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Following your premise, you should also not tell children that driving a car recklessly can harm them, or that firearms are dangerous if improperly handled, or

Following your premise, you should also not tell children that driving a car recklessly can harm them, or that firearms are dangerous if improperly handled, or that the stovetop can burn them, or that they should look ways before crossing the street... Seriously. Tell your children about the positive and negative consequences of actions, sex included. Obviously it's pleasurable. Obviously it's procreative. It's also emotionally dangerous to have sex with someone for whom you don't have a solid relationship, because human beings are wired so that the act of sex creates strongly emotional attachment to your partner. I see my job as a parent to prepare my children to be an adult. Adults make decisions about risky behaviors, and I want to do everything possible to make sure my children have the knowledge necessary to make good decisions when the time comes - no matter what the topic is.

ars 12y ago
Your comparisons are about telling kids certain things are bad, but the premise in this article is about telling kids it's good. It's not a valid comparison. You then compromised by saying to tell them the bad things, but that's not what the article says. And BTW telling them "emotionally dangerous" is impossible - they just won't get it. > I see my job as a parent to prepare my children to be an adult. Certainly, but there is no need to tell them about it early, as the kid in the article was. Wait until this is something they physically are able to do, then tell them honestly.
- mercer 12y ago
  I'd disagree. I, and others I've talked to, started being intensely curious about sex at the age of eight, well before I could reproduce. I'm very happy that my parents raised me in such a way that I felt comfortable asking about sex early on, and having them tell me about the good (and the bad) of sex.
  - clockworkelf 12y ago
    So just because you're curious about something at eight you should know all there is to know about it? Like the author says, sex is now more than just about reproduction. I don't think you're suggesting this but sexualizing kids, at least before puberty, would definitely send the wrong message about sex and perhaps would condemn a person to sexual addiction for the rest of their lives.

ars 12y ago

Your comparisons are about telling kids certain things are bad, but the premise in this article is about telling kids it's good. It's not a valid comparison. You then compromised by saying to tell them the bad things, but that's not what the article says. And BTW telling them "emotionally dangerous" is impossible - they just won't get it. > I see my job as a parent to prepare my children to be an adult. Certainly, but there is no need to tell them about it early, as the kid in the article was. Wait until this is something they physically are able to do, then tell them honestly.

mercer 12y ago
I'd disagree. I, and others I've talked to, started being intensely curious about sex at the age of eight, well before I could reproduce. I'm very happy that my parents raised me in such a way that I felt comfortable asking about sex early on, and having them tell me about the good (and the bad) of sex.
- clockworkelf 12y ago
  So just because you're curious about something at eight you should know all there is to know about it? Like the author says, sex is now more than just about reproduction. I don't think you're suggesting this but sexualizing kids, at least before puberty, would definitely send the wrong message about sex and perhaps would condemn a person to sexual addiction for the rest of their lives.