You have a choice to make parents. You can either allow the harsh immorality
of the streets laced with free porn, strip clubs and filth to educate your children;
turn them over to the immaturity of their peers’ ideas and misconceptions; or
you can open the dialogue and extend the invitation about sex at home to
ensure that they receive the correct age-appropriate information. This way
when they hear about it, and we know they will hear about it, you have already
set the foundation of healthy discourse that the door is open to get the right
information directly from you.
The alternative of turning your back on the subject births just what society has
fostered, an environment of dirty little secrets that kill, steal and destroy the
innocence that we are trying so hard to protect.
I realize it will more than likely be uncomfortable for you to start the
conversation. But wouldn’t an unplanned pregnancy, an STD, or God forbid, an
unreported sexual assault be a worse cross to bear? Ayana was victimized,
because she was so innocent. Her parents never told her about sex, because
they didn’t know they needed to. In 2014, we don’t have that excuse. I am
almost willing to bet my life that if Ayana knew she should tell, felt she had
someone to talk to or how to describe what was happening to her she would
not have had to sacrifice 6 years of childhood and probably a lifetime of
heartache and broken relationships.
I urge you to please, for the love of your children, start the conversation today.
There are many resources available to you on the internet with conversations
aids to help start the dialogue. There are also agencies, counselors (some even
available in our schools) who specialize in this area. I won’t begin to tell you the
direction you should take in speaking to your child, because no one should
know them better than you. But I will beg you from the bottom of my heart that
if you haven’t, please start the conversation today. Their lives, their hearts, and
their future relationships just might depend on it.
About Rochelle Ford
Rochelle Ford is a community activist, Certified Domestic Violence/Sexual
Assault Counselor/Advocate in Solano County from Vallejo, CA. She aims to
enlighten readers with encouraging perspectives on daily challenges
based on the peaks/valleys of her own experiences. Connect with her at
[email protected]
Tibay Trans4orm Magazine, Life a Full, Authentic Life | June 2014
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