The Culture of Sex Our Children Face
“This cannot be for real!” was the first thought that entered my head as I stood in front of the bulletin board.
I had arrived early to speak at a local university and, while wandering the hallways, was immediately drawn to a bright, rainbow coloured poster which read “Healthy Sexuality Week”. It promoted an entire week of workshops and seminars sponsored by the university’s homosexual club, feminist club, and student union, supposedly to encourage the “healthy” expression and practice of sex among students. From the roster of sessions offered, it quickly became clear that “healthy” was code for “deviant” as any mention of abstinence, monogamy or marriage was nowhere to be found. Rather, students were invited to come and explore anything but, including: an introductory course on ‘kinky sex’, complete with demonstrations and directions on how to get involved; a workshop on transsexuality in the porn industry; and for fun a XXX Jeopardy game night complete with sex toy prizes for the winners.
This is the age where what was once only whispered about in dark corners is now openly promoted, celebrated and lauded in our highest halls of learning as the natural expressions of “healthy sexuality”. While some may feel shock over this generation’s ‘sudden’ and ‘drastic’ plunge into what amounts to unabashed sexual licence, in truth, its foundation was laid long before any of us were born.
In as early as the mid-1800s, the influential poet Ralph Waldo Emerson declared the core of Enlightenment thought that was capturing the West when he said:
“No law can be sacred to me but that of my own nature. Good and bad are but names very readily transferable to this or that.”
By banishing God as ruler and his Law as rule for living, Western culture has left itself an un-fillable void and separated human nature from its essence. Without the Creator to give sexual desire a divinely intended purpose (i.e. union in marriage and childbearing to the glory of God), mankind’s sexual impulse has become its own object, with gratification and self-expression as its only goal.
Many Christian parents fear for their children growing up in a generation such as this, wondering how they can protect them from the constant barrage of sexual messages from the world. Well, don’t lose hope and don’t give in to fear. You are still the number one influencer in shaping how your child thinks about and views sex—and as a follower of Jesus you have a heavenly Father who loves your children even more than you do.
Bearing these truths in mind, begin making the following disciplines a priority in your daily family rhythm:
- Pray for your kids EVERY DAY.
- Begin discussing God’s plan for sex (in age appropriate ways) early in your parenting, so it becomes normal for your kids to talk to you about it. If you find that awkward, get over it.
- Find good teaching resources and USE THEM.
Here are some of my top recommendations:
- How and When to Tell Your Kids About Sex, by Stan and Brenna Jones (with companion guides)
- Teaching True-Love to a Sex-at-13 Generation, by Eric & Leslie Ludy
- Hold On to Your Kids, by Gorden Neufled and Gabor Mate
- Good Pictures Bad Pictures, by Kristen A. Jenson and Gail Poyner