An Abstinence-Based, Comprehensive Sexuality Program That Helps Teens Understand and Make Good Decisions About Their Sexual Health

At a Glance

• Audience: Students in grades 9-12; course can be adapted to fit the individual needs of each school
• Goal: To educate teens about abstinence-based sexuality in order that they understand and make good decisions about their sexual health
• Six-Week Curriculum Fee: $630

Frightening Statistics

• One of three females will be abused, battered or terrorized by her partner
• One of six females will be raped in her lifetime
• One in 10 rape victims is a man or boy
• Between 50 and 80 percent of Americans have oral herpes
• Four of 10 girls will experience at least one pregnancy before reaching age 20
• In the United States, there are 40,000 new HIV infections per year
• At least 50 percent of new HIV infections are estimated to be among those younger than 25

This six-week program for grades 9-12 is taught by a trained BJC health educator and based on Best Practices Sexuality Curricula.

The program addresses:

• Developmental anatomy and physiology
• Understanding puberty
• Myths and facts of sexuality
• Responsible dating
• Relationship respect and abuse
• Pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease education, including HIV/AIDS
• Assertive communication and refusal skills
• Resource and referral information for abuse situations

Show-Me Standards and MAP Skills addressed:

• Consider the viewpoint of others and demonstrate strategies for resisting social problems related to abuse, exploitation or sexual harassment
• Apply problem-solving skills to assess unsafe situations and the potential risks of injuries, and then determine strategies to reduce the risk, including rape, assault, homicide and other personal safety risks
• Recognize that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have signs and symptoms that indicate abnormalities with the reproductive system, and that some have few or no signs or symptoms until the disease has progressed
• Learn that STDs can cause permanent complications, not only for the reproductive system but also for other body systems
• Make reasoned and informed decisions regarding the benefits of abstinence by evaluating information on contraception to determine effectiveness, side effects and potential complications
• Recognize the importance of self-assessment techniques to improve early detection of diseases and treatment options, including breast self-examinations, testicular exams and Pap tests
• Evaluate how HIV/AIDS affects an individual’s personal, social and economic well-being
• Evaluate factors that influence relationships and the impact that relationships have on friendships, dating and marriage
• Analyze physical, social and economic aspects of teen pregnancy
• Learn about the effect upon the adolescent and family