Greetings. I'm new here. Been reading some of the threads when I saw the heading for this thread on the right of the screen and couldn't believe my eyes. Because of personal experiences I could not let this subject pass me without comment.

I am a mother and grandmother. As loving, responsible parents my husband and I believe it's important to honestly educate our children and did talk and answer questions as they arose. We are also in favor of the sex ed classes at school, because that is where some kids get their only info from, beside the not so factual info from peers.

BUT... there is an overwhelmingly disturbing element here in this plan. Sexual development is individual. Some children may be ready for sex ed at the tender ages the article says should be taught (5-8), and other children may not be. I had to have a few talks with my one of my kids at around these ages and only one talk about it with my other kid. The overwhelmingly disturbing element is the idea that our institution of learning/our schools should teach the youngest members about self pleasuring/masturbation. Who in their right mind thinks this is what our youngest students, (whom we parents and grandparents are so eager to protect from sex abuse), need to learn at school.

This sounds to me like another blow at severing any parental authority, and a great big opening for the pedophiles that have infiltrated all levels of our society.. What other reason? Why would any other adult be concerned about the sexuality of our children? Prepare them for what or should I say whom?

We may be concerned about the early sexual behavior of some of our kids, but that doesn't mean it needs to be addressed in this manner. Government needs to stop taking familial rights away. They have been chipping and stripping parental rights for several decades now and aren't stopping. It appears they are taking more and more away from families.

I think and feel this way, because I was molested by an adult male at the tender age of 5. He was a stranger. I was no way ready for anything like this and it affected all my relationships growing up. I've learned to deal with it, but I still have trust issues. Honestly, all I see in this plan is a way to get children to be more approachable by these pedophilic monsters, nothing more. Why else would the UN be interested in our youngest students sexuality?

I see no reasons for this plan to be implemented. Do you want teachers to talk to your innocent/naive child about masturbation and how to do it? Personal sexual activities are not what children of the age of 5-8 need to be taught in our public schools. Every person on this planet whom reads the UN plan should be outraged at it and let them know. I know I will. Please note: My husband and adult children feel the same way about this subject as I do. My adult son heard me talking to my husband about this thread before posting and affirmed he felt the same way...outraged. You all should be too. Who are these UN people whom are proposing this plan? Aliens??? Or are they pedophiles themselves...
Peace

Originally posted by YossarianThe question here is whether or not the subjects are age-appropriate.

Do a check on google how many pregnancies there are at 11 and 12, then ask again..

Problem is a majority of parents are afraid to even discuss it, let alone teach it. Religion has a lot to do with it as many still consider it a sin. How many today are still spouting that "if you play with it you will go blind" line?

Many Islamic nations are still cutting of the female part to prevent pleasure, other religious groups have high teen pregnancy issues because they are afraid to talk about it.

But most kids in America and Europe know more about it then their parents

Nothing wrong with a proper course... but how to do it logistically without inviting problems is the big question

Yikes! Can we stop the controlling efforts? Leave our kids alone!

I have a 9 year old son myself. My wife and I are actually having this debate right now. Do we tell him now or should we wait.

The reason we are even talking about it is the level of questions we are getting from him now. It's getting harder and harder to answer these questions without coming right out and telling him something we shouldn't. Or should we?

It's hard to watch TV now without him seeing something that triggers another question. Maybe that's why the UN thinks we should tell them so early because they are being bombarded with sexual innuendos daily from every angle. Billboards, radio, tv , video games, it's everywhere. The only way to keep your child from seeing or hearing about it is to lock them inside with nothing but marbles and a coloring book.

I think we have come to the conclusion that I'm going to explain things to him the next time he ask about it. Not everything but most and in a way that's not to graphic.

I'm still having second thoughts because, come on he's 9. It's just the questions he's asking make it seem like he already knows more than we think. I want to make sure he knows the right things and not something crazy one of his friends told him.

It just feels wrong, you know.

wt#!? this is sickening!~ this topic shouldn't even bring up on ats. let it nature do itself....

Plan and simple. Teaching a child to masturbate is abuse.

As a kid gets older they figure it out. Probably a lot simpler for guys, but all the same not exactly rocket science for girls. It's a private thing that shouldn't be flaunted all over the place.

Even as adults, married or single, there is nothing wrong with it. But still it is a private matter. Kind of like using the can, everyone does it, they just don't need to discuss it.

Obviously there won't be an agreement in this area. And for me, this isn't partisan crap. My stance comes from the heart, not religion, not stymied intolerance, and definitely not frigidness.

One point- why the UN, and why now?

There are real problems in the world - in this country alone, we're seeing unemployment skyrocket, the fed being looted, town hall insanity, flu innoculations and threats of possible pandemic -

and now this? Right now? Amongst everything else? Millions of children in the world are going to bed hungry, the parents worried, and the UN wants children to be knowledgeable about masturbation... at this time?

Personally, I think there are more important issues at hand. And unless the UN is distracted by the thought of children not knowing 'good touches, bad touches', then there are bigger fish to fry.

I'm not trying to be rude, but there are different opinions here because of different perspectives.

Children shouldn't be made to feel bad about such a thing. I wasn't, and would rather hang myself to ever make my girls feel ashamed of a natural part of life.

There's a fine line here. Now, free condoms in the high schools - I'm all for that. Kids learning reproduction - all for that.
But 5 is too young - if they haven't already discovered it. Case by case, and if a parent comes into the knowledge that their 5 yr old has discovered something, then the parent should be able to discreetly talk with them.

But long before the UN or any other organization in the world even poses such a notion of taking it upon themselves as to what kids - kids they don't know and never met - should be privy to, there should be many courses, classes, or assistance offered to parents to help their children.

Parents know their children better than anyone, when they're kids.

My little four year old cousin was caught getting a little frisky with a stuffed toy. There was an investigation and her 16 year old brother was not allowed to stay in the house during the investigation. It was found that she had never been touched and the nurses and doctor said that was normal behavior for a child that age. If they start teaching this to small children, how many false claims of sexual abuse will there be?