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Topic: The Talk

thwap
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5062

posted 08 December 2004 05:26 PM

... edit uncomfortable intro:

I'm going to be giving my adolescent son "the talk" soon. Any feminists want to give me some advice?

(edited "An" to "Any." I guess i got cocky after i spelled "adolescent" rihgt!)

[ 08 December 2004: Message edited by: thwap ]

From: Hamilton | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

steffie
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3826

posted 08 December 2004 06:43 PM

I too will be listening closely and taking notes. For my son, of course. I already know all there is to know about sex. [/sarcasm]

From: What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow / Out of this stony rubbish? | Registered: Mar 2003 | IP: Logged

audra trower williams
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2

posted 08 December 2004 06:57 PM

I know I never shut up about it, but I can't say enough things about this awesome website.

From: And I'm a look you in the eye for every bar of the chorus | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 08 December 2004 07:16 PM

I think by the time a kid is an adolescent, they could probably give YOU the talk.

At that age, I would say the same thing as Audra (I didn't even run my mouse over the link she provided because I KNOW what she linked to ) - give him access to good information about sex, geared towards people his age, done in a non-finger-shaking sort of way. I think I would tell my son that I would be happy to talk to him about anything he wants to discuss, but that if he feels he wants more privacy, here are some great resources for sexual information, community resources for pregnancy/STD control or testing, etc.

From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

nonsuch
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1402

posted 08 December 2004 07:18 PM

I can't tell you how to go about this: my son and i were lucky enough to have a resident father. And i didn't have The Talk with my daughter... we had lots of little chats, as questions and problems arose, and sometimes casually, while watching a movie or music video together. When quite young (6 and 7), they both got the illustrated book, to read whenever they wanted to, in private.

One small suggestion i'd like to make. Don't try to be objective or comprehensive: be honest. Tell him how you feel about things. He can get the facts anywhere; he can only get the woman's point of view from a real live woman.

From: coming and going | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

thwap
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5062

posted 08 December 2004 11:43 PM

Uh, ladies,

I'm a dude.

I don't usually post in this thread, but i'm prepared to SHUT UP AND JUST LISTEN!!!

(There have been a few tidbits, .. is that it?)

From: Hamilton | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

nonsuch
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1402

posted 09 December 2004 01:37 AM

Security around here definitely needs beefing up!

Oh, okay, then.
I still think you should tell him how you feel about things.
Example: Our boy liked dirty pictures. Well, sure, and nobody tried to outlaw them. But other people had to go into his room once in a while and found the posters offensive. It fell to the father to explain why some images of the female body are fine, while others are disrespectful. (His sister was more direct: "I'm not gonna feed your stupid goldfish with all those tits staring at me!" )

From: coming and going | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

Fidel
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5594

posted 09 December 2004 03:52 AM

Tell him it's a new law that he'll have to give up video games and ice fishing when he gets one of'em prego.

From: Viva La Revolución | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged

dillinger
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 7346

posted 09 December 2004 11:22 AM

something my mom did for me when i was young that i thought was really cool and i'm SO going to do for my kids if i have any:

one day, she just sat me down and said, "son, this is a box of condoms. it's going onto the top shelf of the linen closet. if you or any of your friends ever need them that's where they will be. i will never check to see if there are any missing. if the box runs empty, just ask me for $20 for 'man stuff' and i won't ask what it's for. i'd rather pay for condoms than diapers."

it totally worked. not only did i practice safe sex when i got older, but all my friends did too because since i always had rubbers i became known as the guy to go to when you're at a houseparty, about to score and need a jimmy hat.

From: Toronto | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged

thwap
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5062

posted 09 December 2004 11:32 AM

Dillinger,

Glad it worked out for you. The story reminds me though, of the Dan Savage column where a letter writer, claiming to be a mother, asked if she should buy her young sons lube for their eventual masturbation sessions.

Dan told her not to worry about it, and that he thought that nothing would destroy an erection more than reaching for the tube of lube that mom bought for you.

From: Hamilton | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

Agent 204
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4668

posted 09 December 2004 11:38 AM

It's worth mentioning that this is a good idea if and only if they aren't left sitting past their expiry date...

From: home of the Guess Who | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

thwap
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5062

posted 09 December 2004 11:39 AM

nonesuch,

I'll try to pm you.

From: Hamilton | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

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