Be Aware Of 5 Things When Taking Youngsters Consent

Nikki Attkisson | Last Updated : September 23, 2021

Her breast growth was checked by an older female relative during a big family event when she was a child. She gave her a hard embrace, then pulled the collar of her shirt out to look down and examine her breast development. The grownups in attendance burst out laughing. As a preteen, she had no idea what consent was, and she was terrified when she found out.

Be Aware Of 5 Things When Taking Youngsters Consent

Her children’s greetings to friends and family are now governed by an approval “hugs optional” policy that I implemented when they became parents. Some parents have told her that they are apprehensive about discussing consent because they believe it would imply a discussion of sexual intercourse with their children. This isn’t the case at all. Rosalia Rivera, the founder of Consent Parenting, explains that “Consent involves teaching children about their real rights, emotional and mental boundaries, and how they can engage with others in the world courteously and with the capacity to honor their own rights as well as the rights of others.”

Be Aware Of 5 Things When Taking Youngsters Consent

What are the most important topics that parents should convey to their children regarding consent, and how early should these discussions take place? Here are 5 things that parents should be aware of when it comes to consent:

To begin, parents must redefine their idea of what constitutes consent. Consent discussions may begin as soon as your kid utters their first words, according to Rivera. When children are young, it is probable that their discussions may revolve around asking for permission to do activities like sharing toys amongst siblings or friends. The use of real-life body parts to describe body parts is an important element of establishing the foundation for children to defend their bodily boundaries. Abuse prevention teacher and advocate Maria Rivera say that when children are able to utilize proper anatomical terminology in a normalized, shame-free manner, predators understand that it is a child who is being taught at home and will not be a simple target.

The discussion of permission provides an excellent chance to assist children in developing boundary abilities and empathy. When talking to children about hugs, Rachel Brian, writer, and co-creator, recommends discussing how different people feel at various degrees of comfort with one other. Knowing that there are alternatives to hugging, such as the wave, is a wonderful approach to help children maintain limits while still feeling connected.

Children must also realize that boundaries may shift over time. Listening is an important part of developing effective boundary skills. Consent is something that takes time to master. There are many everyday practice situations to choose from, whether they include toys, personal space, or even food. If you imagine buying a plate of French fries, settling down at a table with other people, and having people serve themselves without asking, that’s exactly what Zaloom is like:

Parents should also practice respecting consent with their children. Many people have negative associations with the notion of talking about permission, yet these discussions can be powerful and ground-breaking.


Nikki Attkisson

With over 15 years as a practicing journalist, Nikki Attkisson found herself at Powdersville Post now after working at several other publications. She is an award-winning journalist with an entrepreneurial spirit and worked as a journalist covering technology, innovation, environmental issues, politics, health etc. Nikki Attkisson has also worked on product development, content strategy, and editorial management for numerous media companies. She began her career at local news stations and worked as a reporter in national newspapers.

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