Talking about the ‘birds and the bees’
Speaking to children about the "birds and the bees" can help prevent sexual abuse.
This is according to the Kidz Clinic manager, Natasha Ras.
“Sex and sexual abuse are still taboo topics. Parents don’t want to speak about these important issues with their children,” she says.
“This, however, is not advantageous, as children remain in the dark about sex and the possibility of abuse.”
Ras encourages parents to have an open door policy with their children and to communicate with them about sexual issues as soon as they start asking questions.
Lyneen Botha is a single mother who has been talking about this issue with her son, Xanver (13), since he was six.
“I taught him that sex was not dirty, but was something special between two people,” says Lyneen.
She says she also teaches him to keep his clothes on, and his hands to himself.
Xanver says he feels very comfortable talking to his mom, because he knows he can trust her.
“The biggest lesson she’s taught me is if someone touches me, I should scream, kick, run and tell her,” he says.
Jacob Maseko is a father to two children, aged 19 and nine.
He says his youngest daughter is too young for a talk on sex, while his son is too embarrassed to talk about sexual issues with his father.
“As a pastor, I advise children in the congregation to abstain,” he says.
Ras advises all parents to educate themselves on parenting, and to attend programmes that assist parents on how to better communicate about sex with their children.
