Let’s talk about sex…

As parents and professionals, what messages do we want youth to receive about sexual health?

OR…

We can prioritize their needs over our fears and empower them to make safe choices and know where to go for help.

Examples of empowering statements-

• You are the boss of your body
• Sex can be pleasurable, equitable, and safe
• Consent and communication are essential parts of all relationships
• Your gender only has to make sense to you
• Gender and sexuality are complex and fluid
• Bodies exist on a spectrum not a binary
• There is no “wrong” way to have a body!
• You get to define what “sex” means to you
• Being curious about bodies, sex, pleasure… is human!

What is the best approach to address this topic with youth?

Use a supportive, comprehensive, and inclusive approach

• Inclusive and supportive learning environments honor the lived experiences and needs of youth
  • Believe that youth can be trusted, are autonomous, and worthy of honest, shame-free, sex- positive, and inclusive sex education.
  • Do this by:
    • Building relationships
    • Be honest. Be real.
    • Interrogate assumptions.
    • Prepare, don’t scare.
    • Fostering a brave and affirming space for all youth
    • Honor youth knowledge and experiences
    • Affirming their curiosity and questions
      • Encourage others to answer or provide thoughts on personal, feelings, or value-based questions

• Comprehensive sexuality education seeks to equip youth with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values they need to determine and enjoy sexuality – physically and emotionally, individually and in relationships.
  • Covers a broad range of issues: physical, biological, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
  • Gender, sexual and reproductive health, sexual rights, pleasure, consent, violence, diversity, and relationships are some of the essential components of sexuality education.

• Inclusion tips-
  • Understand gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation
    • Be mindful of language
  • Incorporate positive examples of LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and relationships
  • Emphasize the need for protection during sex for people of all identities
  • Dispel myths and stereotypes about behavior and identity
  • Represent and respect for all kinds of bodies

Source- Adolescent Reproductive Health ECHO program

Resources to educate, train, and support you

Professionals and Educators

• SIECUS– Sex education state laws and policies (2020)
• SIECUS- National sex education standards
• Free sex education curriculum, videos, and materials
  • Adolescent Health Working group-
  • The P conversation- offered in multiple languages*
  • Amaze-
  • The Center for Sex Education–
  • Advocates for Youth–
  • Unhushed- provides curriculum from K-12
  • Echo Colorado
  • Elevatus– Addresses sexuality with youth with developmental disabilities
• Anteup!– Become a certified sexuality educator

Parents

• Resources that prepare you to have “the talk” with your child
  • Adolescent Health Working group-
  • The P conversation– offered in multiple languages*
  • Amaze-
  • Advocates for Youth–
  • Unhushed-
  • Sex Positive families
  • Gender Spectrum

Youth

• Resources to learn about sex education- by teens, for teens
  • bc4u- Inclusive resource videos about multiple topics
  • Sex, etc.- Inclusive materials and videos about multiple topics
  • Scarleteen– Queer sex education material for teens about sex and pleasure

Reading materials for all-

• You Know, Sex: Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smith
• Sex Is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smith
• How to They/Them by Stuart Gety
• The Every Body Book by Rachel E. Simon
• Let’s Talk About It by Erika Moen and Mathew Nolan
• Trust Kids! by carla joy bergman (editor) and Mat Hern (foreword)
• Sex Positive Talks to Have With Kids by Melissa Carnagey