Things are changing and unlike previous decades, today there are many movements for women to have the confidence, freedom and security to report situations of harassment and stop when we do not want to do something.
The issue of consent is one we have talked about on other occasions, and the story we will share today reminds us that it is up to us to talk about it with our children, to teach them since childhood to have the freedom to make and defend their own decisions.
This is a father, who when accompanying his daughter to put on his first earrings, He supported her when she apologized when deciding not to do them at the last moment, showing us that it is never too early to talk to them about consent.
Adam Baker, his wife and daughter Adelaide had gone to a place together so that, on the occasion of her eighth birthday, she put on her first earrings. Through a Facebook post, he comments that they were preparing for weeks and that Adelaide felt happy and eager to do so.
Finally, the day came and she was very excited. They chose the earrings he would wear, but when he sat down to have their ears pierced, his face changed and he began to get very nervous. In the last moment, Adelaide decided that in the end she would not wear the earrings and in tears, she apologized for the change of decision saying: "I do not want to do it".
"But Darling", writes his father in the publication where he accompanies the image of Adelaide and his ear without earrings,"There's no need to apologize. Only you determine what someone else does to your body".
The birthday girl may have left the place without new earrings, but there is a reason why she repeated again and again "Thank you for understanding." His voice was heard. His decision was honored. Your body is yours, and you know that what you love will respect your decisions. It is never too early to begin emphasizing those realities and empowering those expectations. Happy birthday, sweet Adelaide. We love you
Perhaps the father in the publication tells the experience about pending ones, but is sending a strong message about consent. It makes us clear, that Adelaide or anyone can change their mind and decide not to do something at the end. And this is fine.
It doesn't matter if at first we said yes, If in the end we are not comfortable doing something, we are entitled to express it and decide not to do so.. And with this, it reminds us of the importance of talking about consent with our children from an early age.
Another message that this publication leaves us, and that is also very important, is that of not let go by what is supposed to be carried. In the case of children and adolescents, it is very easy to fall into the "but if everyone does", but sometimes, apparently everyone does not mean that it is the best for us.
Social pressure or the desire not to be "the weirdo or misfit" and seek to fit with others, can make us believe that we have to do things. But it shouldn't be like that. The most important thing will always be follow our instincts, protect ourselves, take care of ourselves and love us.
Eye, that with this I do not say that I have something against the earrings (my daughter has them and I have several too), because there are different positions in this regard and I think that in the end everyone is free to decide.
Simply and like Adelaide's father, we take this experience to refer to what if something is not comfortable for us, even if others do, it does not mean that we should do it. And this is a message that we must convey in a strong and clear way to our children.
By talking with our children about consent, social pressure and limits, we can educate them to prevent future harassment or sexual abuse, to that they know that nobody should force them to do something they don't want and that they are the ones who decide on their own body.
