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W, Ws wan, ...... • •••• • •• 4.4 • Respect for women star Conversations about consent must begin early, say Adam McCormick, Alma Baker and Rawan Ashrawl I ti tlw v, ate of the *MORK) mammal, runny panns are feeling a sense of urgency to engage in conversations with their ems about issues related to set gender and respect. Reality has see in for a lot uf parents that 'la,' can't simply assume their sous would never grow up to en- gage in behaviors that arc harm- ful towards mown and girls. As parents become more intentitmail shout addicssing Sum related to gender, sex and respect, efforts to initiate these conversations can be challeng- ing. Perhaps one of the most important topics for parents to address in these conversations is the issue of consent. The messages that many boys receive regarding consent can be confusing and harmful. Parents cannot simply assume or hope that their sons arc being given the tools outside of the home to safely and napectfully navigate the issue of consent. In the abeam° of these conversa- tions with their parents, boys are likely to tun to their friends, the media and pornography to help shape their understanding of sex, relation; ips and consent. A series of studies from the crimes Agaiast Childrei I Be' search Center at the Univelsit) of New Hampshire a.ssening the impact that pornography has on boys suggests that boys arr turning to online pornograrthy as their most prominent rnrni of sexual education. Ale' *NI it' (93 percent) atkilesvin lanes base seen pry 14rapti) in thc childhood. awl Pi pereerit hat • watched the nip.: of a woman line. Not only does pornograpi depict high Lewis of aggressit and control, but it also amp that gender inequality is see For many adolescent hop. their ideas of consent and sea Ifby eXpeti` roc &YAM t of conned love and consent. All, HAMS,' a meta analysis ate rat between porn and vu pane to pornography sexual aggression in boy! percent and incrcascs in rape myths by 31 a study from rose Unhersity ofNorth more than one tint of men who responded said that they would engage in send as- sault if they knew that they with understanding 'no' 1 any with it F.frorts to engage boys in eon- Nations about enc5s nt should trt tarb. Me e ; lige* ,, Wilt boys nrpoi ri ems with pun. au Ulnae: I -t longbeg. Sines in;mt boyo will be raphic images ',aline tog :mahout non emactationalean their peers, it et MIS that parents address twin with as power dynamics, ethics and the range of motions that ifien nom pain relation- . bite and sexual tams-fences. tr_ient is a necessary part or* manyof lite actions that Mikis.= engage in. Come:sa- tin shin things like hugging pnwbie platforms for parents to begin a dialogist about consent. I taming the lindarnental klea of lle. ward lee offers a ring boy a foundational and of what consent entails. Early comenations with boys about consent should stress the Importance of ntrormizing that *re mans "no" and that another personli "nos slink, be respected In any context. Boys are coming age in that Imply teaches them to never take 'no' for an answer and to he mom persistent and insistent when they arc told 'no.- It is aitieal that boys recognize tech, on that pressuring or convincing someone to do something is not consent consci it should rover be implied :a- assumed. Even mom important than "no* israeogniling the lack °tennis andeommunimlion that is oflim present in sexual intinniq. Research shows that viettms of sexual violence are more Iikeh to freeze than any other reaction during an assault So, it is im- portant to teach boys that silence does not equal 'yes? Mary parents arc niecignis- tog ''piatt that their sons %%twit: rnerdosanedring harmful is not enough. Penh- Fishing a deeper understanding and appreciation of consent Is foundational in raising boys who are empowering, respectful and inclusive of women and girls. and those conversations should happen early and (Men. tdiant Met Itetnick is an axtixtant prqfasor qfsocial tooth at S't. &two nrs UnitienliN inAtistin. .ii ma Raker iv president alike Ifehroorl's Ilniventity (loopier 0'16 On Us and a social work student Ramon Askrasci is apes". health alumtor and student at St. F.4- traits University. They wrote this column for 7he 'plias Morning Naos. EFTA00313871