Kristen Bell Got Real With Her Kids About Who Is In Charge During Sex

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell are the internet’s favorite cool parents and they once again flexed a bit of their wisdom when Shepard discussed the “ingenious” way Bell has been introducing sex to their daughters, Lincoln, 8, and Delta, 6. Specifically, they are placing the focus on consent in order to ensure their daughters understand the importance of a woman having an active role in her own sexual activity.

On the most recent episode of his podcast Armchair Expert, Shepard opened up to Gwyneth Paltrow about how he and his wife approach discussing sexuality with their daughters, revealing that Bell has reframed the conversation to not simply center sex around men.

“She says, ‘And then the woman takes the man’s penis and puts it in her vagina,'” Shepard explained. “So right away it’s, you’re in charge of this, you will decide to put this in your vagina, not the man puts his penis in your vagina.”

It was an approach that Paltrow agreed with, noting that women are usually told to entirely base their sexual experience around how a man feels rather than focusing on their own pleasure and comfort. Shepard expressed his admiration for his wife’s approach, saying he felt comfortable with her taking charge in this case.

“You’re in the driver’s seat,” he added. “I was like, ‘That’s a nice little adjustment we’re gonna make.'”

Consent remains a largely undiscussed part of sex for most people, which can lead to unhealthy sexual dynamics as teens begin to explore their sexuality. Increasingly, experts have supported the notion of including consent as an essential part of “The Birds & the Bees” discussions.

Shepard also got honest about wanting his daughters to enjoy sex and not feel shame around it, telling Paltrow that he does not “want my daughters to have sex so they can get approval from somebody” but that he is against “this notion I have to protect my daughters’ virginity with great prejudice if necessary.”