Memnoch

I had a thought. A feat, I know.

Guns are like sex. As such, sex-education and gun-education also tend to have their similarities. Hem and haw all you want about the good "principles" behind abstinence-only sex-ed or about the good "principles" behind civilian-restrictive gun control laws. That's fine and dandy for those of you who are not currently living in reality. Unfortunately for those of us who do live in reality, these topics are still very much a dilemma. Sex is here, it's active, and it can be an awe-inspiring experience. Guns, similarly, are here, are active and can cause awe-inspiring experiences. Sex is something that can be fun and productive, when it's intelligently approached by mature, consenting individuals. Guns can be also be fun and productive when intelligently approached by mature individuals. Sex can be dangerous. Guns can be dangerous. And inevitably, everyone is either drawn to them or repelled by them - it is uncommon to find someone who is "middle ground" on either issue.

Protection, both sexual and with guns, must be used. Direction and a firm grasp on how to use the "machinery" behind coital and firearm engagements dictate the satisfaction of these experiences. Kids are drawn to guns, and kids are drawn to sex. Now, while some people will, in fact, stay away from one or the other because of abstinence/moral demands by parents and other role models, most will not. Most boys, especially, are interested in guns and sex (though they are quite often unclear on precisely what one or the other does). Kids have got to learn. What's more dangerous? Leaving a kid alone in a room with a gun, which he does not know how to properly handle, or leaving a child alone in a room with a gun who was raised with guns in the house and has had a proper education on what exactly firearms are used for, why they are used, situations that permit their usage and the dire effects they can have? Similarly, is it safer to put two teens in a room together without foreknowledge of protection, procreation, the responsibilities of parenthood, the immense change (physically and mentally) a woman goes through during pregnancy and a proper understanding of just what the fuck (no pun intended) they're getting into, or two teens who have been progressively educated throughout puberty on the proper respect one must have for sexuality and the necessary knowledge and forethought to buy specific items needed to make the sexual activity as safe as possible? In the gun situation, yes, both children may choose to fire the gun against their parents' wishes, but who do you think is more likely to shoot himself or a friend in the face? In the sex situation, yes, both teen couples may choose to have sex against their parents' wishes, but who do you think is more likely to get pregnant or infected with an STD? Baby-boomer liberals of today need to understand that guns are an essential, if sometimes brutal, part of our society. Vietnam war hawks, similarly, must come to realize that kids these days are increasingly sexual, and at younger ages, and while it's good to try to curb their "enthusiasm," steps to prevent poor living conditions for teen mothers and their children must also be taken, specifically finding ways to prevent the teenager from having a child in the first place.

It struck me how the situations are so similar, and yet, either side of the political spectrum seems to be completely convinced that one is of utmost importance and the other is completely taboo.


This is where I have to make my post interactive, I suppose. What are you teaching/plan on teaching your children about guns? About sex? When? Do you tend to consider yourself more on the liberal or conservative end of the political spectrum? Why, if you find sex and/or guns repulsive/frightening/cause for concern/etc, do you find them thus?

For me, personally, I will always have guns in my house. Hopefully I'll have a child or children who will be willing to go hunting with me. My children will understand the who, what, where, when, why and how of guns, and they will be allowed only to touch a gun when a qualified adult is present until their 16th birthday. Similarly, any questions my children ever have about sexuality will be explained with full honesty, no matter how young (though the method of explanation may vary from age to age). If my kids want to be sexually active, I won't try to stop them other than to make sure they understand the causes, effects and responsibilities that come with what they're doing.

[i]Edit: Another question: If you do have kids, how old are they?[/]

__________________
Doing my best not to end up like Kathleen Chang.