CHAPTER 24 Sexual Feelings and Relationships Lesson 2 Diversity in Relationships

Building Vocabulary homosexual An individual who is romantically and sexually attracted to people of the same gender bisexual An individual who is romantically and sexually attracted to people of both genders heterosexual An individual who is attracted to people of the other gender LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home

Building Vocabulary transgender Individuals whose gender identity differs from others of their gender intersexual An individual who was born with both male and female characteristics questioning Individual who questions his or her gender identity or sexual orientation LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home

Recognizing Sexual Feelings LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Adolescence is a time when your sexual feelings emerge. These feelings are normal and healthy. They are controlled by hormones that affect your physical growth. Sexual feelings are also important for the reproductive process. When you recognize sexual feelings, you can learn how to respond to them in a healthful way.

Responding to Sexual Feelings LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home It can be difficult to make a responsible decision when you have strong feelings for someone. For that reason, it is a good idea to set limits on expressing affection. Setting limits shows that you accept responsibility for your health and your future.

Sexual Orientation LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Sexual Orientation is part of your personality and defines the way you view yourself and how you are attracted to others.

Sexual Orientation bisexual An individual who is romantically and sexually attracted to people of both genders LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home New Vocabulary Homosexual describes an individual who is sexually attracted to people of the same gender. Bisexual describes an individual who is sexually attracted to people of both genders. New Vocabulary homosexual An individual who is romantically and sexually attracted to people of the same gender

Sexual Orientation heterosexual An individual who is attracted to people of the other gender LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home New Vocabulary Heterosexual describes an individual who is attracted to people of the opposite sex. Transgender describes individuals whose gender identity differs from others of their gender. They can be heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. A transgender person may choose to live as his or her opposite gender. New Vocabulary transgender Individuals whose gender identity differs from others of their gender

Sexual Orientation intersexual An individual who was born with both male and female characteristics LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home New Vocabulary Intersexual describes an individual who was born with both male and female characteristics. Questioning describes an individual who questions their own identity and orientation. LGBTQ is a common acronym meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. New Vocabulary Questioning Individual who questions his or her gender identity or sexual orientation

Gender and Gender Identity LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Gender identification describes your biological traits and how you view yourself. Sexual orientation, however, is different. Sexual orientation describes the gender to whom you are attracted.

Gender and Gender Identity LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Some common terms related to gender and gender identification include: Sex describes the biological sex traits of our body, such as having a penis or vagina. Transgender is a general term describing an individual whose gender identity differs from that of their biological traits. Intersex is a term that describes a variety of conditions in which a person’s reproductive or sexual anatomy seems to be different. In some cases, the differences may be internal and the person may not be aware of them until later in life.

Questioning Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Teens who question their sexual orientation or gender identity experience stress. They may feel concerned about how family and friends will accept them. They may have fears about being teased or attacked. It is important to remember that every person is unique and deserves respect as an individual. A person should not be judged or treated badly because of his or her feelings for others.

Questioning Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home It can be helpful for teens who have issues about their sexual orientation to speak with a trusted adult or counselor. A counselor should be trained in supporting teens who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. A trusted adult or trained counselor can help them talk about their feelings and concerns and provide them with facts.

Coming Out LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home The term coming out refers to recognizing yourself or telling others that you are LGBTQ.

Coming Out LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Before coming out, think about talking to a trusted adult about how you will share your feelings. Define the reasons why you want to come out. Avoid coming out while you or another person is angry. Avoid coming out to someone who may physically hurt you. Avoid telling someone who may tease you or tell others without your permission.

Coming Out LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Teens who are struggling with coming out have a resource. The Trevor Project operates a free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week hotline ( ) for LGBTQ youth. Staff who take calls are trained to help people who are struggling with coming out, or who are considering suicide. All calls are confidential, which means that no one will know that you called or what you talked about to the counselor.

Dating LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Group dates offer opportunities to spend time with a variety of people while getting to know yourself better. Over time, a teen may develop feelings for just one person. He or she may want to start individual dating. Through dating, teens can learn more about another person with whom they share similar interests.

Dating LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Not everyone that you ask on a date will want to date you. When a person says no, accept that person’s response. You may be told no because the person is not interested in dating you. However, the person may also feel that he or she is not ready to date, or may be shy.

Declining a Date LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home If you decide to decline a date, try to do so in a way that won’t hurt the person’s feelings. Remember that it took courage for the person to approach you. Not all teens feel ready to date. It is a good idea to wait until you feel comfortable about dating. Your parents or guardians can help you decide at what age dating is best.

Making Decisions About Sexual Activity LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Set limits regarding sexual activity and make them clear before going on a date. Sometimes, strong feelings may make teens feel pressured to engage in sexual activity. It is important to recognize these strong feelings in order to make healthy decisions.

Making Decisions About Sexual Activity LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Engaging in sexual activity raises the risk for bisexual or questioning teens. They are at a higher risk for getting sexually transmitted diseases and becoming pregnant. Sexual activity will not help you discover your orientation. It will not change your orientation. Your orientation is part of you and how you feel. Behavior is what you do.

Physical Attraction and Infatuation LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Physical attraction is not the same thing as being in love. Infatuation can sometimes be mistaken for love. You do not have to engage in sexual activity to show affection.

Risks of Sexual Activity LESSON 2 Diversity in Relationships BIG IDEA The physical, mental/emotional, and social changes of adolescence prepare you for adulthood. Lesson Home Teens who choose to become sexually active put themselves at risk for an unintended pregnancy, as well as STDs. By choosing to practice abstinence from sexual activity, you make a healthy decision to prevent teen pregnancy and avoid STDs. Abstinence is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing an unplanned pregnancy and STDS, including HIV/AIDS.