Parents are generally apprehensive about discussing the taboo topic of sex with their children. But with recent statistics from the Ministry of Health showing that HIV infection doubled in the age group 10-24 between 1995 and 2007, sex education for children has to be at the forefront.

There were more than 200 reported AIDS cases among adolescents as at June 2007.

Jacqueline Carterwas irate when her six-year-old came home recently and told her that a teacher taught her about sex and HIV/AIDS.

"This is wrong!" Carter said. "I sent my child to school to learn about everything else but sex. How dare them to try to corrupt and confuse my poor child who has not even fully understood why she is here."

The Ministry of Education has introduced a Health and Family Life Curriculum at the early childhood level. But Carter said HIV/AIDS and sex should not be featured at this level

DIFFERENT OPINION

However, Sydney Gyles thinks otherwise. "I don't have a problem teaching my child about sex and HIV and AIDS," Gyles told Saturday Life. He notes that kids need to understand the mechanics and consequences of sex by the time they are at least six years old.

"Children know about sex from early. It is a misconception that children don't become aware until they reach puberty," Gyles argued.

He said adults who oppose sex education for children are living in denial.

"Flashback to the playhouse game and almost every adult will admit some sexual type of contact or feeling," he said.

Likewise, Michelle Allen, a 35-year-old mother of two tweenagers, said it was important for parents to share the cold hard facts on sex and its dangers.

"It is better I tell them about sex than someone else feeds them with the wrong information," Allen stated.

Furthermore, she notes that HIV can be contracted by methods other than sex and children need to know about the disease.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Name withheld

Determine the right age to broach the subject. Start young, but not before your child is developmentally ready. Toddlers can learn the correct names for their private parts, and then proceed from that point.

Decide the appropriate time to talk about sex. Tell your kids the facts before they hear them or experience it somewhere else. They will be talking about sex with friends at school earlier than you might think.

Rehearse your lines. Prepare your thoughts ahead of time; don't ad lib. Don't repeat the lines by rote, but jot down key points and make sure you hit all of them.

Be honest. Don't tip-toe around words or topics. Tell your kids the facts about sex. Discuss the consequences of sexual actions.

Be prepared for their reaction. If they are embarrassed, tell them it is OK to feel uncomfortable. Ask them questions and be ready to answer them honestly. If their questions are about your experiences, remember you are the parent and there are some things your child does not need to know.

Reassure your children that they can always come to you with their questions. Let them know you will always be there to listen

Source: ehow.com