Teen Sexual Health

Teen Workshop Modules

Overview | Understanding The Risks Of Sex | Exploring The Idea Of Sexual Limits | Developing A Decision-Making Framework | Using Values To Guide Your Decisions

Values & Decision Making II: Understanding The Risks Of Sex

Estimated Time: 15 Minutes

Procedure:

1. Explain the objectives for the workshop.

2. Explain that for this activity, we are going to use the broad definition of "sex," which means any activity that is meant to fulfill sexual desires or urges. This includes a range of activities that fall under digital, oral, vaginal, and anal sex.

3. Explain that the next activity is a group brainstorm. Divide the group into four small groups. Give each group a sheet of flipchart paper and a marker. Assign one of the following themes to each group. Encourage participants to think holistically (involving the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual/moral). They may want to divide their paper into 4 quadrants before starting.

When it comes to sex, some of the possible outcomes are.
When it comes to sex, knowledge and skills people need include.
Reasons for having sex include.
Reasons for not having sex include

Facilitator's Notes
Physical: STIs, HIV, unintended pregnancies Relational: The focus on the relationship may change to include more focus on sexual intimacy and less on other forms of intimacy. If one or both partners are not ready to be sexually active, he or she may have difficulties dealing with emotions that may impact the relationship. One partner may want sexual activity more than the other, which may affect how they both feel in the relationship. Emotional: People experience a wide range of emotions around sex: pleasure, guilt, fear, disappointment, heartbreak, etc. Spiritual/Moral: Our choices and how they fit with our moral and/or spiritual beliefs may impact how we see ourselves.

Facilitator's Notes

Physical: STIs, HIV, unintended pregnancies

Relational: The focus on the relationship may change to include more focus on sexual intimacy and less on other forms of intimacy. If one or both partners are not ready to be sexually active, he or she may have difficulties dealing with emotions that may impact the relationship. One partner may want sexual activity more than the other, which may affect how they both feel in the relationship.

Emotional: People experience a wide range of emotions around sex: pleasure, guilt, fear, disappointment, heartbreak, etc.

Spiritual/Moral: Our choices and how they fit with our moral and/or spiritual beliefs may impact how we see ourselves.

4. Post flipcharts and quickly read over the lists with the group. Ask which things contribute to healthy decisions about sexuality? Ask which contribute to unhealthy decisions?

5. Explain that we often hear people say that they want to wait until they are "ready" to have sex. "Being ready" is an ambiguous term. We want to figure out how we know if we are "ready." As a group, we are going to choose the top 10 qualities, abilities, or skills from the four flipcharts that someone would have to possess in order to know they are "ready" to be sexually active. Each person will have 10 votes. You indicate your vote by putting a dot beside the items you think are most important.

Facilitator's Notes
Some Indicators of Being Ready: You know why you want to have sex with someone and it's a healthy reason, one that fits with your values. It's not because they want you to, you think it will save the relationship, all your friends already have had sex, etc. You are making the choice based on what you want, not what someone else wants. You have reasonable expectations about sex. You are prepared to deal with the ways sex may affect your relationship. You are able to share your sexual limits with your partner and trust they will respect your limits. You can talk openly with your partner about what you like and don't like in the relationship. You care about your partner's physical and emotional health, and they care about yours. You have thought about the risks of being sexually active, have taken steps to reduce these risks, and are prepared to deal with any unwanted outcomes (STIs, unintended pregnancy, etc.). You can talk to your partner about sex and your sexuality.

Facilitator's Notes

Some Indicators of Being Ready:

You know why you want to have sex with someone and it's a healthy reason, one that fits with your values. It's not because they want you to, you think it will save the relationship, all your friends already have had sex, etc.
You are making the choice based on what you want, not what someone else wants.
You have reasonable expectations about sex.
You are prepared to deal with the ways sex may affect your relationship.
You are able to share your sexual limits with your partner and trust they will respect your limits.
You can talk openly with your partner about what you like and don't like in the relationship.
You care about your partner's physical and emotional health, and they care about yours.
You have thought about the risks of being sexually active, have taken steps to reduce these risks, and are prepared to deal with any unwanted outcomes (STIs, unintended pregnancy, etc.).
You can talk to your partner about sex and your sexuality.

6. Once all the students have voted, put a star besides the 10 qualities that have received the most votes. Ask the students why these qualities are important.

7. Emphasize that healthy decisions tend to be informed decisions. The information they have just come up with is important to keep in mind when establishing sexual limits. We are all comfortable with different things and need to know what is within our comfort zone in order to make decisions that help us take care of ourselves.

To: Exploring The Idea Of Sexual Limits >