Last week was Mother’s Day and this year marks the closest mama and I have ever been. Whatsapp has definitely contributed to building communication between us. Yet while we talk more, we still don’t talk about it (sex) all. We have never gotten around to talking about my experiences with the drunk uncle who tried to sleep with me, I have never shared my feelings of self-hate with her or that her comparing me to her friend’s children all through childhood greatly contributed to this. Despite similar body types we have never had an honest discussion on our bodies (and even as I progress on the journey to loving mine I wish she had loved it first and hers as well) most especially, we’ve never had any pertinent discussion on sex. Not the right to it, not the enjoyment of it, and definitely not the questions of self-doubt and requirement of self-confidence that come with it.
Don’t get me wrong. My mother isn’t the average African religious matriarch who put up strict rules to preserve my hymen. She doesn’t even know I haven’t ‘gone all the way yet’. If she did she’d ask me why? She has asked for a grandchild with or without marriage, so while she no doubt prays for marriage she doesn’t demand it. Yet she – as I sadly came to realize at the age of 20 – will never be Lisa, the mother Tia and Tamera had in Sister Sister. Nor will she ever be Claire Huxtable ready with the right words of counsel. And like the average African mother sex talk is limited to “Don’t let boys touch you” between the ages of 10- 20 and “Don’t you think you should start preparing to be a mother” as of age 25.
As I count down to 27 frustrated with nearly every area in my life and thinking about motherhood for myself, I can’t help but think of all the ways Mama could have helped. Yes young people irrespective of gender the world over need to have frank discussions on sex and sexuality, yet I think this is even more so for the young African woman. Our experiences and the factors we have to take into consideration are unique and who else can best navigate us through this than women who have experienced in to some extent themselves?
Mama could have done more than say “Don’t let boys touch you”. She could have told me what to do, where to run to when men tried to without my permission. And just like aunty taught me to expect my periods, she could have taught me to expect the hardening of nipples, the yearning between your thighs asking to be filled.
Mama could have shared what it took to be a single mother in the 1980’s. How did she face the prejudice back then when I can’t even imagine facing it now? Mama, if she had spoken, might have helped counter the other voices which said “if you can’t be beautiful, be smart and pure”.
Mama, if she had loved herself and me enough to share, could have taught me from the breadth of her own experiences that size does not determine your sensuality, that the sexual cravings are not ‘wrong’, the romantic desires valid and that I can believe those guys who call me sexy even when I don’t think I am.
Mama had dealt with similar social expectations, similar body issues, the same mule-headed African men, and quite likely the same internal desires. So when we have the conversations now that we didn’t before, I wonder how long it will take for us to talk, really talk about where the breaking point is. When did she give up on love, embrace her sexuality and learn to not to give a damn about what others thought of her single-motherhood. Perhaps then I can foretell when it will happen for me.
5 comments On Guest Post from Eleanor T.K. – What if Mama had talked about Sex?
it’s just sad how African parents never really want to talk about sex. it’s always the 30second lecture/threat about not letting boys touch you. My mother was hit hard with surprise when my first period came a few weeks after my 10th birthday, she did not see the signs (or chose to ignore)… the widening hips,the protruding breasts, the perennial acne. she was in so much denial my aunty had to do the teaching and reassuring whilst I sobbed because I was so afraid. We only talked about (she screamed at me for being “careless”)contraceptives once, when I admitted I had taken an injectable during University to prevent pregnancy. I’m past 25, and the subtle hints about getting married and giving her grandchildren have become full on confrontations laced with threats about my biological clock….and snide jokes about my boyfriend’s virility(she’s not even sure if I have one). Why is it so hard for African parents to have open, honest, respectful conversations about sex and related issues when we are younger yet so easy to start accusing us for things we wished we had control over, but never really did, when we grow and become our own women?
@Naa – sending hugs to your 10 year old self. That must have been a truly traumatic experience. I think parents allover the world are guilty of not educating their children about sex though. ‘African’ parents just have their own special twist 🙂
In this 21st century parents must realize that sex will be prevalent amongst younger children and we need to educate them. Unfortunately, culture becomes a barrier and makes certain discussions a taboo. Not only should parents play an important roll in sexual education, but the schools should implement a sexual education class starting in elementary school with progressive teachings. Sex is not a demon or an evil act for “most”…LOL, and we should embrace the reality of it.
Sex has now become a taboo in our society such that you feel terrible as though you have done something despicable instead of enjoying the pleasure it brings. Our parents really need to start telling us what to expect instead of leaving us to find it out for ourselves and then expecting us to have made the smart choices. It’s only recently that my mum mentioned the emergency pill, at 24 yrs Old. So what if I hadn’t known? Hmmm
Well written and frankly expressed but hangs such curious questions on its import and understanding.
To what extent do we, growing up,need to be educated about out sexuality? How do we get that we-informed in order to make the most benefits out of knowing about our sexuality and make-up? Yes or No aren’t there consequences? Don we have the personal space and time to learn on our own. In jurisdictions where the right to sex knowledge permits its education, are they doing that well as to attract our interest or regret? How vast is our right to freedom? Any limits?