PRINCIPLES OF SEXUALITY EDUCATION Helping Kids to Ask Difficult Questions

PRINCIPLES OF SEXUALITY EDUCATION INCLUSIVE INCLUSIVE SUPPORTIVE SUPPORTIVE RESPECTFUL RESPECTFUL COMPREHENSIVE COMPREHENSIVE

INCLUSIVE Family functioning Family functioning Poverty Poverty Homophobia Homophobia Sexism Sexism Sexual abuse/sexual assaults Sexual abuse/sexual assaults ALL STUDENTS DESERVE TO FEEL VALIDATED AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE CLASS ALL STUDENTS DESERVE TO FEEL VALIDATED AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE CLASS

SUPPORTIVE Diversity of race Diversity of race Diversity of gender Diversity of gender Diversity of culture Diversity of culture Diversity of orientation Diversity of orientation Diversity of ability Diversity of ability ALL STUDENTS NEED TO HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM RISK OF VICTIMIZATION ALL STUDENTS NEED TO HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM RISK OF VICTIMIZATION

RESPECTFUL Diversity of viewpoints are encouraged and respected Diversity of viewpoints are encouraged and respected Meaningful discussions may help students make informed decisions and develop a sense of fairness when taking positions on sensitive issues Meaningful discussions may help students make informed decisions and develop a sense of fairness when taking positions on sensitive issues

COMPREHENSIVE Acquisition of knowledge Acquisition of knowledge Skill building Skill building Attitudes and values Attitudes and values Sexuality education must be: Sexuality education must be: SequentialSequential RelevantRelevant Involve other stakeholdersInvolve other stakeholders

FACILITATING SEXUAL HEALTH LEARNING Know yourself Know your students Establish guiding principles for discussion in the classroom Create a respectful & supportive classroom environment Create an inclusive classroom Take the role of advocate Establish ground rules for questions

KNOW YOURSELF What are your own beliefs, values, attitudes regarding sexual health issues? How might those attitudes affect your students? DO NOT TAKE SIDES!

KNOW YOUR STUDENTS Knowing the background of your students will help you to set the tone in your classroom, and to ensure that each student feels like a valued and contributing member of the class How will you get to know your students?

ESTABLISH GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR DISCUSSION Involve the students in this process so that they take ownership for their own behaviour (OPHEA sample) Everyone has the right to be respected Everyone has the right to express his/her own opinion without fear of reprisal NO NAME CALLING, NO PUT DOWNS

CREATE A RESPECTFUL & SUPPORTIVE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT Develop a policy on confidentiality All questions are valid Establish a resource area in the classroom

CREATE AN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM Everyone has the right to participate in his/her own way: silence does not necessarily mean non-participation! Question box Widespread discussion / group work Clear, inclusive language Role model empathetic listening, respectful behaviour

TAKE THE ROLE OF ADVOCATE Be as knowledgeable as possible Encourage ongoing professional education Establish contacts in the community Establish liaisons with parents

ESTABLISH GROUND RULES FOR QUESTIONS No personal questions Respect for each person’s feelings Students have the right to “pass” on answering questions If you do not know the answer, be honest, but find out!

HOW TO RESPOND???? 1. Am I Normal? questions 2. Permission seeking questions 3. Values questions 4. Shock questions 5. Personal questions 6. Information-seeking questions

THE FOUR POINT PLAN 1. FACTS – establish, dispel, find out together 2. VALUES – share global values, nondiscrimination, mutual respect, privacy, explore family values 3. RESPONSIBILITIES – actions have consequences 4. SELF-ESTEEM – value & respect yourself and others

Sexuality Education… An essential part of education