Introduction
Sex Education is important to every category of the individual in society. Understanding sexuality ensures that individuals interpret important measures to be undertaken when issues arise of the same. When sex education is addressed in a manner that cultivates a culture of friendship and love, it helps to strengthen the relationship between children and their parent Sex education guide their lives and instill the values of a loving relationship. However, parents have faced more challenges in addressing sex and sexuality with their children, thus; this has contributed to a lack of self-awareness and effective measures to apply when they experience sex and sexual issues.
Challenges of Parents’ Sex Education
Shelley (1981) notes that the gap existing between parents and their children on sex education and what needs to be known has widened. Parents have dedicated this function to schools to educate their children more on the subject. Perhaps, one reason why parents have failed to tackle sex education appropriately with their children is; communication (Shelley, 1981). The strategies on how to communicate sexuality with children have been a major obstacle to parents. Lack of courage can also be attributed to this cause. Shelley (1981) asserts that it is a result of several reasons such as, parents may feel uncomfortable discussing Sex education with their children. It is a common notion that parents and children be embarrassed when addressing the issue related to sex and sexuality. Secondly, parents may fear that discussing sexuality with their children, it will encourage experimentation (Walker, 2001). The myths that sex is unfortunate and harmful, for children may cause interest in children thus enhancing experimentation. Thirdly, parents feel that by discussing the sex, no difference can occur (Shelley, 1981).
According to Walker (2001), children always look upon their parents to instill in them moral values on issues relating to sexuality. The duty parents play in forming their children is important. Because children prefer being attentive to people who have much more influence in their lives than anyone else.
In addition, the teaching values of parents have contributed to challenges in discussing sexuality with their children. Parents guide their concerns by educating their children to respect themselves and others’ responsibility when behaving and living their sexuality in society rather than addressing how they should “respect and behave” (Walker, 2001). Besides, some parents have negative feelings in consideration when discussing matters of sexuality with their children. They show extreme, repressive and rigid education thus creating conflicts when discussing with their children. This is because; they often disagree on the discussion hence creating a tense atmosphere.
Another problem is that parents delegate the role of Sex Education to schools Walker, 2001). The parents trust that, since a school is an education system, it has an obligation of ensuring their children understand their sexual development thus when their children are at home, they accept any issues related to their sexual well-being have been adequately covered in school (Walker, 2001). This has contributed to disadvantaging parents in enhancing sex education among their children’s
Conclusion
Parents should begin addressing sex education with their children early enough. This will assist in eliminating communication and other barriers, which might arise, later in life between parents and children. Parents being exposed to children when they want to discuss will help reduce anxiety thus creating a “joint learning atmosphere”.
References
Shelley, I. S. (1981). Adolescent Attitudes as Related to the perception of Parents and Sex Education, Journal of Sex Research, 17(4) pp.350-367
Walker, L. J. (2001). A Qualitative Study of Parents’ Experiences of Providing Sex Education for their Children: The Implications for Health Education, 60 (1) pp.132 – 146