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Adults Quote by Bertrand Russell

“When I say that children should be told about sex, I do not mean that they should be told only the bare physiological facts; they should be told whatever they wish to know. There should be no attempt to represent adults as more virtuous than they are, or sex as occurring only in marriage. There is…” quote by Bertrand Russell
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“When I say that children should be told about sex, I do not mean that they should be told only the bare physiological facts; they should be told whatever they wish to know. There should be no attempt to represent adults as more virtuous than they are, or sex as occurring only in marriage. There is no excuse for deceiving children. And when, as must happen in conventional families, they find that their parents have lied, they lose confidence in them, and feel justified in lying to them.”

Bertrand Russell

About This Quote

Source Essay: Marriage and Morality, 1929

Advocates honest, comprehensive sexual education for children, rejecting deception and idealized adult portrayals.

In simple terms: Tell kids the truth about sex, not just basics.

Key Takeaway

Provide full, truthful sex education.

Themes

education honesty trust family sexuality

Mood

concerned hopeful serious

Type

instructional ethical practical

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • school curricula
  • health workshops
  • media programs

Key Concepts

developmental psychology ethical communication social trust

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we balance honesty with age‑appropriate detail?
  • What safeguards prevent misuse of information?
A Different Perspective

Children may feel overwhelmed without age‑appropriate framing.

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