Sex — such a simple word that becomes impossible to say when faced with an inquisitive child. It’s time to beat the blushes and inform your children about the ‘S’ word “There was a culture growing up of sex being dirty and taboo”

‘Adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years.”

This unknown author was obviously aware of the challenges that raising teenagers can present.

There’s the hair dye, first dates, piercings, tantrums, sleepovers, and discos to deal with. But despite all these, many parents still rate talking to their children about sex as one of the most daunting tasks they’ll undertake.

Over the years, the birds and the bees, the baby-carrying stork, encyclopaedias and even the virgin birth have all been employed in an attempt to avoid the “the talk”. And even today, despite more liberal attitudes towards sex, there are still many who find discussing puberty, sex and relationships with their children difficult.

Recent findings from the Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships suggest that attitudes are changing. As many as 92pc of people think that young people should get sex education and 80pc believe it should be provided at home.

But despite this, only 21pc of men and 38pc of women under 25 have received sex education at home.

And while relationship and sexuality education is provided in schools, as part of the Social, Personal and Health Education curriculum, it’s widely recognised that this isn’t enough.

Studies have shown that when parents speak to their children about sex, it increases the likelihood that the young person will wait until after 17 before having sex (the average age losing one’s virginity is now 17). It also increases the likelihood that the young person will use contraception…

Source: Irish Independent, Ireland
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parenting/so-lets-talk-about–sex-1200897.html