1. An Overview of Human
Sexuality
For Foster/Adoptive Parents

2. Introductions Name Where you live Length of time fostering
One expectation of training

3. Objectives Define sexuality Identify normal patterns of development
Describe motivations of sexually active teens
Define sexual responsibility
Promote child’s healthy sexual development
Assess media messages to youth
Identify and dispel common myths about sex
List major methods of contraception

4. Take a Stand – Agree or Disagree…
Men and women are different in their feelings and desires.
Women should stay home to care for children.
Parents should share feelings about their sexuality.
Girls should not ask boys out.
Sex should be reserved for marriage.

5. Agree or Disagree – con’t
Birth control is the woman’s responsibility.
Teens should be scared into abstinence by seeing those dying of AIDS.
Masturbation is healthy and natural.
Either sex should feel free to initiate sexual acts.

6. My Parents Told Me.. Break into small groups.
Identify recorders and reporters.
Identify your parents’ message about each topic.
Do you agree or disagree with their message?
Money
Friendship
Love
Relationships
Being LGBTQ
Marriage
Sex
Masturbation
Being a Man/Woman

7. Approaches to Convey Message
Telling and/or Moralizing
Modeling
Clarifying Values

8. Small Group Activity Share message you want to convey about the topic.
Identify the approach you’d use: i.e.,
Telling/Moralizing
Modeling
Clarifying values
Money
Friendship
Love
Relationships
Being Gay/Lesbian
Marriage
Sex
Masturbation
Being a Man/Woman

9. Human Sexuality… Is a function of the total personality
Is universal and connected to all developmental areas
Includes biological processes
Includes self-concept
Is expressed in interactions with either sex
Includes sexual orientation
Is powerfully influenced by religion, culture, family and friends

10. SEX Includes biological qualities particular to the male and female.
Encompasses the biological processes associated with reproduction.
Entails behavior specific to sexual relations.

11. LGBTQ and More Definitions
Sexual orientation
Gender identity
Gender expression
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Transgender
Questioning
A Straight Guide to LGTB Americans

12. Sexual Development
Physical
Emotional
Mental
Social
Moral

13. Life Cycle of Sexuality
Birth to 3 years
4 – 8 years
9 – 12 years
13 – 18 years +

14. Teenage Sexuality On average, teens begin intercourse at 16.
By 19, 80% males and 66% females have had sexual intercourse.
40% of 14 yr. olds will be pregnant by 19.
50% of sexually active teens don’t use birth control; most wait 6 months for RX.
50% pregnancies occur w/in first 6 mos.
96% teen moms keep their babies.

15. Youth Sexuality and Parental Response
Define the behavior/situation.
Identify your feelings.
Clarify your values.
Define problem in terms of its effects on the youth’s development and its consequences for others.

16. Reasons People Have Sex:

17. Reasons People Have Sex:
For fun
Out of love
To have a baby
Out of curiosity
To prove adulthood
To prove fe/maleness
To show control
Out of attraction
Due to peer pressure
Out of fear
For revenge
To be touched
For money
For attention
To feel loved
Facilitate discussion and ask, “What are some reasons people have sex?” (use text chat or raise hand)
Summarize by reviewing the list of bullets.
Bridge to next slide that asks, “Is what’s good for the goose good for the gander?” (i.e., teens and adults)

18. Is what’s good for the goose good for the gander ?
How is sex the same/different for teens and adults?
In what ways is sex satisfying to teens?
In what ways is sex unsatisfying to teens?
What motivates teens to have sex when its not satisfying?

19. I can’t get no satisfaction…
Partners can be selfish.
Sex can be scary.
Sex can be painful.
Teens may feel guilt, shame if its at odds with belief system.
Sex doesn’t guarantee satisfaction.

20. Foster Parent’s Role in Child’s Healthy Sexual Development:
Promote child’s overall development.
Build child’s self-esteem.
Establish and maintain child’s connections.
Create climate for openly communicating about sexual matters.
Compare bullets with group’s responses. Reach consensus.
Bridge to discussion of other variables and influences that come into play along with our efforts…i.e., .MEDIA .

21. SEX is all around us… TV Movies MTV CD covers Popular songs Posters
Magazines
Billboards
Commercials
Movies
CD covers
Posters
Books
Internet
Sexting
Telephone 900 #’s

22. Questions Kids Ask Identify your feelings/values.
Identify questions that you cannot answer.
Identify resources for gathering needed information.

23. Dispelling the Myths Be open to communicating about sex.
Discuss and model your values.
Respond to youth’s emotional needs.
Provide accurate and concrete information: e.g., reproduction, contraception, pregnancy, parenthood and STDs.

24. Contraception Birth control pills Condoms Contraceptive foam/jelly
Diaphragm
IUD
Contraceptive sponge
Natural family planning
Withdrawal
Abstinence
Norplant
Cervical cap
Deprovera shot
The patch

25. Factors that Affect Teen’s Use of Contraceptives
Psychological factors
Motivational factors
Values

26. Understanding the complexity of sexual development helps the foster parent guide sexual decision-making and sexual responsibility.

27. I will use information from this training to:
__________________________

28. Acknowledgement Disclaimer
This document is provided under a contractual agreement between the
New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Division of Administration
Bureau of Training and Development
AND
State University of New York College at Buffalo
Acknowledgement
This material was developed by the SUNY Buffalo State, Institute for Community Health Promotion (ICHP), Center for Development of Human Services (CDHS) under a training and administrative services agreement with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to provide accurate and complete information, the Office of Children and Family Services and the State of New York assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided herein and make no representations or warranties about the suitability of the information contained here for any purpose. All information and documents are provided “as is,” without a warranty of any kind.
Copyright © 2015 by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services