WASHINGTON — The “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie doesn’t hit the big screen until February, but when it does, it will likely spark a few uncomfortable conversations between parents and teens.
Many parents will face the issue of whether to allow their kids to see the movie. And even if the answer is “no,” the popular book-turned-film could be the springboard for a very candid conversation. After all, “Fifty Shades of Grey” explores themes beyond the basic birds and bees.
Leslie Morgan Steiner, parenting expert and blogger for ModernMom.com, says the steamy and sexual nature of the movie is a great opportunity for parents to talk to their kids about sexual attraction and enjoying sexuality — an awkward topic for most parents.
“It’s hard enough to talk to kids about the nuts and bolts of sex ed and birth control and the importance of waiting until you’re ready, etc., but to talk to them about the fact that enjoying sex is important — that’s beyond most of us as parents,” she says.
For starters, the movie’s themes of dominance and submissiveness provide a platform for parents to talk to their teens about consent among men and women in a relationship, and the boundaries that need two be drawn between the two consenting partners.
It also opens up a door for parents to talk about why dominance appeals to some people.
“This makes me uncomfortable to even say it, but it’s important to talk to boys and girls about the importance of pleasing your partner. I feel like parents are squirming even hearing me say that
