HEALTHY SEXUAL ATTITUDES FOR CHILDREN

HEALTHY SEXUAL ATTITUDES FOR CHILDREN 

As parents, we are not likely to exert great influence on what our children do about sex through direct suggestions or commands. Undoubtedly, their attitudes will be influenced by the example we set in our pattern of living and the maturity and love displayed in the home. What other roles do we have--potentially effective roles-in helping them to develop healthy sexual attitudes? We can stand in the background, unobtrusively observing, so we can be ready to help when necessary. We can make the home an attractive and welcome place for our children's friends. Allowing them freedom and privacy in and around the home will help them work out normal sex urges.

 You cannot recommend the same behavior for all of them indiscriminately. I rather hope that my own daughter will pet or neck, or whatever the proper term may be, preferably with boys she knows well and likes, and only with her contemporaries. Love-making of this type is a healthy preparation for marriage. I hope that she will not have intercourse or end up merely a technical virgin. Quite aside from any moral implications, such a step is risky. If she does have a complete relationship, though, I most earnestly hope that she will know what she is about, that she will not go into an affair because she happens to be tight, or thinks it's 'the thing' or wants to prove that she can carry it off. These are my hopes.

They are based on my observation of the kind of behavior least likely to cause trouble in our particular social group. But she may order her life quite differently and be none the worse for it. If she is neither afraid of sex nor bamboozled by its glamour I shall be very content." Note these points made by Dr. Levy, which are applicable equally to boys and girls: Adolescent lovemaking should be with friends of approximately the same age. A certain amount of petting and necking is good as a preparation for the fuller, richer love of marriage. If the young person prefers some other way, accept the decision with the hope it will be a realistic one and will not cause unhappiness.

As parents, we cannot live our children's lives; we cannot order or predetermine their lives. Above all, however, we can be close enough to our children so they will always know they can turn to us for honest, sympathetic guidance-and also for help-if there should be trouble, even pregnancy or a venereal disease. If all young people could feel this way about their parents, how very many tragedies could be avoided!