I have experience working in both the Health and Education sectors, including with tamariki and rangitahi. I also belong to the Christian Left and absolutely support the right for our young people to learn about safety respect and consent in relationships in educational settings. As well as about sexuality and sexual/gender identity. I'm dismayed to learn about opposition to this.
I wish my mum had been able to talk to me (a Teen) that she was going through Menopause when I was going through puberty. I think it might have helped (though being a teen maybe not? I will never know) My Mum suffered alone. I also having her example did not understand about pelvic floor health nor what was an abnormal period. I learned this at the age of 47 talking to a Gynecologist, I am ashamed and embarrassed to not know my own body, to not know the basics of my anatomy . However it turns out that medicine isn't that far in front as far as knowledge goes as my daughters have informed me. Information while uncomfortable needs to be presented well to all men and women about our bodies. This may stop men not understanding what a hot flush is when working with women my age and I might add to also understand themselves - instead of thinking they aren't hormonal not to mention all stops on the range of the human condition. Information we are taught as children provides a balance to the weird filters we view information while on line, lets make that information readily available.
Yes! So true Helena. I was married before I even knew my own body. It took me until I was 30 to start to rid myself of the shame ingrained in me. Nobody should go through what your mum and you and so many have been through ❤️
Sucks! To think we are educated but left ignorant of our physical anatomy, and that some of us (not just men women as well) actively seek to remove what little information is available is mind blowing.
Thank you! This is so important, my oldest is only 8 but its so hard as a parent to know how to teach these concepts appropriately. Education in school is one of the best ways IMO to introduce information on consent, relationships and sex gradually, in an age appropriate way. To normalize the discussion of relationships, bodies and sensuality is so sensible and would go such a long way t dispelling that associated shame around the subject.
I watched a program about how they taught sex education in different countries. The French way was so awesome for example - “your first time is going to memorable so you need to take your time, make it special”. It was how to safe and good sex and it’s what I used with my kids who are now grownups. We need more teaching not less
I have experience working in both the Health and Education sectors, including with tamariki and rangitahi. I also belong to the Christian Left and absolutely support the right for our young people to learn about safety respect and consent in relationships in educational settings. As well as about sexuality and sexual/gender identity. I'm dismayed to learn about opposition to this.
As a mother and a teacher of Family Plannings - Navigating the Journey, I am dismayed that there would be opposition to this. I am very proud of how we at our school teach this important part of life. I also have a 15 year old who even though I can speak comfortably with students at school I still struggle with conversations at home. I hope that his school are teaching the content as well as we are to support what I am able to do at home.
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s so important! I’m 36 and still unpacking the shame and trauma stemming from early sexual experiences, societal attitudes around them, and the messaging about bodies (shape, size, ability) that I think are part of this too. This kind of education needs to be expanded not whittled down. It makes me really sad to know that religious groups and conservatives are fighting this so hard when the evidence shows that the absence of this education has worse outcomes.
If you have a preschooler you might want to contact your preschool about this programme. I’m told it’s great. https://www.helpauckland.org.nz/help-for-pre-schoolers.html
I have experience working in both the Health and Education sectors, including with tamariki and rangitahi. I also belong to the Christian Left and absolutely support the right for our young people to learn about safety respect and consent in relationships in educational settings. As well as about sexuality and sexual/gender identity. I'm dismayed to learn about opposition to this.
❤️❤️
I wish my mum had been able to talk to me (a Teen) that she was going through Menopause when I was going through puberty. I think it might have helped (though being a teen maybe not? I will never know) My Mum suffered alone. I also having her example did not understand about pelvic floor health nor what was an abnormal period. I learned this at the age of 47 talking to a Gynecologist, I am ashamed and embarrassed to not know my own body, to not know the basics of my anatomy . However it turns out that medicine isn't that far in front as far as knowledge goes as my daughters have informed me. Information while uncomfortable needs to be presented well to all men and women about our bodies. This may stop men not understanding what a hot flush is when working with women my age and I might add to also understand themselves - instead of thinking they aren't hormonal not to mention all stops on the range of the human condition. Information we are taught as children provides a balance to the weird filters we view information while on line, lets make that information readily available.
Yes! So true Helena. I was married before I even knew my own body. It took me until I was 30 to start to rid myself of the shame ingrained in me. Nobody should go through what your mum and you and so many have been through ❤️
Sucks! To think we are educated but left ignorant of our physical anatomy, and that some of us (not just men women as well) actively seek to remove what little information is available is mind blowing.
Thanks Emily and Ross. Also a topic close to my own heart as a Sexual Health Nurse.
Sexwise are doing some amazing mahi around this as well 💖
Yay for sexual health nurses and thanks for the tip!
Thank you! This is so important, my oldest is only 8 but its so hard as a parent to know how to teach these concepts appropriately. Education in school is one of the best ways IMO to introduce information on consent, relationships and sex gradually, in an age appropriate way. To normalize the discussion of relationships, bodies and sensuality is so sensible and would go such a long way t dispelling that associated shame around the subject.
I watched a program about how they taught sex education in different countries. The French way was so awesome for example - “your first time is going to memorable so you need to take your time, make it special”. It was how to safe and good sex and it’s what I used with my kids who are now grownups. We need more teaching not less
I have experience working in both the Health and Education sectors, including with tamariki and rangitahi. I also belong to the Christian Left and absolutely support the right for our young people to learn about safety respect and consent in relationships in educational settings. As well as about sexuality and sexual/gender identity. I'm dismayed to learn about opposition to this.
Oops. Excuse the accidental double-post. I can't see how to remove it.
I’m told this is a helpful book ❤️ haven’t personally read it but it might be worth checking out https://mybodymytaonga.com/
This is so important. Thankyou for this!
As a mother and a teacher of Family Plannings - Navigating the Journey, I am dismayed that there would be opposition to this. I am very proud of how we at our school teach this important part of life. I also have a 15 year old who even though I can speak comfortably with students at school I still struggle with conversations at home. I hope that his school are teaching the content as well as we are to support what I am able to do at home.
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s so important! I’m 36 and still unpacking the shame and trauma stemming from early sexual experiences, societal attitudes around them, and the messaging about bodies (shape, size, ability) that I think are part of this too. This kind of education needs to be expanded not whittled down. It makes me really sad to know that religious groups and conservatives are fighting this so hard when the evidence shows that the absence of this education has worse outcomes.
I teach in a junior high and we love the ‘Navigating the Journey’ resource. The analogy with driving is so good! Thanks for that!