This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
Why Parents Must Give Children the Sex Talk Early Enough ¶
With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing schools to close, parents have been left to take on the responsibility of educating their children about sex. However, a recent study by the Kenya Health System Survey has revealed that many parents are failing to do so, leading to a surge in teenage pregnancies.
According to the study, Machakos County reported approximately 3,964 teenage pregnancies between January and May this year. This number peaked after March, when schools were officially closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ministry of Education has dismissed the numbers as 'obnoxious,' but the issue remains a concern for many parents. Faith Ogaya, a trainer in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Interventions, advises parents to avoid using derivatives when explaining sex and reproductive concerns to their children.
"Parents mess up by lying the moment their children start getting curious and start asking questions about their private parts," Ogaya says. "Why call a penis 'dudu'? Children should know their sexual parts early enough, call a spade a spade."
Ogaya emphasizes the importance of initiating talks on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) as early as when children are two to five years old. Parents should teach their children, both boys and girls, the difference between 'good touch' and 'bad touch,' as in most cases, children are abused by people familiar to them.
"Your child trusts you more than anyone in the world. Create a safe space for them because at that early stage, you are all they have. Tell them that nobody should touch their private parts, and if someone does, they should immediately tell you," Ogaya advises.
With the rise of technology, parenting has become more complicated. Children are now learning about their reproductive health through the internet, often without the guidance of their parents. As a parent, it's essential to equip your child with the right information before they wade off your guidance.
"Do not leave your children to guess on their own. Without proper guidance, they follow their own intuition and fall prey to predators and teenage pregnancies. Do not raise your children like sex is a taboo in society," Ogaya urges.
