ChrisL
Diamond Member
At what age? Children ages 5 to 8 are certainly aware of sexual differences and do have sexual feeling. However, ages 9 thru 12 are when these kids really become very interested in sex. This includes masturbation, pornography, experimentation with the same and/or opposite sex. It's really in these years, that kids discover their sexual attractions, opposite sex, same sex, or both. However, they may not admit it to themselves or others. These are the years when they need the help of adults, hopefully parents, to help them understand their sexual feelings without telling them how they should feel. I think most parents can't or won't do this.I certainly have no issues with girls dressing like girls, knowing they are girls, celebrating their own gender. Ditto for boys. I see that as a very healthy thing. No child should have to grow up thinking his/her gender was something to be dismissed as unimportant any more than anything else about himself or herself. I also have no problem with boys and girls appreciating each other as their own gender with their own inate characteristics and abilities.
The only place I draw the line is when we discourage children from following their dreams and interests purely based on their gender.
But what if their goal is to be the other gender?
Do you think it's healthy to encourage such things in young children? Do you believe that a young child would really understand his or her own sexuality?
If the child is LBGT then suppressing them would be unhealthy IMO.
Does a child really know WHAT they are? I don't think so.
Do you have any children? Do you consider your children to be knowing or knowledgeable about sex? Do you think there are things that can interfere with their "normal" sexual development? Do you think it possible for children to become confused about their sexuality?