Prelate urges parents to be open to teach kids about sex

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has urged parents to be open in educating their children about sex and sexuality amid the impact of media on the young’s perception about it.

“Parents have the main responsibility of teaching our children the right behavior and values. If not, we may also ask other relatives, like grandparents, uncles, aunts to help guide our children,” the prelate said during a recent dialogue with young people in line with the archdiocese’s celebration of the Year of the Youth.

“Now, sexuality is out in the open. It is in TV shows, movies, songs. It is all out there … And children do not fully understand the holistic issue of sexuality — that it is not just a physical need but that it has its consequences,” Tagle said.

“The problem is, it is not complemented by education. Children are exposed to these things, they imitate them, but they lack the necessary guidance,” he added.