SEXUALITY
Sexuality is not just about sex. It is also how children:
feel about their developing body
make healthy decisions and choices about their own body
understand and express feelings of intimacy, attraction and affection for others
develop and maintain respectful relationships
UNDERSTANDING TEENAGE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL ATTRACTION, SEXUAL IDENTITY AND GENDER IDENTITY
Most teenagers will experiment with sexual behaviour at some stage – this is a normal, natural and powerful urge in these years. But not all teenage relationships include sex. Teenagers are also maturing emotionally and socially. They might want romantic intimacy and ways to express love and affection. And they might be curious and want to explore adult behaviour.
Some teenagers are sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex, some are attracted to people of the same sex, and some are bisexual. Some teenagers might express no sexual interest. Sexual attraction and sexual identity aren’t the same. Young people who are same-sex attracted might or might not identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. They might identify as omnisexual or pansexual.
Sexual attraction is also different from gender identity, which is a person’s sense of who they are – male, female, both, flucuating or neither. Gender identity might or might not be reflected in a young person’s sexual orientation and their choices about romantic or sexual partners.
LESSON 1: LANGUAGE EXERCISE
Draw a table on the board with 4 columns.
Label the columns (Dictionary, Childhood, Polite, Slang/Street) as in the example below.
Using the word 'buttocks' as an example*, ask students to suggest no more than 2 words for buttocks that fall under the other categories: childhood, polite, and slang/street words.
Remind the students they will be encouraged to use 'dictionary' words in class.
Now look up the definition for the word 'elbow'.
See if students can come up with words in each category.
Was there a difference? Discuss.
Examples:
Dictionary: buttocks
Childhood: bum, seat, tush
Polite: backside, demere, bottom
Slang/Street: ass, bum, butt
Dictionary: urinate
Childhood: pee, wee
Polite: going to the bathroom, being excused
Slang/Street: piss, pee, take a leak
*For this exercise be sure to use the more neutral or anatomical words suggested. Please note penis or vagina are the anatomical term but some of the slang/street words may be offensive, and sharing of childhood words may lead to embarrassment or ridicule. Just need to be sensitive or preface these words with caring and respect.
Additional Information
Being familiar with language that they can use in public is important to enhance students' sense of self. Because language is such a powerful tool, it also helps them to develop greater confidence and empowerment.
This activity will help the class learn about different categories of words. It is an activity that can be fun and help students feel more comfortable.
There are a variety of words used for body parts and sexual activities. Some of these words are 'nice', some are 'funny', and some are considered 'rude' or 'disrespectful'. Some students will not know the socially appropriate words or may have learned only slang. Students need to know what words they can use in class and also understand why some language is unacceptable.
It is important to acknowledge that we might have learned different words, and that’s okay – it is helpful to know the words that medical practitioners might use. It is important that students not feel ashamed for their prior sexual health knowledge.
Some students (i.e., trans* or intersex students) may not identify with the dictionary terms.
Using dictionary words in class will familiarize students with the anatomical names for body parts.