I think it’s very important that kids around a very young age should be taught about basics of sex education because that’s when the children most likely to ask their parents, “Where do babies come from?” And then the parents don’t know how to answer that’s question. In my opinion and based from what I was learning around the age of 4-6, I was taught by my mother the anatomy of the human body and how it works, and I agree on how my mother has taught me, parents should teach their children about anatomy of their body first. But, of course, there are levels of sex education based from the child’s age, make sure it’s age appropriate.
Toddlers should learn about body parts as basics of theirs learning so that they could know the difference of the female body and the male body looks like and they should know that a man and a woman make a baby together, then the baby grows up to 9 months inside the woman.
Around this age, they should learn about gender roles. Some people might not agree with the concept of ‘gender roles’ but from my point of view gender roles are important. Gender roles and gender-stereotypes are different—learn the difference. Gender roles are about the ideal figure in a family or a society. Whilst gender stereotype is an idea or belief many people have about a thing or group that is based upon how they look, how they act, and how they feel. Many people has mistaken ideal for stereotype. Gender roles are made for many reasons.
- Pre-teen (10-14 years old)
Now, this is the age they should know about sex, protected sex, sexuality, hormones, and the feeling of sexually aroused (or you could say ‘turned on’ or ‘horny’). At this age, hormones and feelings are starting to get unstable, they should learn about mental health as well. I know lots of teenagers that struggle with their selves, and the problem is that they don’t open up to adults that might understand what they’re going through. But instead, they open up to other pre-teens or teenagers who is going through the same thing. So, pre-teens and teenagers, if you’re going through some stuff, talk to an experienced adult.
Sex and protected sex: they should know the consequences of their actions towards other people and themselves.
Sexuality: learn that there are homosexuals, pan-sexual, and heterosexual.
Hormones: it can effect on moods (or mood swings), emotion, and body.
- Teenagers (15-17 years old)
This is when they start to date. At this age, they should learn about mental heath, serious relationships, and communication. Mental health is very important because it can effect to your body, how you act around people, how you treat people, and most importantly how you see yourself and how you treat yourself.
At previous age, kids might date sooner. But it’s more likely to have a serious relationship around the age of 15-17. A healthy relationship is actually really simple, you just respect, communicate, understand, be honest, help, connect, and trust each other. And remember, date or love someone when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely. Make sure you have the mental, physical, and emotional health to love someone and self-love is very important.
- Young adults (18-20 years old)
Young adults already learn when they were younger, now it’s time to take some responsibility and experience. Maybe try to date someone seriously, get married, or something.
As a pre-teen Indonesian whose never been taught about sex education and mental health by my parents, I think kids should learn from their parents based on general knowledge and their experience. Parents, it might be weird to hear what your kid’s question but please it’s important for them to know.
information source: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=716&language=English
This article is based on the link above, my opinion, and my experience.