CHILDREN AND SEXUALITY
WHAT IS SEXUALITY Sexuality is a person’s sexual orientation and preference. Underline the word ORIENTATION and PREFERENCE. In other world i can say that your orientation determines your preference. Sexuality is beyond sex, sex is just a part of human sexuality. When you are trying to educate your children about this subject, concentrate on educating them on sexuality and not just sex, this is where most parents get it wrong. The fear of how do i discuss sex with a child is an issue, but if you start seeing this discussion at sexuality angle, it will help a great deal. Human being are sexual beings, because our sexuality is reflected in the way we do virtually everything, the way we talk, the way we shake, the way we relate with the opposite sex, the way we sit, the way we dress etc. Like I said before, sex is only a small part of who we are as sexual beings. Even people who are not having sex are sexual beings. And so there’s another word that you should know and use too. That word is sexuality. Here are some of the things that are included when we talk about sexuality: 1. Sexuality is much more than body parts and sex (though it includes these things, too). 2. Sexuality includes our gender identity (the core sense that we are female or male). 3. Sexuality includes gender role (the idea of how we should behave because we are a female or male). 4. Sexuality includes our sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual): This is where a lot of people makes mistake and believe God made a mistake by creating them the way they are. The truth is anything beyond male and female is not of God. God made man in His image, male and female created HE them. (Genesis 5:2) 5. Sexuality includes how we feel about our bodies. We call that “body image,” and poor body image can have a profound effect on our ability to have healthy relationships. A person with poor body image may not think they deserve a good partner, and so they may be willing to settle for someone who will not respect them or who may even abuse them. 6. Sexuality includes our sexual experiences, thoughts, ideas, and fantasies. 7. Sexuality includes the way in which the media, family, friends, religion, age, life goals, and our self-esteem shape our sexual selves. 8. Sexuality includes how we experience intimacy, touch, love, compassion, joy, and sorrow. 9. We like this quote: “Sexuality is expressed in the way we speak, smile, stand, sit, dress, dance, laugh, and cry.” THE STAGES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIORS There are 4 phases of childhood sexual development. These are normal and harmless sexual behaviors expected from children at each stage of their developmental level. Just like every other part of growing up, some children mature sooner or later than others, but this will serve as a kind of guide so that as soon as you start noticing some abnormalities you swing to action. So, don’t be too worried if your child doesn’t act exactly as you’d expect. Children with developmental delays may not stick to these age guides. If you’re worried about anything you should speak to a health professional about it. STAGE 1: Infancy from 0 to 4 years Even at this stage, sexual behavior is beginning to emerge through actions like: kissing and hugging showing curiosity about private body parts talking about private body parts and using words like poo, willy and bum playing “house” or “doctors and nurses” type games with other children touching, rubbing or showing off their genitals as a comforting habit STAGE 2: Young children from 5 to 9 years As children get a little older they become more aware of the need for privacy while also: kissing and hugging showing curiosity about private body parts but respecting privacy talking about private body parts and sometimes showing them off trying to shock by using words like poo, willy and bum using swear and sex words they’ve heard other people say playing “house” or “doctors and nurses”-type games with other children touching, rubbing or showing off genitals as a comforting habit STAGE 3: Pre-adolescents from 10 to 12 years In this phase, children are getting more curious about sex and sexual behavior through: kissing, hugging and ‘dating’ other children being interested in other people’s body parts and the changes that happen in puberty asking about relationships and sexual behaviour looking for sexual pictures, including on the internet searching for information about sex online touching, rubbing or showing off genitals in private Dirty jokes STAGE 4: Adolescents from 13 to 16 years As puberty kicks in, sexual behaviour becomes more private with kissing, hugging, dating and forming longer-lasting relationships Being interested in and asking questions about body parts, relationships and sexuality Using sexual language and talking about sex with friends Looking for sexual pictures, including on the internet Searching for information about sex online Touching, rubbing or showing off genitals in private and experimenting sexually with the same age group. Dirty jokes DANGER SIGNS Sexualised behaviour which is significantly more advanced than you’d normally expect for a child of a particular age or which shows a lack of inhibition, could be a cause for concern. For example, a pre-school child who talks about sex acts or uses adult language or a 12 year old who touches or rubs his genitals in public. Other warning signs include: sexual interest in adults or children of very different ages to their own forceful or aggressive sexual behaviour compulsive habits reports from school that their behaviour is affecting their progress and achievement If you have any worries at all, even if you’re not sure, then it’s important that you act as soon as you possibly can. WHAT TO DO AS A PARENT Learning about sex and sexual behavior is a normal part of a child’s development. It will help them as they grow up, and
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