Why Puberty Education is Necessary
The sudden physical growth and
emotional changes that take place during puberty can be unsettling
for a young person. Children who are not experiencing physical growth and
change as early or as rapidly as some of their peers, and children who experience signs of puberty earlier than many of their peers, may feel confused and
concerned. Very often parents feel uncomfortable and ill-equipped to
initiate discussion or answer questions about developing bodies, hygiene,
menstruation, ovulation, nocturnal emissions, ejaculation, human reproduction, and sexuality. These
topics need to be broached in order for children to feel secure in their
understanding of the new emotions they are experiencing, peer relationship and
social concerns and pressures, and the changes in their bodies that will propel
them into adolescence and adulthood.
Data: Kaiser Family Foundation and Nickelodeon, 2001
- 33% of 10-11 year olds said that pressure to have sex is a “big problem” for kids their age
- 61% of parents of 8-11 year olds reported that their child initiated the first conversation about the basics of reproduction
- In 2 out of 5 families, discussions about puberty (40%) and HIV/AIDS (38%) were also initiated by the child
Still, the report found that key information is not always getting through to children. From 33% to more than 50% of 8-11 year olds whose parents say they have talked with them about an issue related to puberty and sexuality "do not remember the conversation".
- 59% of kids whose parents say they discussed HIV/AIDS do not remember the conversation
- Parents are also more likely than kids to say that talks about these issues occur “regularly,” while kids tend to remember just one or two of these talks
What the Kids Had to Say
- 68% of 8-11 year olds said that kids they know already have boyfriends or girlfriends
- 16% of 8-11 year olds see other students kissing or making out at school
- Only 56% of kids ages 8-11 talked with their parents about puberty
- Only 49% of kids ages 8-11 discussed reproduction with their parents
- Less than 50% of parents of 12-15 year olds discussed decision-making about sex
- 46% of 8-11 year olds said they want to know more about puberty
While kids want to know more about sensitive health topics, they also worry about how their parents will react if they go to them with a sensitive issue. One of the top reasons (other than feeling embarrassed) kids said they don’t go to their parents when something is bothering them is that "they don’t want to worry them (61%)".
Keeping Secrets
- Seven out of ten 8-11 year olds (67%) keep things secret from their parents at least some of the time
- Eight out of ten 12-15 year olds (81%), say they keep things secret from their parents at least some of the time
