When should children/teens be talked to about puberty?

[Sugaree]

I personally think that it should be at least 12 to 14 years of age because that's the beginning stages.

What age do you think children/teens (boys and girls) be talked to about puberty and bodily changes?

[BeautifulSilence]

Well, I've always been told that children unknowingly (is that a word?) start puberty at around 10/11 (just growing for most) so I think it should be around that time. Even if they haven't started whatsoever, then they're gonna be prepared for what's going to happen.

[Gavin]

Well i kinda disagree here, I started sex education when i was 11 at high school, and that really put me straight about puberty, STD's and other sorts of changes that go through your body.

It's a programme called PSHCE, most of the people from the uk will of hopefully know about it, we have one set subject out of, bullying, sexual education, drugs & alcohol, smoking and other sorts, that will last for about 5-6 weeks then we move on to another subject out of those listed above.

It really helped me to understand the important side of life at an early age

[Sugaree]

Wait a moment.....you were 11 when you went into high school?

[BeautifulSilence]

Yep, we had it when I was 11 and just moved upto Secondary School. It was PSHE (often shortened to PSE) and there was only one teacher in the whole school who thought it. But then he retired and it became a free lesson. Then they gave us a 'Get Life' lesson in year 9 which was supposed to be the same but eventually turned out to be focusing on mainly "future choices"...

[byee]

When they ask. The answers need to be tailored to their age and maturity, so they understand the answers.

[Gavin]

Wait a moment.....you were 11 when you went into high school?

Yeah, 11 years old

[Zephyr]

11 years old, that's when we first has sex ed.
Just the right age because most girls that I've known started going through puberty then...
Heck, my sister started her period at 10 or 11,
So it's the right age.

[Nihilus]

I think it should be the ages 12-14. When they teach you younger you tend to goof around more than pay attention.

[Dolphus Raymond]

I think "when they ask" is a good answer but I'll qualify it. A parent has to have an open relationship with their kid, otherwise the kid isn't going to feel comfortable to ask. I do think it depends on the kid's responsibility and maturity levels too.

[richard001]

about 11 i think

[The Pretender]

I first had it in S1 (8th grade for you Americans).

[Gavin]

I first had it in S1 (8th grade for you Americans).

What's S1 btw ?

[Ryandel]

I got mine at about 6th grade but it wasn't really detailed and stuff. It wasn't until S1 that I got the full low down on it.

[MoveAlong]

I think "when they ask" is a good answer but I'll qualify it. A parent has to have an open relationship with their kid, otherwise the kid isn't going to feel comfortable to ask. I do think it depends on the kid's responsibility and maturity levels too.

I also agree with this and think this comes into play too.

maybe they can be talked to about it before puberty throughout their childhood. Like, if they ask what it is, don't say "ooh you'll understand later" or "it's horrible", because it gives the wrong impression and will probably encourage them to hate it because they don't understand it.

a parent of the same sex as the kid can explain the differences between their bodies, for instance

Maybe get a book that explains things in a very light way so they can get perspective before it hits them all at once. If they have questions, and especially when they're 11 on, tell them.

I had a book explaining what sex was in a very childish way (like, oh, everything needs to make babies, and here's how plants do it, here's how dogs do it, and here's how people do it) when I was like less than 10. I think that it's good to introduce things like this early in a light way.

Like think about this: do you want to shelter your children so much that when a pet dies, you hide it, but when a relative dies, what about the funeral? Let them understand it so it doesn't scare or confuse them.

[Texmex21]

Well i never had the talk so idk. Im guessing they should be told like at age 10

[jma94]

I really think it depends on the child/teen. If they are mature enough, possibly an earlier age. If not, maybe wait. But if, of course, they ask, then maybe tell them a bit if they are ready. Personally, my gardian could have cared less and thought it would have been to awkward for her so I never got that talk.

[alicia]

I never really had the talk with my mom cause i did my best to avoid it :P
But when I was in grade 4-5-6 health unit came to schools tot alk about it :P
So I was about 9-11 ? or something.

[george]

Well for most schools, they have like a video or a class about it. For me, we watched a video in the 5th grade about puberty and what not. I think around 12-14 because thats when most kids notice differences about their body.

[Gumleaf]

i had my first sex ed class in yr 5. most people were 10 or 11 and i think thats a good time to start talking about it. leave it any later, and it'll be too late.

[Requin]

I think you should be taught when i was which was when you were about 10 or 11 years old. Thats' the year before you go up to secondry school btw.

[Random_oso06]

i never got sex ed in my skool but most of the people in my skool all ready knew before 10 or 11 so everyone is different

[kerry]

i was taught around the age of 10/11.year 5. At that age everyone was very immature
and so we didn't learn much. i think it should be around that age as it is where people are starting puberty >...<

[Agent-Mahone]

i think at 13

[Caliginous]

I think that age 11 is a bit too late in this society. For one thing, kids learn from their friends about these things, rather than asking their parents. Also, kids are starting puberty earlier.

[Oblivion]

Almost a year old. Please don't bump old threads. Locking