Talking to kids & teens about abortion
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last Friday — ending the constitutional right to abortion for U.S. citizens that the case had previously maintained since 1973 — you may be wondering how to broach the topic of abortion and reproductive rights with your kids. When is it appropriate to teach kids what abortion means? How should you spark the discussion?
First things first, understand that with the latest news coverage, chances are high that your kids are already hearing something, whether it’s over-hearing a short snippet of info from the radio, or navigating responses on social media.
If your kids are asking questions, then they’re not too young to know the answers. And it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers right away. “I don’t know” is a 100% valid response. It’s okay to take time reflecting & researching in order to revisit things later.
Next, beyond the scope of the Supreme Court’s decision and the following news cycle, talking to kids about abortion is an important part of educating them about sex and reproduction.
Sex ed is about more than just explaining the “birds and the bees” — it involves talking about consent, bodily autonomy, puberty, healthy relationships, the responsibilities of being a parent, and factors like birth control and abortion that tie into…
