Why your kids should say penis and vagina
Do you remember getting in trouble for saying the word penis? Whether it was a verbal warning, soap in the mouth, or "that look" that told you not to repeat that word again in public, many of you can probably recall the time that you found out that certain body parts were shameful. I admit, hearing the names of genitalia come out of children's mouths is unsettling but when this happens we adults have an important teaching opportunity that we can't squander. So your kid says vagina in public... you might be embarrassed... but let's consider the alternative and unfortunately more common result. Kids learn that words like penis and vagina are shameful first because Mom and Dad won't even say them. Parents opt for "less threatening" euphemisms. Adults scoff and overreact if kids do use the actual words, reinforcing the idea that their genitals and the words for them are bad. Then, from media or peers, kids learn new words to represent