1. INFLUENCES AND COMMUNICATION UNIT 8 & 9: STI PREVENTION & SEX ED

2. FACTORS INFLUENCING DECISIONS ABOUT SEXUAL BEHAVIOR Boyfriends, girlfriends, & partners Friends and other peers Parents & other family members Ethical, moral, and/or religious beliefs Media Norms Laws

3. HOW CAN WE COMMUNICATE HONESTLY & DIRECTLY WITH OTHERS? HAVE AN OPENING LINE STATE YOUR FEELINGS AND OPINIONS CLEARLY AND RESPECTFULLY LISTEN CAREFULLY

4. COMMUNICATION PRACTICE SAMPLE OPENING LINES: Can we talk about something? I’m confused about a few things. I’d like you to help me. You really seem to want something different in this relationship that I do. We need to talk about it.

5. COMMUNICATION PRACTICE STEPS FOR STATING YOUR FEELINGS: TAKE OWNERSHIP: SAY: “I THINK …” OR “I FEEL…” STATE THE FACTS STATE YOUR REASONS, IF YOU THINK IT WILL HELP TELL WHAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN, IF YOU THINK IT WILL HELP

6. COMMUNICATION PRACTICE WHAT DO GOOD LISTENING SKILLS LOOK LIKE? Give person your full attention Stop what you are doing Look at the person Restate what the person says to be sure you understand

7. COMMUNICATION BENEFITS & BARRIERS What do you think are the benefits of talking with your peers about decisions related to sex and communicating directly about your limits?

8. COMMUNICATION BENEFITS & BARRIERS What do you think are the benefits of talking with parents, family members, other trusted adults, peers, and medical professionals about decisions related to sex and the potential consequences?

9. COMMUNICATION BENEFITS & BARRIERS What do you think are the reasons people don’t communicate with sexual partners, parents, family members, other trusted adults, and medical professionals about personal limits and sexual decisions and the potential consequences?