What my parents taught me about SEX: No Shame

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!

Monday, August 18, 2008

No Shame

As a single dad of two teenage daughters, I have no shame left. I have taken them shopping for make-up, clothing, bras and panties, tampons and pads and the list goes on. None of this bothers me. In fact, Nora t

he "bra-master" at JC Penny commented that they don't make men like me anymore. I don't tell you that to brag, I actually think it is a shame. My daughters and I are very comfortable talking about all these things. We even talk about body parts, such as a penis and vagina.... and yes, we actually say those words! We also talk about sex. Was it always this way? I'm afraid not. What changed it? I decided to focus on what was truly important. Building a relationship with my kids is number one! I want my kids to talk to me about these things, but the key is, I have to be even more comfortable talking about it than they are! So I am. You really can't embarrass me in these areas.

What about you?

1 comment:

mistresseinstein said...: at age 12 i heard the term "come" from one of the kids riding home from school on the bus .. when i asked my mother what it meant, she angrily asked me where i heard it and told me not to hang around with any of those people anymore .. so i asked the kids at school the next day .. really brilliant and effective parenting strategy on that one!; December 24, 2008 at 3:20 AM