Sexual Issues with Children

This is the second volume in a series of books called the Success Series on important topical areas working with challenging children. The series began with Attachment and now moves to the challenges for both parents and professionals in working with themes of sexuality. Our sexual identity plays a major role in how we define ourselves and how we behave in the world. Helping children achieve a healthy view of sexuality is the goal of all responsible adults, but what is healthy sexuality? The answer is not as straightforward as one might think in a culture that is decidedly not sexually healthy. Unfortunately most adults struggle with even talking about sex. And to make matters even more difficult, many children are initiated into the world of sex through the most negative of ways-intimidation, coercion, pornography, and even sexual abuse. Children need guidance to become healthy in mind, body and spirit and they need informed and supportive adults. This book begins with encouraging adults to assess their own sexual health and then offers in practical detail the what, when, why and how to go about promoting sexual health in children. There are many resources for adults in the area of sex education, but when it comes to how to help a sexually traumatized child develop a healthy view of sexuality there is unfortunately only one resource currently available anywhere-this book.