By Dina Alexander, MS
Sometimes we put off or avoid important conversations because they are challenging, they are embarrassing, we have no idea where to begin, or we are scared we will screw it up. These are common concerns we have heard from countless parents in the past few years as our organization has grown. And it is the reason why we have made facing tough topics our number one priority.
Our latest book, How to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography, makes it easy for any parent to start these “talks” with their kids. Despite its short (64 pages) format, it is a very comprehensive review of the dangers created by online pornography. The book also addresses how to approach these varied dangers. Each section is simple and straightforward, full of helpful, insightful information, and finished with thought-provoking discussion questions.
This book was written for busy but committed parents who are ready to approach this topic but may be unsure where to begin. There are tips for parents such as creating a plan for YOU when your kids are exposed AND creating a plan for THEM when they are exposed.
Some of the topics included in the book are: Defining Pornography, Addiction, Media Literacy, Curiosity is Normal, Healthy Sexual Intimacy, and Creating a Home of Openness.
For younger kids, we have simpler, reassuring discussion questions such as:
“Why is it normal to be curious about sex?”
“What would you do if a friend showed you pornography?”
“Some people seek out pornography when tired, bored, lonely, sad or stressed out. What do you do when you have these types of feelings? How do you cope?
For richer, more mature discussions, we have included questions that address the hateful, misogynistic nature of pornography. For example:
“Why are racism and cultural stereotypes celebrated in pornography, when they are generally rejected in all other areas of pop culture?”
“What does it mean for us as a society that a majority of boys (and girls) are watching cruel, violent pornography as a means of sexual education?”
“Some experts (Dines, 2010) argue that porn hijacks our sexuality by relentlessly telling us what sex “ought” to be. Should a person create his own unique, healthy sexuality without influences from media or porn? Or does he need “help” from these outside influences?”
Now a major public health issue, pornography consumption among kids needs to be addressed by caring adults! How to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography is the best resource available for parents and teachers to educate their kids about the dangers of porn, to prepare them for inevitable exposure to it, and to help them understand why it will be to their benefit to reject it.
How to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon. It is also available in .
Dina Alexander is the founder and president of Educate and Empower Kids, an organization determined to strengthen families by forging powerful connection. She is the creator of How to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography and the 30 Days of Sex Talks and 30 Days to a Stronger Child programs. She received her master’s degree in recreation therapy from the University of Utah and her bachelors from Brigham Young University. She is an amazing mom and loves spending time with her husband and three kids.
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Citations:
Dines, G. (2010). Pornland: How Porn has Hijacked Our Sexuality. Boston: Beacon Press.
Scott, A. (2014, August 29). Why We Need to Fight for Our Kids’s Healthy Sexuality. Retrieved from https://educateempowerkids.org/why-we-need-to-fight-for-our-kids-healthy-sexuality/
