In the transition from childhood to adolescence, your child will begin to wonder about sexuality. If parents do not provide this information accurately and appropriately, adolescents may tend to learn sexual information from other sources.
Sexual education; It supports children in developing a positive perspective on sexuality and helps them gain the knowledge and skills to protect their sexual health. Parents are their children's first educators on sexual matters. From the moment they are born, people begin to receive messages about sexuality from their immediate surroundings, especially their parents. Parents convey their first information and value judgments about sexuality to their children through behaviors such as talking to their children, sharing their feelings, showing affection, dressing them and teaching them the names of body parts. Young people try to compensate for the lack of parents who do not want to communicate with their children on these issues and who have a strict attitude. In this case, parents miss the opportunity to provide them with a healthy life, increasing the possibility of encountering all kinds of undesirable situations.
The International Planned Parenthood Federation has defined customized sexual and reproductive rights for young people in accordance with International Human Rights Laws. :
1. The right to be yourself – to be free to make your own decisions, to express yourself, to enjoy sexuality, to be safe, to choose to marry or not to marry, and to plan a family.
2. The right to know – sex, contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections/HIV/AIDS and reproductive and sexual rights.
3. The right to self-preservation and protection from others – unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections/HIV/AIDS and sexual abuse
4. Having healthcare – confidential, affordable, presented in good quality and with respect
5. The right to participate – to participate in studies at all levels, such as planning programs planned for young people, attending meetings and seminars
Sexual information contents differ according to age groups.
Six years old In the group, using picture books and encouraging them to ask questions about topics they are curious about can be used. Relatives aged 10-14 different dimensions, the importance of delaying sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted infections and contraception should be explained. In later ages, in the 15-17 age group, limiting the number of partners, the importance of condom use in protecting against undesirable consequences, gaining decision-making skills, resisting sexual pressure and the importance of saying no should be emphasized. Information should be provided on sexual identity development, factors affecting it, and healthy approaches to its development. It is appropriate to give this information to ages 12-17. With the information given, the adolescent should understand his own sexual identity, be aware of the types of behavior related to sexual identities, be able to recognize himself in this respect and adopt the appropriate role.
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