Why I'm Not Teaching My Kids "Consent"

* Young readers, this post has adult content. Get mom or dad's okay before reading. Thanks!

Unfortunately, with the rise of MeToo and others, has arisen the unhealthy idea of teaching your kids to give consent before sex. I've had friends endorse this idea on their Facebook page. I've even been advised to ask my baby if I can change his diaper before I change it. This is taught, and understandably so, in hopes to avoid the abuses that come with an outlandishly sexual culture.

Yes, I believe that they should grow up to have a healthy relationship with their spouse- with respect and consideration toward each other in the area of sex and other areas as well. But here is why I'm not teaching them "consent."

1. Giving your consent assumes that it is yours to give away.
As Christians, we believe that our bodies are the temple of Christ. It is God's property. Also, when Believers marry, the Bible says their body belongs to their respective spouse. Therefore, giving consent is irrelevant and impossible.

2. Teaching them to give consent will not stop an abuser.
The unfortunate truth is, that telling someone, "I do NOT consent to this" will not stop them from robbing, murdering, or molesting. People do wrong things. Teaching your child to give consent may actually prevent legal protection.  What may help your child be protected is teaching him to scream, yell, and then, defend himself. 

3. The idea of consent cheapens sex.
I'm teaching my kids to wait until they are married. Perhaps you think that abstinence is old fashioned. It may be. But waiting for something, whether it's for a desired toy at age two or sex as an adult, gives that thing value. Waiting until marriage means that there is an excitement and a fascination that never gets old in discovering your spouse; instead of finding your lover to be boring and needing various and sundry things to help you get excited (or doing some other kind of activity altogether). 

I'm not teaching my kids to give consent (unless it's to say "I do!"). I'm teaching them to say "NO" until marriage.

On the other hand: I am not so naive as to believe that this will protect my children from sexual dangers. It most likely won't. We live in a broken world with broken people who do bad things and involve other people in their wrong choices. When my children are hurt, I want to show them the healing that Christ can give- to know the same Great Physician that I've learned to trust. -And I can say from experience that healing IS possible through Christ.