Sexuality and Becoming Parents
Please write 250 words
• How comfortable are you with the topic of sex?
• Why do you think this is such a tough topic for people to discuss?
• How old were you when you had "the talk" and who did you have it with?
• At what age should one talk to their children about sex? (See Talking to your child about sex, sexuality, and health: Facts + love = success in your readings to help you think about this question). You may be wondering, "What does that have to do with becoming parents?" Many couples assume that they will be able to get pregnant. If it doesn't happen right away, they may need to have some difficult conversations. If you aren't comfortable talking about your sexuality, the conversations about infertility won't be any easier!
• Based on what you've learned this week, and your own experiences if they apply, what are some of the other "tough" conversations couples may face when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth, and becoming parents?
• What's the best way for couples to address those tough issues?
I was 11 years old when I had “the talk” which was mainly led by my parents but also supplemented by guidance from school health classes. Depending on the comfort level of the family, I believe parents should start having age-appropriate conversations about sex with their children at around 10 or 11 years old so they can gain an understanding of things like bodily changes and reproductive biology early on in life.
Apart from issues related to sexuality, there are other topics couples will need to consider when discussing parenthood such as potential fertility problems (which could lead to further conversations about options like adoption) or discussions concerning financial planning for raising a child; thus being able to effectively communicate beforehand can help them lay groundwork for those issues before becoming parents.
The best way for couples to address these difficult issues is through open communication where both parties feel free enough express their opinions and feelings without judgement or criticism; additionally setting aside time each week where partners can focus solely on talking out any unresolved matters between them will also prove invaluable over long run since parenting often requires making decisions together.