I wanted to start off 2024 by sharing a document which is one of the FOUNDATIONAL documents for all of my parent-daughter cycle education programs here at Pearl & Thistle. It's a document from 1995, so by secular standards it's kind of a "dinosaur" but by Church standards it's practically brand new! 😜

THE TRUTH & MEANING OF HUMAN SEXUALITY: GUIDELINES FOR EDUCATION WITHIN THE FAMILY

This document was written in 1995 by the Pontifical Council for the Family, a group that was commissioned in 1981 by Pope St. John Paul II to address many of the challenges facing families towards the turn of the millennium-- challenges including questions about marriage, life issues, evangelization in the home, and much more. In particular, this document on human sexuality offers a detailed look at how parents can effectively educate their children about:

• human anatomy and reproductive function
• Catholic moral teaching on marriage and sex
• chastity for the whole of life
• preparing for a life of vocation (whether in marriage or religious life!)

What I love about this document is that it's very practical and it addresses different educational methods and content which would be appropriate at various stages of childhood development. As someone who strives to provide programming for parents, I also deeply appreciate the way this document balances the reality that parents ARE the most important and primary educators of their children, without mandating that families are never allowed to have assistance from qualified professionals who can help them in the task of education on these very sensitive and important topics.

The heart of the document explains one way to understand the ways that parents can guide these conversations at four key STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT:

1. The Years of Innocence
2. Puberty
3. Adolescence
4. Towards Adulthood

So if you're a parent and you're trying to find a concise explanation of WHAT the Church suggests you teach your children at various ages about our bodies and human sexuality and HOW to begin going about that... I really want to suggest that you read this!

If you're a teacher, or someone who works in pastoral ministry with families, PLEASE read this document in order to understand (or begin thinking about) YOUR very important role in supporting parents.

And also... if you're someone who just wants a really great understanding of what the Church means by "chastity" and how this virtue is integrated into our development and vocational paths at any age... I hope you'll read this document, too.

Really... it's a treasure trove for parents, but it's a fabulous document to guide the entire Church in supporting families!

As with most Church documents, you can access the free version online through the Vatican archives.