Fathers talking with their daughters about sex

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • LA Ute
    Receiver of Memory
    • Nov 2008
    • 19512

    #1

    Fathers talking with their daughters about sex

    This fairly well-known blogger raises some points that interested me as the dad of a 13 year-old girl. I'm wondering what everyone thinks about the LDS perspective on this:

    [T]his deprives girls of a good relationship with the most important man in their lives. And it also tells them that the only people they should listen to are people who are just like them. So much for empathy. Narcissism, anyone?

    And let’s be clear. While Time Magazine sexes up the topic by referring to sex talks, most girls do not want to sit around talking about gross anatomy with their fathers.

    What they do want, and what they would find helpful, is an open line of communication, through which they could learn how boys see them, what it means when boys behave this way or that, how best to negotiate the difficulties of adolescent flirtations.

    Wouldn’t it be a good idea for girls to learn something about the male mind, and, at the same time, to learn how to confide in an adult male whose primary desire is to protect them and help guide their growth and development?

    Today Time Magazine reports two surprising facts: first that girls who enjoy “open communication” with their fathers have a healthier attitude toward sex and dating than do girls who have less communication. Link here.

    As Time Magazine says: "Previous studies have concluded that girls who have open communication with their fathers — about everything — tend to have intercourse later in life and also have fewer sexual partners, both of which can be very good for sexual and mental health."

    And second, that that, for all of the information that they have gleaned about human sexuality-- and they have certainly gleaned a great deal-- young women wish that they had learned more about men from their fathers.

    College aged women reported this in a recent survey.

    In Time’s words: "And, surprisingly, a lot of the women, most of whom were sexually active, wished their fathers had told them more. Specifically, they wanted to hear stuff only guys would know, about how to communicate with men and what the carnal landscape looked like from a male's vantage point."

    If Time and the researchers are surprised, they are also saying that they had not imagined that girls who had not discussed relationship issues with their fathers were being deprived of anything of value.
    Thoughts?
    “There is a great deal of difference in believing something still, and believing it again.”
    ― W.H. Auden


    "God made the angels to show His splendour - as He made animals for innocence and plants for their simplicity. But men and women He made to serve Him wittily, in the tangle of their minds."
    -- Robert Bolt, A Man for All Seasons


    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
    --Antoine de Saint-Exupery
  • Soccermom
    Senior Member
    • Nov 2008
    • 4063

    #2
    My dad was open with me about how guys think and how my actions and behavior would effect them. I loved that my dad told me so much. It was great for me. Kept me on my toes and because my dad told me so much, I could spot the players --and I was a pretty gullible kid. I also think my dad's openness with me helped me avoid what traps some girls -- defining their self esteem/worth by whether or not so and so likes them.

    Comment

    • wuapinmon
      Soul Plumber
      • Dec 2008
      • 30711

      #3
      Originally posted by Soccermom View Post
      My dad was open with me about how guys think and how my actions and behavior would effect them. I loved that my dad told me so much. It was great for me. Kept me on my toes and because my dad told me so much, I could spot the players --and I was a pretty gullible kid. I also think my dad's openness with me helped me avoid what traps some girls -- defining their self esteem/worth by whether or not so and so likes them.
      I was probably 17 before I was able to discern between liking someone for them and liking them because I wanted to have sex with them. Before, it was all a haze of lust. When I think back to my early teens, the emotion that always wells up first is absolute longing.
      "Wuap's "problem" is that he is smart & principled & committed to a moral course of action. His actions are supposed to reflect his ethical code.
      The rest of us rarely bother to think about our actions." --Solon

      Comment

      • COUGALICIOUS
        Junior Member
        • May 2010
        • 85

        #4
        I have 1, 3 and 5 year-old-boys. Please tell me that openness about sex will keep them on the strait and narrow, and I'll bring them home an anatomy book tonight.

        Actually, I already talk to the 5 year old about it really openly. Awhile ago he asked if having sex two days in a row is what made twins. I told him I thought the answer was no. I would appreciate some clarification, but I'm afraid to ask my parents.

        Oh, I totally grew up on a ranch. Yes - my dad did teach me about sex by pointing to a cow that had just been placed in the same field as a bull. He used the words, "People do it the same way."

        Years later, my wife of many years would explain the missionary position. I was all, whaaaaa???
        Last edited by COUGALICIOUS; 10-27-2010, 01:12 PM.
        "I wouldn't give a nickel for the simplicity on this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity."

        -Kyle Whittingham

        Comment

        • jay santos
          Senior Member
          • Nov 2008
          • 13652

          #5
          Completely agree. Very important.

          Comment

          • Uncle Ted
            The Big 12 money shot.
            • Apr 2010
            • 28853

            #6
            I have always been an open book with my daughters and tried to tell them how guys think (given that I am the resident expert). I believe that you can't just tell your daughter "no" but really need give them enough information they come to that conclusion by them self. In fact, our older two daughters didn't kiss a guy (and not the same guy) until they were in college. When they did they told me all about it. Not that I wanted to hear that but I glad they did. I call or IM my older two daughters in college nearly everyday or they call me.

            Our oldest daughter is actually going to graduate in April and isn't married. (Isn't there something about getting a refund from BYU if you are not married by the time you graduate?) I wonder if I have been too open with her and scared her away from guys or, at at least, getting serious with one. Our second daughter, who is starting her junior year, is now engaged to married in April so I guess I have it about right now.
            "If there is one thing I am, it's always right." -Ted Nugent.
            "I honestly believe saying someone is a smart lawyer is damning with faint praise. The smartest people become engineers and scientists." -SU.
            "Yet I still see wisdom in that which Uncle Ted posts." -creek.
            GIVE 'EM HELL, BRIGHAM!

            Comment

            • RC Vikings
              Known Heterosexual
              • Nov 2008
              • 8789

              #7
              Originally posted by COUGALICIOUS View Post
              Actually, I already talk to the 5 year old about it really openly. Awhile ago he asked if having sex two days in a row is what made twins.
              You talk to your five year old about sex?

              Comment

              • Pheidippides
                Liberal Feminazi
                • Nov 2008
                • 14759

                #8
                Originally posted by RC Vikings View Post
                You talk to your five year old about sex?
                We did. She asked and we told. She's now 9, and it's time to have another talk. This time about boys.
                Awesomeness now has a name. Let me introduce myself.

                Comment

                • COUGALICIOUS
                  Junior Member
                  • May 2010
                  • 85

                  #9
                  Originally posted by RC Vikings View Post
                  You talk to your five year old about sex?
                  Yeah. I explain how it works and that it is very important, and not to be taken lightly. I tell him that he can talk to me about it whenever he wants, but that he should only talk to me and his mom about it. Etc. etc. Isn't that pretty benign?
                  "I wouldn't give a nickel for the simplicity on this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity."

                  -Kyle Whittingham

                  Comment

                  • UtahDan
                    *
                    • Nov 2008
                    • 14496

                    #10
                    There is a cliche about girls being easy because their dads didn't give them enough attention for a reason. Like a lot of cliches there is a grain of truth there. Sure seems important to me to attempt to let her know about boys and more than just "they all want to screw you." That of course is true, but there is much more to impart.

                    Comment

                    • COUGALICIOUS
                      Junior Member
                      • May 2010
                      • 85

                      #11
                      To clarify, I am not like: Dude, the other day . . ., or, You know what feels awesome? It is more like, "blah blah blah, mommies and daddies who love eachother very much."
                      "I wouldn't give a nickel for the simplicity on this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity."

                      -Kyle Whittingham

                      Comment

                      • falafel
                        loves to talk on things
                        • Mar 2009
                        • 37932

                        #12
                        Originally posted by nikuman View Post
                        We did. She asked and we told. She's now 9, and it's time to have another talk. This time about boys.
                        Er, why weren't boys included in the last sex talk?
                        Ain't it like most people, I'm no different. We love to talk on things we don't know about.

                        Dig your own grave, and save!

                        "The only one of us who is so significant that Jeff owes us something simply because he decided to grace us with his presence is falafel." -- All-American

                        "I know that you are one of the cool and 'edgy' BYU fans" -- Wally

                        GIVE 'EM HELL, BRIGHAM!

                        Comment

                        • Moliere
                          One man.....one pie
                          • Oct 2009
                          • 27847

                          #13
                          Originally posted by COUGALICIOUS View Post
                          Oh, I totally grew up on a ranch. Yes - my dad did teach me about sex by pointing to a cow that had just been placed in the same field as a bull. He used the words, "People do it the same way."

                          Years later, my wife of many years would explain the missionary position. I was all, whaaaaa???
                          "Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessing of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. And yet for some, “spectator discipleship” is a preferred if not primary way of worshipping." -Pres. Uchtdorf

                          Comment

                          • UtahDan
                            *
                            • Nov 2008
                            • 14496

                            #14
                            Originally posted by falafel View Post
                            Er, why weren't boys included in the last sex talk?
                            My 3 year old has gotten stuck on the idea that she is going to be married some day. She knows mommy and papa are but doesn't get what that means. We have had two tearful discussions over the fact that she can't marry daddy. Recently she asked me again if she could marry me and I said "no honey, it will be some other boy." She says "like grandpa or Uncle Drum?" No, honey, some boy we don't know yet. But who daddy? WHO?!?!

                            I guess my point is that they can understand the whole sex thing at a younger age than the age where they might have a serious thought that they might have sex some day or who that might be with.

                            EDIT: To be clear, my example has nothing to do with sex. She doesn't know about that yet.
                            Last edited by UtahDan; 10-27-2010, 01:50 PM.

                            Comment

                            • myboynoah
                              Senior Member
                              • Nov 2008
                              • 21719

                              #15
                              Originally posted by UtahDan View Post
                              My 3 year old has gotten stuck on the idea that she is going to be married some day. She knows mommy and papa are but doesn't get what that means. We have had two tearful discussions over the fact that she can't marry daddy. Recently she asked me again if she could marry me and I said "no honey, it will be some other boy." She says "like grandpa or Uncle Drum?" No, honey, some boy we don't know yet. But who daddy? WHO?!?!

                              I guess my point is that they can understand the whole sex thing at a younger age than the age where they might have a serious thought that they might have sex some day or who that might be with.

                              EDIT: To be clear, my example has nothing to do with sex. She doesn't know about that yet.
                              I don't think that edit clears this up very well. I think you should try again.
                              Give 'em Hell, Cougars!!!

                              For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.

                              Not long ago an obituary appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune that said the recently departed had "died doing what he enjoyed most—watching BYU lose."

                              Comment

                              Working...