Sexual Images

Sex is a great thing for adults. As a matter of fact, it can be a very rewarding experience. Sex can improve your life, promoting better health and over all well being.

But, what about when our children are exposed to sexual images? You don't have to be real smart to know that early exposure to sexual images can have a detrimental effect on children. Everywhere you look you can see images of couples in sexual embrace. A 5 minute wait in the grocery store line can provide more information than a young child needs. A journey around the television remote exposes them, often to the extreme. Kids are exposed to so much sexuality they accept it as the norm.

Remember all the struggles you experienced growing up? If you are over 30, the level of exposure to sexual images has changed drastically since you were young. Even without the exposure the mainstream media provides today, growing up was tough. Sex is portrayed as glamorous, the best road to popularity and success.

Everywhere you turn, you see bad examples being set for our children ... don't like your partner? No problem...just get another. Don't want a relationship? No problem...it's just sex. You don't have to "be in love" to have sex. Is there any wonder why teenage pregnancies are at an all time high? Is there any reason to wonder why our teens are so promiscuous? In the 50's (no I am not that old), only 1 out of every 10 high school girls were actively sexual. Now reports show that 7 out of 10 are sexually active during their early teen years. Think about it. One of those young girls may be yours. Is that really what you want for your child?

We need to take every opportunity we can find to teach our children. They should be taught again that sexual pleasure should be reserved for committed relationships. They should be taught that sex is for mature adults, not for children who are struggling to become adults. With sex comes decisions that have lifelong effects and mature adults better make these decisions. Our children should be taught that sex does not guarantee a long term or satisfying relationship. It does not come with promises of success or satisfaction. They need to be taught that careless sex can result in life altering circumstances.

Even if your child does not appear to be listening, they are. Many voices will challenge you for your child's attention, but if you speak to your child with love, your voice will be the one they hear. But they can only hear you if you speak.