Kids need to learn about their bodies, consent and types of abuse early so that they are able to recognize and report abuse being done to them or others. If not, they don't have an understanding of the language needed to express that things that are wrong and they need help.
This is EXACTLY why republicans don't want children to have a functional path to sexual education. And similarly why they don't want their voters to have a basic general education.
Yeah, I was 22 years old when my mother sat me down for "the talk", and even then, it only consisted of "don't go to bed with someone". LITERALLY nothing more than that. I just looked at her cockeyed and told her she was pretty late for this talk. And of course the talk itself was just so sub par.
I could be wrong, but I don't think your experience was typical. I hope I'm not wrong. My mom did this whole little lesson plan with me when I was entering puberty, including reading a book to me that I think was called Preparing for Puberty. It was awkward, but I'm glad that she took the time to share that information with me.