Jul 10
5
Who Will?
I awoke thus morning with a thought I would like to share: “If we don’t actively, acutely, and with awareness arm our children with knowledge, who will?”
Recently, a Facebook friend posted a link on her wall about young girls dancing in a contest and how they were, in essence, bumping & grinding their bodies in sexual motions. I read the commentary she posted as recorded here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/magazine/13fob-wwln-t.html?_r=2&WT.mc_id=MG-SM-E-FB-SM-LIN-MPA-061410-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click
What are your thoughts? I immediately decided to have a talk with my oldest (who isn’t yet ten) on healthy sexuality.
For those of you who know me, you know that I speak openly and honestly with my children on many topics–from religion to history, from behavior to manipulation. I address sex, as well, and have since they could talk.
Driving to an errand on Saturday, I noticed a public service announcement billboard that posted this line: “Talk to Your Daughter About Pregnancy.”
Then, another friend posted Jay Leno speaking to citizens of our country asking questions regarding Independence Day. Only the grandfather (among a father, mother, and son who were interrogated previously) could answer questions like, From whom did we gain our independence? and What year did we do this? I felt a deep concern that what we know is not being passed from one generation to the next. Think not only of knowledge or information, but think about life lessons; are we too busy listening to other voices–the TV, iPod, or whatever–to hear from the men and women who gave us life? (I used to be in heaven as a child to be able to listen in as the “adults” spoke of life and lessons. I learned who-knows-how-much information that affects me still.)
If we are not teaching our children about sex and history, about life and the consequences of our choices, then someone else will. Are you willing to take the gamble of them being taught by just anyone?
Will you open your mouth? Share what you know? Let them know you care? We can arm our children with knowledge–and after all, knowledge=power, right?
Who will?…I will.
