In my opinion, the way to encourage the younger generations to follow healthy behaviors is to open the lines of communication. Health educators , parents and others have a duty to provide education to adolescents. I had to learn things about life, finances, and my body fro either my friends or the television. Looking back in time, my friends were not the best source if information but I couldn't talk to my parents or any other figures of authority about those subjects. I wanted to talk to my mother and get her advice about sex but I was just told that I would learn about it when I got older. Well, the age never came when we could sit down and I could ask her questions. Children want to know that their parents were once young and uninformed too. I vowed to have more communication with my own children. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with any questions or concerns about any subject.
In order to open those lines of communication, parents have to talk to their children about their past experiences. Mothers must inform their daughters about the importance of PAP Smears and regular well- woman exams. Fathers must tell their sons about the importance of using condoms to avoid STD's and having annual prostate screeeings once they turn 50. Health educators must tell their patients about eating healthy diets and exercising regularly. We have to also tell them what the consequences are if they do not follow our examples. I once heard that life is the best teacher. Yet, if we can avoid these things happening to young people by telling our stories, then we should not be afraid to tell the world.
Samisha
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Hi Samisha. I agree with you about setting an example for your children. This is a conversation that my husband and I have had many times about out three daughters. My husband believes in the old do as I say, not what I do technique. I am more of a believer in that you learn from life experiences. I guess a combination of both is the best method. My husband thinks our daughters will listen and do what he says just because he’s the dad. But often times I have to remind him that he was raised that way as well and did it work for him? No, it didn’t. You can guide your children to the right path, suggest situations and alternatives to things, but bottom line is we generally learn from our mistakes. If you have instilled good morals and values in your children, they will be ok, mistakes and all. It’s up to them as they get older to follow the right path and when they faulter, learn from it and keep going. My husband has learned to be a bit more flexible now that 2 of the girls have moved out and so far have been successful in their life’s endeavors. My husband and I were high school sweethearts so I can easily throw things back at him that he did as a teenager and still turned out alright! Julie Diaz
ReplyDeleteGreat viewpoint Samisha. I enjoyed reading your perspective on this topic. Keeping open communication is key to interacting with children about how to stay healthy. Some topics are definetly hard to talk about but if your kids know that they can talk to you about anything it makes it that much easier.
ReplyDeleteHi Samisha,
ReplyDeleteGreat posting! I agree with that open communication is very important with our adolescence today. They are more knowledgable more than we think. Aside from learning from their friends, they have free access online which make them vulnerable asking stranger. We probably grew up from the same generation that topic about sex was unspeakable. I learned through my friends and reading about it. When I raised my brothers and sisters, at the age of ten, we talked about sex, diseases, prevention and other teen topics. I made sure I was available when they needed to talked to me or needed an advice. Another thing I think is important is to trust our teenagers that they can make a good decision if we raised them with a good moral and they are well informed.