The parenting dilemma for the TikTok generation: Expert reveals how to answer children's questions about sexually explicit songs... after Jackie 'O' Henderson had to explain Cardi B's WAP to her nine-year-old daughter
One of Australia's leading parenting experts has revealed how to answer children's questions about sexually explicit music, as songs such as Cardi B's WAP ft. Megan Thee Stallion continue to storm the charts and reach young audiences on TikTok.
Dr Justin Coulson spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the dilemma faced by many parents after radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson revealed on air earlier this week that she'd had to explain to her nine-year-old daughter, Kitty, what 'WAP' meant.
For the uninitiated, 'WAP' is an acronym for 'wet a** p***y', although the 'clean' radio edit of the song replaces this phrase with 'wet and gushy'.
Dr Coulson praised Jackie's straightforward and no-nonsense approach to explaining the song to her curious daughter, and encouraged other parents in a similar position not to be embarrassed about giving their children 'the facts' at any age.
Advice: One of Australia's leading parenting experts has revealed how to answer children's questions about sexually explicit music, as songs such as Cardi B's WAP ft. Megan Thee Stallion continue to storm the charts and reach young audiences on TikTok
'One of the challenges we have in 2020 is that kids have access to content and material which is explicit. Unfortunately for us, Cardi B is bringing this conversation to us, as Jackie has experienced,' Dr Coulson said.
'It's important that we as parents are responsive to curiosity and deliver the facts. Children shouldn't be getting information merely from a Cardi B song, or somewhere in the school playground.
'We give them the facts, and we don't give it in a "pornified" way. As parents, we should have that attitude.'
Speaking on her KIIS FM breakfast show on Thursday, 45-year-old Jackie revealed what happened when her daughter asked her the meaning of the song WAP.
Candid: Dr Justin Coulson spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the dilemma faced by many parents after radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson revealed on air earlier this week that she'd had to explain to her nine-year-old daughter, Kitty , what 'WAP' meant
'I explained it to her, actually!' she told her co-host Kyle Sandilands. 'I feel like you should be honest with your kid.
'She wanted to know. So I said it's when you go to have sex, you get a bit excited and it comes a little bit... your vagina becomes wet.'
Dr Coulson noted that while no child should be listening to such 'breathtakingly explicit' music, it's important to answer any questions they have as they approach adolescence.
'What needs to happen is that parents should be having good-quality conversations about sex and intimacy from a young age,' he said.
'If parents are allowing their children to listen to songs like this, they need to be mature and able to talk about it.'
He added that when children ask about uncomfortable topics, parents should respond with something like: 'I'm so glad you asked me, and let's talk about it some more if you have any more questions.'
The talk: For the uninitiated, 'WAP' is an acronym for 'wet a** p***y', although the radio edit of the song replaces this phrase with 'wet and gushy'. Jackie (right, with co-host Kyle Sandilands) took a straightforward approach and explained to her daughter what the song meant
'It shouldn't be a one-off discussion,' Dr Coulson emphasised.
'Not just about sex in itself, but about the importance of consent, about what happens to the body, and about alcohol.'
WAP received critical acclaim upon its release earlier this year, with many praising its 'sexually positive' message, but others criticised its explicit descriptions of sex.
The single has become a worldwide phenomenon, with Tik Tok stars of all ages from across the globe learning the 'WAP dance' and performing it online.
Jackie shares custody of Kitty with her ex-husband Lee Henderson.
The former couple separated in 2018 after 15 years of marriage, but remain on amicable terms as they co-parent their daughter.
Exes: Jackie shares custody of Kitty with her ex-husband Lee Henderson . They separated in 2018 after 15 years of marriage, but remain on amicable terms as they co-parent their child