With the advancement of an age of globalization and liberty, a common lament of parents is that their children are growing up too fast. While the innocent questions of the “birds and the bees” no longer find a place in a parent’s list of queries to answer, children today are already equipped with all the information they need about reproduction, courtesy the internet.
Like it is common nowadays for children to be obsessed with brands, it is also considered normal for them to have a boyfriend or girlfriend and a very tender age, without which they tend to feel left out. The spurt in teenage sexual activities has lead to advanced risks of unsafe sex, sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy. While it is a very sensitive issue to deal with, it is necessary for children to be careful about their bodies and realize its potentials.
The female reproductive system serves one of the most intricate and complicated functions of the human body. While children are still in the process of discovering changes in their bodies, they need to be made aware of the risks and dangers associated with unsafe and uninformed choices. For example, some girls are afraid of their menstrual cycles starting because it involves pain and blood. However, once it is explained to them that they get their period because of the shedding of their uterine wall, the concept becomes less frightening. Young girls need to be made aware not only of their outward physical changes but the changes that take place within. It needs to be explained to them that the two ovaries they have produce an egg every month, alternatingly. The uterus prepares itself by creating a thick nutritious wall to receive the embryo if the egg is fertilized. If it is not fertilized, the egg is discharged with the wall by powerful contractions. This causes the bleeding and the pain during the 4-5 days of the menstrual cycle.
Young girls also need to be made aware of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. They should not have multiple partners and should always ensure that their partners wear a condom. If not, they should be made aware of the female contraceptives available in the market. They should be also informed about the risks associated with teenage pregnancy and the social stigma that is carried along with it. While educating children about reproductive health, it is necessary to stick to facts and not go into long-winded moralistic discourses.
To prevent vaginal infections and rashes, they should wash their genitals with warm water regularly and use light, sanitized cotton innerwear. In some cases, young girls develop painless lump-like fibroids in their breasts which are nothing but benign tumours. However, if there is any confusion, it is advisable to consult a doctor and go for regular check-ups.
While it is difficult to prevent kids from learning about the human reproductive system, it is possible to educate them about their bodies and warn them of the risks associated with unsafe sexual activities.
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