| It's the parents' job, but they could | | | | I’ve always believed that the best |
| use all the help they can get | | | | “sex education” program a Catholic |
| Parents know and love their children | | | | elementary school could have would be |
| more than anyone else ever possibly | | | | aimed completely at the parents. Each |
| could. They know when their child is | | | | year, a (mandatory) evening or two would |
| ready to hear about the “facts of | | | | be held for each grade’s parents. In |
| life,” and they can provide a safe, | | | | these evenings parents would be taught |
| private setting for imparting such | | | | why the Church teaches what she does |
| graphic, personal information. | | | | about human sexuality, and how to share |
| So is there a role for the parish and | | | | that information with their children in |
| the school? I believe that there is. | | | | an age-appropriate manner. If any |
| First of all, many parents struggle with | | | | programming were held in the classroom, |
| their role as primary educator -- | | | | it would be limited to some kind of |
| especially in this area. Human sexuality | | | | “virtue education” giving the |
| is vitally important. It goes to the | | | | children the underpinnings of respect |
| core of the human person. And what’s | | | | for the human person which they would |
| more, it poses the single most serious | | | | need for an adequate understanding of |
| threat to our children's’ souls in | | | | human sexuality. No explicit sexual |
| today’s society. If we get anything | | | | discussion would be held; rather the |
| right, it had better be this. | | | | parents would have those discussions on |
| Unfortunately, however, most of | | | | an individual basis as their child |
| today’s parents weren’t so | | | | indicated a readiness to hear the |
| well-formed on the topic themselves. | | | | information. |
| Many never heard “the talk” from | | | | I’m waiting for this ideal program of |
| their parents. And many who did really | | | | mine to be written. I’m beginning to |
| heard nothing more than a rushed, | | | | get the impression, however, that since |
| embarrassed overview which raised as | | | | it’s my ideal program, I’m going to |
| many questions as it answered. Today’s | | | | have to write it myself. |
| parents are products of the sexual | | | | Meanwhile, there are some other |
| revolution. We grew up in an era when | | | | excellent programs being held in various |
| all the rules were being thrown out. So | | | | Catholic schools and parishes. Some, for |
| what are the rules these days? If | | | | instance, are holding mother/daughter |
| “free love” didn’t work and | | | | and father/son nights for parents who |
| “repression” didn’t work, what’s | | | | remain uneasy about discussing the |
| left? And what does the Church really | | | | “facts of life” with their children |
| teach, anyway? I think it’s mostly | | | | in a one-on-one setting. In these |
| “no,” isn’t it? | | | | sessions, the child attends with the |
| We can’t answer questions when we | | | | same-sex parent (or, in single-parent |
| don’t know the answers ourselves. And | | | | families, with the opposite-sex parent |
| with an issue as important as sexuality, | | | | or a same-sex role model). The |
| we want to make sure the answers are | | | | discussion focuses on the facts of life, |
| right. | | | | presented in a positive, respectful |
| The Catholic Church has a responsibility | | | | context with an emphasis on the gift and |
| here to help parents. We know the | | | | the sacredness of human sexuality. These |
| teachings -- we need to share them. We | | | | programs are light-years away from |
| need to help parents impart this | | | | classroom “sex education.” For |
| information to the children in the most | | | | starters, the program is optional and |
| sensitive, age-appropriate way possible. | | | | spans several grades. The parents decide |
| We need to help them to put it into the | | | | when their child is ready. The |
| context of faith, to avoid the twin | | | | discussion takes place in a safe |
| mistakes of being too blunt (minimizing | | | | environment with no opposite-sex peers |
| the child’s sense of the sacredness of | | | | present. And, with the parents present, |
| human sexuality) or too harsh (giving | | | | the door is opened to further |
| the impression that sex is somehow dirty | | | | parent-child discussion in the weeks and |
| or evil). | | | | months to come. |