When to start sex education?

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by Nomilynn
I COMPLETELY disagree with this. It has been studied through surveys, etc. that the INFORMED kids don't need to try it because they feel informed.

I probably didn't word it right, but I'm all for explaining kids about reproduction, sex, the risks involved, etc., however, I feel there's a certain age to tell these things. It IS important to tell them...just not TOO early. Teens should definitely know, and I guess you could tell a 10 year old too...but 7 is just too early in my opinion. When you tell a 7 year old anything, they usually do want to experiment with it. I know I wanted to experiment with any 'new information' at that age. Not that a 7 year old is really going to be able to experiment with sex, but I still think its too early to give them so much information that they would start to wonder how it feels and such. Children are curious. They're going to ask no matter what. I remember asking my mom some weird questions as a child, and she always gave me an answer, without giving too much information. I was the type of child that asked a LOT of questions...about God, about babies, about why women got pregnant and men didn't ...all sorts of things. I was CURIOUS. I did not NEED to know everything I asked, but as a child, I wanted to know everything. I honestly think I drove my mom crazy, because I 'know' there were times when she didn't know how to answer my questions appropriately.

Now personally, if I had a 7 year old asking about pregnancy, I would explain to him/her that God gave women the ability to become pregnant to keep making more humans, and to keep the human race on going. I would explain a bit, but I wouldn't get into the issue of 'how' women get pregnant. If the child asked HOW, then I would tell him/her that there are certains things you will know when you're older, not right now. My mom used to tell me that sometimes, when I asked TOO much. She didn't lie to me...just made it clear that I would get to know these things later in life.

I understand that you all have your own opinions and I respect that. 7 is just 'too early' from my perspective, whether the child is asking or not. I 'was' asking at that age, but now when I look back at things, I'm glad my mom didn't tell me at that time. It was too much for my little mind to handle. These issues are a very natural and 'normal' part of being a human being. Its the way God made us, and kids SHOULD know about 'themselves' and how the human body works. I just believe, like I stated before, that there is a certain age to tell kids certain things.