Talking About Sex Education The What’s and Why’s

Sex I.Q. Test Answers: 1.T 2.F 3.T 4.T 5.F 6.F 7.T 8.F 9.F 10. F 11. F 12. F 13. T 14. F 15. F 16. T 17. T 18. T 19. F 20. F

A History lesson 1950: “Sex Education as Human Relations” 1960: The “pill” on market 1964: SIECUS founded 1969: Stonewall Riots & Woodstock 1973: Roe vs. Wade 1981: AIDS first diagnosed 1995: National Coalition established 1998: AIDS public education in 42 states 2004: Youth Risk studies 2006: Rhode Island bans abstinence- only program.

Model for Understanding Sexualization -Influence -Manipulation -Sexism Sensuality -Physiology -Human sexual response -Fantasy & memory Intimacy -Self-disclosure -Openness -Understanding & being understood Identity -Gender -Gender Roles -Orientation Reproduction -Conception -Birth control -Abortion -STDs

Sex Education The National Guidelines –To provide accurate information about human sexuality –To provide an opportunity for young people to develop and understand their values, attitudes, and beliefs about sexuality –To help young people develop relationship and interpersonal skills –To help young people exercise responsibility regarding sexual relationships.

Types of Sex Education Abstinence-only Comprehensive: –Promotes sexual health by trying to prevent health risks and sexual abuse –Educates on STDs, Contraceptives, physiology and reproduction.

The Need More than 80% of parents and adolescents desire sex education 90% of respondents wanted abstinence discussion in public school 70% opposed using federal money for programs without education on contraception.

What’s Missing Why to stay abstinent Sexualization –Sexism, manipulation, and the influence of sexuality. Intimacy –What does it mean to be intimate? –It’s not just physical, it’s emotional too. Identity –Gender role and identity –Males and Females are wired differently –Orientation

It’s more than “just sex” Most teenagers think it’s no big deal. Explain the reality of it all There’s emotional and spiritual consequences –Emotionally, the typical response is regret, guilt, emptiness, and disappointment –Spiritually, it is a sin and disobeys God, when it happens outside marriage.

God Educates Parents are the primary educators –“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”—Deuteronomy 5:13 Sex outside of marriage is a sin –“…The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body…Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins again his own body.”—1 Corinthians 6:13, 18

God Educates God provides the way and the words. –“…do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”—Matthew 10:19-20 He forgives our shortcomings. –“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”—Ephesians 2:4-5

Tips on talking to your child Encourage communication Listen more than you talk. Don't jump to conclusions. Give factual, honest, short and simple answers. Respect your child's views. Reassure your children that they are normal. Don’t be afraid to share your beliefs Admit when you don't know the answer to a question.

Resources “How to Talk Confidently with Your Child about Sex”—Lenore Buth (CPH) Focusonthefamily.com Familyeducation.com Talkingwithkids.org

Remember… You influence your child’s life greatly!

Works Cited: Cassidy & Powell. Family Life Education. Waveland Press, Inc Freudenburg & Lawrence. The Family Friendly Church. Group publishing Olson & DeFrian. Marriages and Families. McGraw Hill Avert. abstinence.htm.