Reproductive Health & Safety Module 2 Understanding Adolescent Sexuality & Abstinence 7 th Grade Puberty

Puberty Changes Girls Breasts develop Hips develop Body fills out menstruation Boys Facial Hair Testes, scrotum, penis develop Sperm production Changes in both Girls and Boys Underarm hair Acne Sweat glands more active Pubic hair Other body hair Muscles develop

What are some emotional changes teenagers go through? Emotional Mood Swings Sometimes wanting to be alone or only with particular people Developing attractions toward other people Development of sexual feelings These are normal! You do NOT have to have sex

Why Some Teens Have Sex To keep a boyfriend or girlfriend To have fun To feel more grown up To be popular To get back at parents To have a baby To be like others – peer pressure To satisfy curiosity To express feelings to a partner Loneliness To experience physical pleasure For sexual release To feel loved, needed Problems at home See it on TV, in the movies Forced To brag about it to friends Low self-esteem To give support to their partner Anger

What Reasons on the list would you risk your future of your life for? How can sexual intercourse stop you from achieving your goals? If a teen decided to stop having sexual intercourse because he or she discovered that it was the best choice for them, how would they benefit?

What places do you hear & learn about sex? School Friends/peers Parents Church Media Can you think of others?

What do your friends or peers say about sex? Everyone is doing it Having sex makes you popular It feels good “Trust me” “If you love me, you’ll do it” If you don’t someone else will You won’t because you’re scared Wait until your older You won’t get pregnant Nobody wants to be a virgin

What messages do movies or music send about sex? Sex is worth the risk Sex is more important than feelings It’s okay to have multiple partners No one is a virgin Dress, look, smell, act sexy Women should show their bodies The more, the better Casual sex is fun Everyone cheats in relationships

Parents and Sex – What’s their message? Don’t have sex. Wait until you are married to have sex. Sex is not worth the consequences.

How do all of these messages affect you? Do you think people your age are ready to handle the responsibilities & consequences of sex? Why or why not?

At your age the proud & responsible things to remember are: It’s OK to THINK about sex. It’s OK to TALK about sex. It’s OK to DEVELOP feelings & attitudes about sex. BUT, it’s NOT a good idea to HAVE sex until you are prepared to have sex with respect & responsibility.

BehaviorResult in Pregnancy, STD or HIV Oral Sex Dancing Anal Sex Talking Sexual Intercourse Sexual Fantasy Saying “I like you” Hugging Kissing Holding Hands Touching Grinding Massaging Cuddling Touching each other’s genitals Yes No Yes No Yes No How do people express their sexual feelings?

Why won’t everybody want to engage in ALL of these behaviors? May not feel good or be appealing Some may be risky Religious or moral obligations

What is Abstinence? Avoiding oral sex, anal sex & vaginal sex Which behaviors in particular should people avoid if they are practicing abstinence? Any behavior that involves exposure to blood, semen or vaginal secretions can transmit STDs, including HIV Abstinence is the SAFEST & MOST EFFECTIVE way to avoid getting an STD & prevent an unwanted pregnancy! Abstinence is the PROUD & RESPONSIBLE thing to do!

Benefits of Abstinence Avoid pregnancy, STD, HIV Don’t worry about parents finding out Uphold religious beliefs Achieve future goals & dreams Sex will be better if you wait until you are ready physically & mentally Avoid getting a reputation Have better chance to finish school Have less of chance of raising a child yourself Have time to build a strong relationship, before sex complicates things Feel good about your choices Feel free to be a teenager. FREEDOM!! FREEDOM!!