by Kimberly Devine

Created on: December 30, 2008

Our children are learning how to identify with their sexual self from television, magazines, music and their friends. Many parents are uneasy with discussing sexuality or are unaware of the current need. There is a crisis looming in the United States today, as our children are learning about sex through popular culture. Make sexual identity an elective or a section in health class, but school is the only forum with enough access to the next generation and the capability to stave off this crisis.

Our children must be taught to value themselves for their gender and sexuality. The discussion should include education and the self-respect required for abstinence. Let a child feel that his strength is the cause for his virginity, because society is telling him he is less manly for it. Both sense of self and sex are easily exploited. We need to give our children the tools to protect themselves

First, it is important to consider what sexual identity entails. Simply, sexual identity indicates what one thinks of him or herself as a woman or a man. There has never been a time of more confusion on this issue. Our children are being taught by this culture that a girl's ONLY value is her sexual desirability. They are being taught that if a boy is not tough and rude, he must be gay.

There are so many beautiful personality types in this world that our popular culture ignores or shuns. The chubby, smart girl is somehow less of a woman. The poetic, artistic boy is less of a man. It is important that we teach these children to celebrate themselves. Even if a parent is aware and talks with his or her child, often the child feels they are out of touch. A school classroom with discussion will allow our children to be aware of the confusions and insecurities of their peers. It can open eyes and offer a sense of value.

Another thing to consider is the changing landscape of our culture. It is no longer acceptable to be intolerant and judgemental. To many, political correctness is an inconvenience and a joke, but it has served a great purpose. Hurtful words and phrases that were part of polite conversation fifteen years ago have been banished from most vocabulary. Although there are negative influences in today's society, there are also positive ones, and our children need to be prepared to live in that environment.

An individual who is attracted only to members of the same gender should not have to feel an omnipresent shame from puberty through his or her entire life. The gay and lesbian

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