Lesson Three Benefits of Abstinence

Transcription

1 Unit Two Lesson Three Lesson Overview Students learn about the benefits of remaining abstinent and examine their personal reasons to be abstinent at this point in their life. Key Points Abstinence is the best option for a variety of reasons It s important to examine one s personal reasons for being abstinent Lesson Objectives After completing this lesson, students should be able to: Explain the benefits of abstaining from sexual activity Identify and explain personal reasons to remain abstinent Identify the factors (people, situations, and environ - ment) that will help them remain abstinent. It s helpful to identify the people who will and will not help you stay abstinent Lesson at a Glance Activity Materials Preparation FOCUS: Defining Abstinence LEARN: Sex or Abstinence LEARN: Choosing Abstinence SUMMARIZE: Why Abstinence? Approximate Class Time Flipchart, marker Class discussion 5 minutes Flipchart, marker Class discussion 10 minutes Choosing Abstinence worksheet Abstinence Family Activity worksheet Print/photocopy the Choosing Abstinence worksheet for each student. Print/photocopy the Abstinence Family Activity worksheet for each student. 25 minutes Class discussion Class discussion 5 minutes Education Standards Supported National Family and Consumer Science Standards: Reasoning for Action 1, 3, A National Health Standards: ; , ; , ;

2 3 FOCUS: Defining Abstinence 5 minutes From: ReCAPP: Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Purpose: Students consider the definition of abstinence and reasons for it. Materials: Flipchart Facilitation Steps: 1. Write the word abstinence on flipchart paper, and then ask students to tell you what abstinence means to them. Take a few responses. 2. Ask the class: What are reasons to consider abstinence? Possible answers: protection from STIs, pregnancy, emotional harm, spiritual harm, etc. 3. Ask students if people their age think about sex. Tell them that thinking about sex, having curiosity about sex, and learning about sex from their parents, school and books is normal and healthy. Explain the difference between thinking about sex and actually having sex. Tell the group that most young people their age think about sex, yet most are not having sex. 4. Write down a working definition for abstinence on flipchart paper. ABSTINENCE is avoiding sexual intercourse with another person. Sexual intercourse can be vaginal, oral, or anal. Tell students that we are not including kissing or touching in this definition of abstinence

3 3LEARN: Sex or Abstinence 10 minutes From: ReCAPP: Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Purpose: Students participate in a discussion about why people choose to be sexually active or abstinent. Materials: Flipchart Facilitation Steps: 1. Ask students to tell you some reasons why somebody their age might have sex. Write their answers on flipchart paper. Encourage students to explain their answers. Some reasons might be: feels good in love curious prove manhood/ womanhood bored feel pressured not lose boyfriend/girlfriend want to feel close 2. Ask students to tell you some reasons why somebody their age would choose NOT to have sex. Write their answers on flipchart paper. Encourage students to explain their answers. Some reasons might be: avoid pregnancy religious reasons develop deeper friendship avoid STIs and HIV not ready not to upset parents Separate their answers into two columns. If the group does not come up with many reasons, you may want to add some of the reasons listed above. 3. Tell students that we are now going to work on an activity that will show us the benefits of being abstinent from sexual intercourse

4 3 LEARN: Choosing Abstinence 25 minutes From: ReCAPP: Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Purpose: Students complete a worksheet that helps them think about personal reasons why and ways to help them be abstinent. Materials: Choosing Abstinence worksheet Abstinence Family Activity worksheet Facilitation Steps: 1. Distribute the Choosing Abstinence worksheet. Use the directions below to explain how to complete the worksheet. Inside the circle, ask students to write a personal goal. Remind them of the goals they set in a previous session. In the space above the circle, ask them to write reasons why they don t want to have sex. In the space above and to the left of the circle, ask them to write things that help them stay abstinent. In the space above and to the right of the circle, ask them to write things that might make them want to have sex now or in the next few years. In the space below and to the left of the circle, ask them to write the names of people who support them in remaining abstinent. In the space below and to the right of the circle, ask them to write the names of people who might pressure them to have sex now or in the future. 2. Ask students to complete the worksheet individually. Tell them that they will share only the things they feel comfortable discussing later with a partner. 3. After five minutes, ask everyone to find a partner. Tell pairs to only share answers that they feel comfortable sharing. They will have three to five minutes to share with their partners. 4. Reconvene the group and facilitate a discussion using the following questions: Did you and your partner have similar answers? Which ones were the same? Were there any items that you did not feel comfortable discussing with your partner? Which ones? How would having sex affect the accomplishment of your goals? What are some ways to show affection to someone you may have romantic feelings for? If somebody your age wanted to have sex, what would you tell him or her? Do you think abstinence is a realistic option for young people? 5. Pass out the Abstinence Family Activity worksheet and ask students to complete it with their parents

5 Choosing To Be Abstinent Unit Two Lesson Three Name Class I don t want to have sex at this point in my life because: _ Things that help me stay abstinent: Things that might make me want to have sex now or in the next few years: Personal Goal: People who help me stay abstinent: People who might pressure me to have sex now or in the next few years:

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7 Abstinence Family Activity Unit Two Lesson Three Name Class 1. Show your parent, guardian, faith leader or other trusted adult the Choosing to be Abstinent worksheet you completed during the class session. Explain what you wrote and ask what he or she thinks of the worksheet. Write their responses here: 2. Ask your parent/guardian to tell you three good things about waiting to have to sex. Write their responses here: 3. Ask your parent/guardian to give you three suggestions on how you can remain abstinent. Write their responses here: Self-control is the ability to follow rules that you set for yourself in order to succeed in life. Self control is a sign of maturity, responsibility, respect for yourself, and respect for others. Choosing sexual abstinence is about making wise, responsible decisions and exercising self control. Do you think teens who control themselves sexually are better able to control themselves and make good decisions in other areas of their lives as well? Explain. Do you think someone who is able to exercise self control is a strong person? Why?

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9 3SUMMARIZE: Why Abstinence? 5 minutes Purpose: Students verbalize important reasons for being abstinent. The teacher summarizes and reinforces the rationale for being abstinent. Materials: Flipchart Facilitation Steps: 1. Ask the group to tell you what they think are the most important reasons for people their age to choose abstinence. Try to get most everyone to participate. Write their responses on flipchart paper. Acknowledge the importance of their reasons. 2. Explain that self-control is the ability to follow rules that you set for yourself in order to succeed in life. Self control is a sign of maturity, responsibility, respect for yourself, and respect for others. Choosing sexual abstinence is about making wise, responsible decision and exercising self control. 3. Summarize by saying that there are good reasons for young people to abstain from sex. Many young people believe in and practice abstinence. Abstinence can be a sign of real emotional maturity. Abstinence eliminates the risk of unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV the virus that causes AIDS. In fact, abstinence from vaginal, anal and oral sex is the only 100% effective means of preventing pregnancy and STIs. Abstaining from sexual intercourse contributes in a positive way to a couple s relationship because it eliminates the pressure and issues that come with sexual activity in a relationship, and frees the couple to spend time pursuing important interests and goals together or separately. It is important to remember that there are people who can support your decision to practice abstinence. 4. Remind students to complete the Abstinence Family Activity worksheet for homework and to return it for discussion during the next class

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