#letstalkabout
These posts feature on my social media and seek to break down and explain topics you might find tricky to approach. Help make the subjects less embarrassing and empower you to start or get involved in these conversations in a more informed, confident way.
It’s important to remember that by informing young people we are empowering them to make healthy decisions. Rather than letting them learn from sources such as porn, media, rumour and guess work. Where normal sexual behaviours displayed and discussed may be skewed.
Talking to others, especially children and young people, about sex is often something many find uncomfortable. No matter your confidence with such subjects, we often find subconsciously we have absorbed messages of shame causing us embarrassment and anxiety. We find ourselves freezing, tripping over our words and uncertain of what to say. #letstalkabout hopes help you approach these difficult conversations
Use the arrows on the sides of the tiles to look through each gallery of slides.
Stealthing
Stealthing was something brilliantly addressed in BBCs I May Destroy You - a series that is on my EVERYONE MUST WATCH list. This raised awareness, of what it was and the impact.
Here’s a brief overview about what it is, why it’s done and how it affects consent as well as touching on the impact on victims.
Sex Positivity
I often talk about providing sex positive education. Or you’ll see it in my hashtags etc.
But what is it? What does it mean? And how can it help us move forward with difficult conversations and taboo topics.
Sex & History
There are so many that speak on some of this better than me:
Dr Karen Gurney, Reeta Loi, Ericka Hart to name just a few.
But here is a brief overview to consider when talking to young people. It’s not just about the immediate influences you see surrounding us. But a much bigger more involved picture.
Consent
Arguably the most important subject when it comes to sexual interaction. I hope you find it useful.
Oral Sex
Up close and personal, an act that can provide great pleasure and satisfaction but can also be intimidating and full of uncertainty.
Important to remember that oral sex doesn’t have to be a performance. Being present, experiencing the sensations, exploring & explaining your likes and dislikes is key.
Male Circumcision
Here in the UK it’s not something experienced by the majority and so not often spoken about unless it’s of medical concern.
Many in the UK and Europe would likely assume it was a religious choice. But that’s not always the main consideration made when it comes to Male Circumcision.
These considerations globally are frequently made by adults for children. Therefore lack consent and are problematic.
Studies around the pros and cons of this procedure of conflicting. Many assumptions are made both for and against.
I’ve tried to give a balanced views of the perceptions on both sides. The factors shown all have conflicting studies for and against. So I hope this briefly sums up this difficult topic.
(Please note if you have concerns about your foreskin or circumcision contact a medical professional.)
Washing Genitals
Talking to kids about body parts we deem as private and sexual can be hard. Intrusive thoughts and anxiety are common when we start to bathe and change our babies from birth.
By teaching them this small step in self care we give them ownership, knowledge and control over this most intimate area of their body.
Periods
Known by so many crude names:
On the blob
Time of the month
Aunt flo
To name just a few…
Periods are a subject that can make many feel uncomfortable.
But it is important to understand periods and all that is associated with them.
This is a brief introduction into the social world of periods!
Whether you menstruate or not you are likely to have someone in your life who does. So by understanding their situation better you can not only improve that relationship but work towards better understanding others.
I hope you find it useful.
Period products are now available for all state schools and colleges to order with government funding. So that free sanitary products are available for all pupils if needed!
Anal
I’ve mentioned anal briefly a couple of times recently and received a few messages asking for more information on how to enjoy anal more.
Anal play can be really enjoyable resulting in deeper orgasms or a different type of pleasure for many.
But understandably it isn’t for all.
Here are a few beginners tips for anal play.
Pregnancy
Where do babies come from? How did I get in your tummy?
So many questions. Such inquisitive minds.
Here’s a little take on children’s questions surrounding pregnancy. And how we can begin to tackle those conversations.
This weeks #letstalkabout covers pregnancy.
But this is a huge subject to cover so this is a only brief introduction and my take on where we can begin.
Pubic Hair
These conversations about body changes and differences may make you feel unintentionally uncomfortable because of the experiences of that you have had.
Perhaps because of the unease you could see your parents suffering with when you posed such questions to them? Or how you found out about topics like this.
Try to be aware of the tension and discomfort that automatically reacts inside you when these topics are raised.
Pubic Hair is personal preference.
Pubic hair is normal.
Pubic hair is your choice.
“Virginity”
Talking to young people on the cusp of sexual activity can always be tricky.
But when we involve the term ‘virginity’ it can take it from tricky to problematic.
Scroll through to understand ways to talk about first sexual experiences.
Masturbation
Masturbation is normal. In some circumstances concerning over sexualised behaviour displayed may be a sign of abuse. Consider if the behaviour displayed is developmentally appropriate for their age.