Please help with essay "Do children learn to view sex as inherently sinful? If so, how do they learn this? "

Question

How were you taught about sex and sexual desire? Do you think culture comes into it? Do you think our parents' attitude to it is very influential?

I am on a child psychology course, and would value your opinions

Answer 1

I think that children learn that sex is sinful from their parents mostly, and that is supported to a certain extent by their culture.

I grew up with parents who were open about sex being a natural part of life and never perceived it as sinful.

My mom got me a book to read about where babies come from (chickens and eggs, etc.) when I must have asked that question at about age 6.

I am raising my children the same way, and it is interesting to see how they get different attitudes from school or TV, and then draw conclusions.

Answer 2

I think society has quite alot to do with sex being something as over rated,too many exposures to pornographic things,they're even on the xbox games children play!! My son has come home from school with alot of talk about sex and he is only age 9,so it makes me wonder what children actually talk about in the playground these days! I think if you openly talk to your children about it when they're an appropriate age then that's good as they'll learn sex is something people do when they love one another,i think parent's points of view are very encouraging to a child,as children we grow up to trust in our parents,i know when i was a child i thought my mum had the answer for everything,so yes,i do think a parent's attitute is very influential

Answer 3

I am 48 years old now.... but my oarents had a very healthy attitude on sex and always did. First, during world war II when they bagan dating, mixed realtionships were a big no no and tmy mom was Japanese and my father of Russian Descent. They lived together for many years before my father was told that he needed to $%#^% or get off the pot..... he had a fhard time making a committment to my mother because of the racial difference. Both of my parents were progressive and way before their time. Yes, they lived together but had a monogomous relationship for 7 years before they married. They believed in sex before marriage in a healthy simple way... anything goes between two consenting and MATURE adults. They did not think it was okay to go sleep with anyone and everyone..... but did not veliee that you had to wait until you married. They were probably experimental with eachother (Too much information for me.... ha) but were not inclined towards strange inclinations...like swapping or s and m or threesomes. They instilled into me a healthy sense of self.... of love and of good choices... never to sleep with someone just for the hell of it. I hope that I am instilling the same good values that my parents gave me into my children.

I think that if parents start telling their children they will go to hell if they have sex or that it is wrong, they will confuse their children when they grow up. They will always have those words and thoughts in th e back oftheir minds. Not a great idea. Yes, I think that parents thoughts on the subject is extremely influential.

Answer 4

i think it all depends on how you were raised as you already know. i was taught about sex at an early age by my mum, (and yes, i still cringe at that talk we had) and i learnt that is a part of nature, and its not a dirty thing unless you want to make it dirty, which means your doing it for the wrong reasons.
we were told that having sex, every one will experience at some stage in their lives, all at different ages.
some younger than others
i believe that parents have to, in some way mould you in the way you think about things.
i think the more open you can be with your children about sex, or any thing else is the only way to stop your child from thinking about things as sinful, or dirty, or anything negative in any way.
i suppose cultures would come in to it in so many ways. in many cultures we hear how women should only be intimate with their husbands, which means no sex before marriage, and if it did happen, you would be considered as so many things.
for people to percieve sex as sinful, would have to have some kind negative experience with sex, and unfortuatly ,pass it on, down to future generations, and others, making it fearful for them, when it should be seen as enjoyment, freedom, and love.
with out it, where would we all be???

Answer 5

The question should refer to the misuse of sex, sex is not sinful, to give it that label leads to confusion to a child.

Answer 6

age and nature will teach every thing at appropriate time