My Story

Having grown up in a very conservative Baptist home, I don't even recall the word SEX even being spoken. It was a taboo topic. In fact, I wasn't even entirely sure what it was.
The one and only time it was even hinted at was when I was 15. My Dad sat me down and had "the talk". Now, bear in mind, I was somewhat of an early bloomer. At the age of 13 I was already 6' tall and beginning to shave. By the time I was 15 I was 6'5", fully developed, wearing size 12 shoe and had finished growing.
My Dad sat me down in my bedroom in a very uncomfortable manner. This is what he said to me. "Son, you are growing up. I just want you to know that you may notice your body changing. Its normal." then after an pause, "And you might get an erection. If you do, don't worry about it. It will go away." Another awkward silence... "Do you have any questions?" "No Dad.""Well if you do just let me know."
I remember as he left my room I wasn't sure weather to laugh or cry. The main thought in my mind was "Oh Dad! If you only knew." I had already gotten my sex education by reading every book in the public library. I had already begun shaving on my own with no help or explanation. As for the erection... well...needless to say I knew all about those.
That's the only sex talk my parents and I ever had.
But it isn't the only thing they ever taught me. In future posts I'll talk more about this. In the mean time, I would love to hear your experiences. What, when, how did your parents teach you about sex? What did you learn from them? How did it impact your life? How do you differ from them?
I'm interested in knowing other people's stories. I think it could help us today have a better understanding of why everywhere we turn there is talk about sex, yet no one is really talking about it in a productive manner.
When you respond to this post include your age (if you are comfortable with that), state and sex. And anything else you think might shed light on the subject. I think we'll see some common threads after a while.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Friday, February 22, 2008

let's talk about it


Recently I had the opportunity to go with my two Jr. Highers to a presentation at school about STD's and making healthy sexual choices. I must commend Concord Community Schools for providing this program to the students and their caregivers. I'm very happy that they are willing to talk about these things.

Overall I was somewhat pleased with the information presented. But I did leave disappointed in what was NOT presented. I found out later, after communicating with the school ,that the presentation was a part of the current curriculum which encourages abstinence and monogamy. The purpose of the presentation was to encourage additional communication on these subjects once the kids got home. It definitely did do that for me. I was disturbed by the absence of so much important information. I wondered how many parents could even talk intelligently about these things. Here are some points that I think every child/parent should discuss:



  • what constitutes sexual activity?

  • Can you get STD's from just physical touch?

  • Once you get an STD is it safe to have sex with someone else with the same STD?

  • What can and cannot a condom do?

  • What does birth control protect you from?

  • How do you know if your partner has been abstinent or monogamous?

  • What about oral sex? is it safer for the receiver than the giver?

  • What about homosexuality? What sexual activities are associated with homosexuality?

and the list goes on.......

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