Well, of course, the answer is we
don’t have to do anything. But it is important to me, as a sexuality educator, to
write about children for this reason: if I don’t care about children, you should
not trust me as a sexuality educator.
I have many children in my life. I
have a large family of origin and more nieces and nephews than I can count. I
also have a number of friends with children.
I love the children in my life and
give to them as much as I would love and give to my own children. I have never
felt any need or desire to be a parent because I believe that all the children
in this world are my children and I have responsibility for all of them.
As a sexuality educator, I have
been sensitive to the taboo of talking about sexuality and children. Childhood
sexuality is not the main focus of my work. However, I often call my work “sexual
healing education” rather than “sexuality education” because I do my work from
the vantage point of knowing many of us need to heal our sexualities because of
our childhood experiences. I also want to prevent more harm being done to
anyone in the world, particularly children.
Preventing harm also includes
letting children discover their bodies naturally. When we teach children about limits
or boundaries, we should do it in a way that when they become adults, they don’t
have difficulty claiming their natural-born right to pleasure. It means
understanding that not all touch is sexual, so we can all get the nurturing
touch we need. And children in particular can get the love, touch and attention
they deserve.
If I didn’t keep the best interest
of children in mind, you should not trust me as a sexuality educator. Teaching
adults about sexuality can be interesting, but that is not where my primary
interest lies. It is in understanding how to have the healthiest relationships
and friendships in our lives and how to develop a sexuality that is not stifled
or repressed by cultures uncomfortable with touch, sexuality, feelings and all
else that matters.
I believe in paying attention to
what happens to children as well as adults. That is why I do what I do, and you
should only trust me as a sexuality educator if you know that I will care for the
children.
Copyright 2013 by
Susan Miranda. All
rights reserved. No part of this writing may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the copyright holder. For reprint
permission, email miranda_susan@yahoo.com.
