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Normal Method is Parent/child dialogue
Parents
and all who help them must understand that the method for education in
human sexuality is a dialogue between parent and child. It is
preferred to be in private for all children.
Each
subsequent method is meant to address the particular situations which are
problematic and exceptional.
It is easily
seen that the other methods assist the parent child dialogue and are
not in a public forum which is appropriate only for catechesis on morality.
Classroom or
group settings "must not include the more intimate aspects of sexual
information, whether biological or affective, which belong to individual
formation within the family.
"Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality"
The normal & fundamental method
Parent/Child Dialogue
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Dialogue between
parent and child
The
normal and fundamental method, already proposed in this guide, is personal
dialogue between parents and their children, that is, individual formation
within the family circle. In fact there is no substitute for a
dialogue of trust and openness between parents and their children, a
dialogue, which respects not only their stages of development but also the
young persons as individuals. However, when parents seek help from others,
there are various useful methods that can be recommended in the light of
parental experience and in conformity with Christian prudence. |
First method
To support
Parent/Child Dialogue
Meet with other parents
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Meeting with other
parents
As
couples or as individuals, parents can meet with others who are prepared
for education for love to draw on their experience and competence. These
people can offer explanations and provide parents with books and other
resources approved by the ecclesiastical authorities. |
Second Method
To support
Parent/Child Dialogue
Private meetings
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Private meetings with
child guided by expert
Parents who are not always prepared to face up to the problematic side of
education for love can take part in meetings with their children, guided
by expert persons who are worthy of trust, for example, doctors, priests,
educators. In some cases, in the interest of greater freedom of
expression, meetings where only daughters or sons are present seem
preferable. |
Third Method
In particular cases
Trustworthy person
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In Particular
Cases
In
certain situations, parents can entrust part of education for love to
another trustworthy person, if there are matters, which require a specific
competence or pastoral care in particular, cases. |
Catechesis on morality
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Moral Catechesis
Catechesis on morality may be provided by other trustworthy persons, with
particular emphasis on sexual ethics at puberty and adolescence. Parents
should take an interest in the moral catechesis, which is given to their
own children outside the home, and use it as a support for their own
educational work.
Such catechesis must not include the more intimate aspects of sexual
information, whether biological or affective, which belong to individual
formation within the family.[1]
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Religious formation of the parents
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Adult Catechesis
The religious formation of the parents themselves,
in particular solid catechetical preparation of adults in the truth of
love, builds the foundations of a mature faith that can guide them in the
formation of their own children.
This adult catechesis enables them not only to deepen their understanding
of the community of life and love in marriage, but also helps them learn
how to communicate better with their own children. Furthermore, in the
very process of forming their children in love, parents will find that
they benefit much, because they will discover that this ministry of love
helps them to “maintain a living awareness of the ‘gift’ they continually
receive from their children.”
To make parents capable of carrying out their educational work, special
formation courses with the help of experts can be promoted.
(See the
Formation in Christian Love series in
manuals as well as the
workshops) |
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