When I tell people that I write about sexuality, some are enthusiastic or curious. More often, people cringe, or get pale, or flush. Sex is such an uncomfortable topic that we have a physical reaction to the mere mention of it. Folks have sex and (hopefully) enjoy it…but talking about it is a whole ‘nuther […]
TalkStarter for Teens: So, What Are You Reading These Days?
Is the stuff your kids read having an impact on their understanding of sex and relationships? Probably. Whether that’s a good thing or not so good may depend on the material—and whether you’ve given them context that helps them put their reading in perspective. Some teens are big readers; others may rarely pick up a […]
TalkStarter: Gender and Restrooms
There’s been a lot in the news lately about who can use which restrooms. A recent federal mandate requires schools to permit students to use the restroom that matches their gender identity, even if that’s not the sex on their birth certificate. Whatever your views on the subject, it’s a great opener for talking with […]
Talking about Sex: What a Difference a Word Makes
Often, it’s not so much what we say as the way we say it. Case in point: the words we use to talk about sex, especially when talking with our children (or whenever they can hear us). Think about these alternatives: Have sex Screw Fornicate Do one’s “wifely duty” Get laid F**k Be intimate Make […]
Planting Seeds for Kids’ Sexual Health
When your kids grow up, do you want them to have healthy sex lives? When they’re adults, do you hope they have pleasurable, responsible, fun sexual experiences? Of course you do. We don’t want our kids to have sex too early, we don’t want them to get hurt, and we don’t want them to risk […]
“My Daughter Can’t Date ’til She’s 40”
Have you ever heard anyone say that? Or maybe said it yourself? When I’ve heard the expression, it’s always been from the father of a young girl. He sometimes adds, “I know how teenage boys are—I used to be one.” It’s a joke, but only sort of. The father’s motivation, of course, is protective. He […]
TalkStarter for Teens: Use the News
It seems like every day there’s some sort of sex-related scandal in the news: sexual assaults on some campus, a politician or athlete having an affair, allegations of sexual harassment in some organization. These unhappy situations have one silver lining: They can create a topic of conversation with teens. Teens are most likely to resonate […]
TalkStarter for Adults: What Did You Know About Your Parents’ Love Life?
Were yours the sort of parents who danced in the kitchen and cuddled on the couch? Or the sort who never touched each other? Were they very discreet and un-touchy, but had a sparkle in their eyes sometimes when they looked at each other, so that, looking back, you can tell there was chemistry? Or […]