How/where do girls and young women learn about sex these days?

[thelegohooverer]

In my day it was largely from magazines like Just 17, and Cosmo. And a certain amount from films and shows like Friends. Not the best of sources and there was a lot of sorting out reality from fiction.

There are often posts on here with young women questioning things that have happened during sex, that my generation (I think) were quite clear crossed a line. As much as Cosmo was pushing heavily for acceptance of anal sex, they were pretty clear on the concept of consent.

I know that porn seems to be the main way that men learn about sex, but I’ve been wondering about the younger women and today’s teenagers. Particularly as I have a tween dd and I’m horrified at the idea that she might absorb these ideas that she owes men hardcore sex experiences.

Well they definitely talk about it with their friends and use the internet too for research. My daughter is 18 now and over the years we have had some lengthy conversations about sex and healthy sexual boundaries in intimate relationships. We have also spoken about porn. But a lot of girls these days I think use the internet if they have access and are less likely to buy the magazines I grew up reading which is where I got some of my knowledge from.

OP I think it’s important for parents to teach their children about consent. I know not all parents so this, but I’m planning to talk about these issues with daughters regularly as they grow up. I can’t think of another external resource that I trust.

The internet. Which is a horrifying thought

@drawerofwater

The internet. Which is a horrifying thought

My thoughts exactly.

It’s not the easiest subject to chat about with your dm at that age. I remember being convinced that my dm was hopelessly out of touch.

I've often wondered the same I loved teen magazines problem pages tips and features learned most things there ha ha teens don't read magazines now so maybe they just google what they want to know as a mother I don't feel it's my place to pass on my sex knowledge (apart from consent etc) to my children and think it's something they need to discover for themselves plus they wouldn't want to know I'm sure

I've been asked plenty by my DDs, sometimes more than anticipated. I don't discuss my own sex life obviously, but I'm happy to hear what they want to talk about. Consent is a thing also, and the notion of never doing anything sexually that you are uncomfortable with, regardless of general consent. Also that porn isn't real sex, for the majority. I've had that discussion with both boys too, including around being aware of pressure to "perform " , which is unhealthy and leads to problems.