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Children want to learn what’s "right." Parents teach within their families the moral principles on which our multi-cultural society is based. In general, these are principles that protect the common good and help us live together.
But in today’s society, our children are exposed to so much information and so many experiences that we are justified in our concern for their development. Along with unprecedented threats and opportunities comes less time for experimentation to pass on important values. How can parents do it. . .and do it well?
The key is in teaching our children how to make choices that are right for them as individuals, with high regard for how the consequences affect others. Their skill is acquired mostly from our own approach to life—our examples, our justice, our respect for them and for others. Their success is also dependent on the sense of self-worth we give them, to serve as protection in a tough world.
Teenagers today know so much more about sex than any other generation. Now they are sexually active with more partners at a younger age. Yet many parents are still uncomfortable about talking to their children about sex.
Naturally, it’s more uncomfortable to deal with a teen pregnancy, or with a sexually transmitted disease. It’s very important for children to learn to rely on parents for sexual information. Parents begin by understanding their own ideas about sexuality, and decide what they want to teach their children.
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Reprinted with the permission of the Heartland Family Service. © 2008 Heartland Family Service
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