How do you handle sex-ed as an atheist parent?

I really like what /u/Mr_Monster has already written in response, so I'll just share my parenting experience.

Three daughters, raised all of them myself. We talked openly about sex and all things related. I definitely didn't want them to have ANY negative associations, so we didn't use words like "promiscuity" or "abstinence" or "waiting for the right person". We talked about things in technical terms -- and covered everything from anal sex to rimjobs, blowjobs, cunniligus, fingering, same-gender sex, etc. I told them how I personally was careful about who I slept with simply because for me, it seemed like I had a tendency to develop an emotional attachment to anyone I shared a bed with, and that it sometimes had gotten awkward or unhealthy for me. I told them everyone was different, so they'd have to figure out what sort of person they were. I reassured them that sometimes it takes a while (even years in some cases) to understand what works best for them.

Fast forward to now. My eldest went on birth control at age 15, and spent the next few years experimenting with both boys and girls. She's now a botanist working in education and is in a comfortable polyamorous relationship with a man and another woman. My middle kid didn't even consider birth control until she was 18, first sexual experience was still years away, and she's not interested in jumping in the sack with anyone until she's damn sure they're actually going to work out as a long-term relationship. Not sure she'd call herself heterosexual, but I think for the most part she dates men. Youngest started birth control at 13, and sees sex as a normal part of dating. She tends to have long-term relationships (1-2 years each), and says she's "so over" random hookups. She dated a girl once, which confirmed her suspicion that she is solidly heterosexual.

Each of them has been incredibly responsible in terms of personal sexual health. They have a zero tolerance policy for unsafe sex, and get regular checkups. None of them appear to be in any way ashamed of their sexuality, but clearly each of them has developed her own distinct ethic.

/r/atheistparents Thread