Talking to Teens About Sex: Lessons from Sex Education and Euphoria
Episode Overview
Exploring societal discomfort and lack of education on teenagers' sexual development Emphasizing the need for open and supportive conversations about sexuality within families Advocating for empowering teenagers to navigate healthy sexual relationships Highlighting the impact of parental influence on adolescents' understanding of sexuality Encouraging a more open and curious approach to addressing teenage sexuality
Sex was something you had when you were married and it was bad up until that point, which is curious, right, that we expect teenagers to think sex is bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. Then you get married and suddenly you're supposed to think it's a beautiful wonderful amazing thing after having you know thought it was a horrible horrible thing through all your sexual development years
Why is chatting about sex with our teens so awkward? And why does the topic of masturbation make us squirm? In this episode of 'When Therapists Watch TV', host Dr. Terri Bly and guest therapist Heather Reidinger tackle these tricky questions head-on. They dive into the Netflix hit 'Sex Education' and HBO's 'Euphoria' to shed light on how these shows handle teen sexuality.
With over fifteen years in the mental health field, Heather brings her expertise, particularly in working with adolescents, to the table. They discuss the importance of having open, honest conversations about sex and sexuality with our kids. They highlight how avoiding these talks can lead to confusion and poor decision-making among teenagers. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone keen on helping teens build healthy sexual identities.
It's not just about the birds and the bees; it's about empowering our young ones to make informed choices and feel comfortable in their own skin.