Parenting
In an age where awareness about sexual assault is growing, the concept of consent often remains unclear. To aid in this vital conversation, we’ve compiled a selection of informative, age-appropriate videos designed to help parents teach their children about consent effectively.
The first video is tailored for preschoolers and elementary-aged kids, reinforcing the crucial message: “This is your body, and you have the right to decide what happens to it.” Created by Blue Seat Studios, this video communicates the concept simply and sensitively.
Next, we have a delightful offering from Ruby’s Studio, which features a catchy song. The chorus emphasizes, “I may be young. I may be small. But it’s my body, I’m in charge of it all.” While watching this with my own child, she opened up about a classmate who tends to play too roughly during recess—an important conversation we will be having at school soon.
For tweens and teens, a video produced by the nonprofit organization AMAZE is incredibly relatable. It tackles the essential principles of consent, making it easier for this age group to grasp. It highlights a critical point: consenting to one type of behavior doesn’t mean consent is granted for another. For instance, agreeing to a kiss doesn’t imply permission for anything more intimate. It’s also important to understand that consent can be revoked at any time.
Lastly, another engaging video from Blue Seat Studios uses tea as a metaphor to explain consent. This straightforward, slightly cheeky approach makes it accessible for older kids as well.
Many individuals struggle to understand what constitutes sexual assault. A survey from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center reveals some alarming statistics. Only 56% of men and 72% of women acknowledge that “watching someone in a private act without their knowledge or permission” is assault. Additionally, just 67% of men view “sexual intercourse where one partner is pressured to consent” as assault, compared to 79% of women. Alarmingly, only 48% of men recognize “unwanted verbal remarks that are provocative or unsolicited” (like catcalling) as assault. This disparity in awareness between genders is concerning.
If adults are unclear about what constitutes assault, how can we expect our children to understand? The time to address this is now. You need not wait for your child to become sexually active before initiating these discussions. These videos offer an excellent foundation for those important conversations. For more resources, consider checking out this article on pregnancy which can provide additional insights on related topics.
In summary, these videos are invaluable tools for fostering discussions about consent with your kids. By engaging them in this dialogue early, you’re helping to create a future where they are better informed about their rights and boundaries.