🧒 Raising children (tarbiyah) · #31
When and how should parents give their children sex education?
In stages according to age, beginning in early childhood with the names of body parts and boundaries on touch, through to the rulings of puberty and the etiquette of mixing in the teenage years.
The Quran itself teaches this etiquette: children who have not reached puberty are taught to ask permission before entering their parents' room at three times of privacy, and once they reach puberty they ask permission at all times (an-Nur 24:58–59). Early years: the correct names of body parts, "no one may touch the parts covered by your underwear", and tell your parents if anyone tries. Primary school: bodily changes, menstruation and wet dreams before they happen. Teenagers: the rulings on the obligatory bath, lowering the gaze, the dangers of pornography and relationships before marriage. Answer questions calmly and honestly; if parents do not answer, the internet will. See Modesty & boundaries.
The Quran itself teaches this etiquette: children who have not reached puberty are taught to ask permission before entering their parents' room at three times of privacy, and once they reach puberty they ask permission at all times (an-Nur 24:58–59). Early years: the correct names of body parts, "no one may touch the parts covered by your underwear", and tell your parents if anyone tries. Primary school: bodily changes, menstruation and wet dreams before they happen. Teenagers: the rulings on the obligatory bath, lowering the gaze, the dangers of pornography and relationships before marriage. Answer questions calmly and honestly; if parents do not answer, the internet will. See Modesty & boundaries.
Sources
Surah an-Nur 24:58Surah an-Nur 24:59Surah an-Nur 24:30