We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
557
May 15, 2015

Birds & Bees

Some information is so big and so complicated that it seems impossible to talk to kids about. This week, stories about the vague and not-so-vague ways we teach children about race, death, and sex.

  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript

Tile painting by Ashley Newman of Baked in Brooklyn

Prologue

This American Life producer Chana Joffe-Walt sits in for Ira Glass, because Chana has kids, two young sons. And her oldest, Jacob, has some complicated ideas about people, that Chana wants to straighten out, but doesn’t know exactly how. (4 1/2 minutes)

By

Chana Joffe-Walt
Act One

Some Like it Not (On the Neck)

Workshops on sexual assault and consent are hugely popular on college campuses around the country. Chana visits one of these workshops to find out what’s being taught, and more importantly, what college boys in particular have already learned about sex, back when they were kids. (13 1/2 minutes)

By

Chana Joffe-Walt
Act Two

If You See Racism Say Racism

Comedian W. Kamau Bell has two daughters, and tries to figure out just how much about the violent history of racism and oppression his four-year-old can handle. W. Kamau Bell hosts the CNN show United Shades of America. (22 minutes)

 

By

W. Kamau Bell
Act Three

About that Farm Upstate

While it’s hard to explain to kids how babies come into the world, it might be harder to explain that people leave the world too — especially to a kid whose mom or dad or brother or sister has died. There are grief counseling centers all over the U.S. that cater specifically to children. Reporter Jonathan Goldstein visited one in Salt Lake City.  Jonathan is the host of Heavyweight from Gimlet Media. (22 minutes)

By

Jonathan Goldstein

Song:

“Teach The Gifted Children” by Lou Reed

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
815: How I Learned to Shave
Nov. 17, 2023

Act Three: Storycorps, the Post-Apocalypse Edition

Simon Rich reads his short story "History Report," in which a father explains the sex robots of the future.
745: Getting Out
Aug. 27, 2021

Act One

Nancy Updike tells the story of the phone call from the prologue.
489: No Coincidence, No Story!
Mar. 1, 2013

Act Two: In God We Trust

When it comes to love, coincidences tend to loom extra-large.

Staff Recommendations

View all
513
Dec. 13, 2013

129 Cars

One car dealership tries to make its monthly quota: 129 cars. It is way more chaotic than we expected.

570
Oct. 16, 2015

The Night in Question

Conspiracy theories about the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin continue to shape Israel's politics and future.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email