At a recent Tween Esteem parent listening session hosted by the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), caregivers came together to share their insights, concerns, and hopes about raising children in an increasingly digital and sexually complex world. Here at CAASE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending sexual exploitation through prevention, policy, and legal advocacy, we have long recognized that meaningful change starts with education, not just for students, but for families and communities as a whole. We’re thrilled to partner with Tweet Esteem, a Chicago-based partner organization whose mission is to empower kids to recapture the authentic confidence they’re born with.
This session was part of CAASE’s broader Prevention Education program, which provides age-appropriate, trauma-informed, and inclusive sexual health and violence prevention education to students across Chicago. The program also supports caregivers and educators, recognizing that youth are most empowered when the adults around them are informed and engaged. Tween Esteem specifically focuses on pre-adolescent youth, their unique developmental needs, and the increasing challenges posed by technology and media.
During the session, one thing became abundantly clear: today’s parents want to do better—and they understand that doing better begins with an open, honest, and early education. Reflecting on their own experiences with sex education, many caregivers described it as basic, delayed, or even nonexistent. “We were separated by gender, shown a video, and left to figure out the rest,” one parent recalled. Others shared that they never received any formal instruction at all, leaving them to navigate relationships and sexuality without guidance or support.
As a result, many expressed a sense of urgency: to start the conversation early, to use medically accurate terminology, and to emphasize consent and bodily autonomy from a young age. These are pillars of CAASE’s curriculum, which is grounded in evidence-based practices and aligned with the National Sexuality Education Standards, Illinois Social and Emotional Learning Standards, and the Common Core State Standards.
Another major theme that emerged was concern over children’s online activity and exposure—including cyberbullying, doxing, AI-generated deepfakes, and sextortion. Parents discussed the need for education that doesn’t just inform kids about what’s out there but also helps them understand why it matters. Participants agreed that developing critical thinking, self-confidence, and communication skills must be non-negotiables in modern sex education.
Still, many acknowledged how difficult it can be to initiate these conversations at home. The collective advice? Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Use real-world situations: TV shows, news headlines, or questions your child brings up as entry points. Be willing to lean into discomfort. “No question is taboo,” one parent emphasized. “You have to have those uncomfortable conversations—because it’s for their safety.”
Toward the end of the session, parents voiced a strong desire for CAASE and local schools to take a more active role. They called for curriculum tailored to younger age groups, increased advocacy for systemic change in how sex education is delivered, and parent-focused resources that support caregivers in continuing the conversation at home. As one parent put it, “As the times change, this curriculum needs to change.”
Through its work in schools and communities, CAASE remains committed to ensuring that families are not navigating these challenges alone. The organization envisions a future where sex education starts early, centers the needs and voices of youth and families, and equips everyone with the tools to build healthy, respectful relationships. The voices heard at this Tween Esteem session are a powerful reminder that when parents are supported, young people thrive.
Together, we can build a sex education system that reflects the realities of today’s world—one that prepares tweens to make safe, informed decisions and empowers families to lead the way.
A more formal report from this listening session is coming later this summer. Stay tuned for more!
This piece was published on June 30, 2025. It was authored by Skyler Keena Whitehead and edited by Sam McCarthy and Lizzy Springer. Learn more about our staff here.
