, it might even help the child grow.
4. Children Need Safe Spaces
The truth is, there’s only so much parents can do to deter sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. But it’s important to do as much as we can, so that when these things happen, we help them make the right choices.
Conversations will be difficult to have, before or after the act, but they’re extremely necessary. And while we’re having conversations, it’s important to make them well-rounded and have them with everyone. Girls and women aren’t solely responsible for sexual and reproductive health issues.
Share your reasons with us or tell us what your experience with sex education has been!
Watch the episode now on our YouTube channel.
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