The American School of Paris: HOME: Sexual Health

Sexual Health

SEXUAL HEALTH

Intro

While we hope you use some of the themes covered in the Practical Guide to Love, Sex, And Relationships, you are free to choose any topic of relevance.

Length: You will have 5 sessions to complete and present the project

Format: A Sexual Health Fair

Tools: Computer, cardboard, accessories, posters, etc.

Guests: The nurse, 8th grade students, admin and teachers

Resources

Click on the images to link.

Scarleteen: Sex for the real world is an independent, grassroots sexuality and relationships education and support organization and website.

Information on women's health and sexuality from renowned Our Bodies Ourselves

Amaze.org has created a ton of fun videos. Check their channel.

A FEW TITLES FROM THE LIBRARY

S. E. X. , Second Edition by Heather Corinna
Call Number: 613.9071 COR
ISBN: 9780738218847
Publication Date: 2016-07-12
As a teen or emerging adult, dealing with all the changes going on in your life, body, and mind can be mighty overwhelming. When it comes to sex, everyone seems to have strong feelings and opinions about who you should be and what you should (shouldn't) do. How do you decide who to listen to? Heather Corinna and Scarleteen have provided sex education and information to millions of young people, parents, and mentors since 1998 S.E.X tackles all the big topics:Self-image and how to find and claim your own sexual selfHow to best protect and support your sexual and emotional healthSorting out gender and sexual identities, even when they're complicated and confusingThe latest on contraceptive methods and other reproductive choices, sexually transmitted infections, and safer sexFinding, creating, and managing healthy and happy relationshipsHow to set and respect limits and boundaries, and rock consentIdentifying, preventing, or healing from abuse or assault...and much more.Whatever your gender or sexual identity, whether you've already been actively exploring your sexuality or are only just getting curious, S.E.X clearly spells out what you need and want to know,no shame, no judgement, just comprehensive and accurate info in a clear, straightforward language.
Sexploitation by Cindy Pierce
Call Number: PRO 649.65
ISBN: 9781629560892
Publication Date: 2015-11-05
As surprising as it may be to parents, young people today are immersed in porn culture everywhere they look. Through Internet porn, gaming, social media, marketing, and advertising, kids today have a much broader view of social and sexual possibilities, which makes it difficult for them to establish appropriate expectations or to feel adequate in their own sexuality. Even more important, no one is talking to kids directly about the problem. Parents tend to convince themselves that their children are immune to cultural influences, wait until it comes up, or hope schools and pediatricians will address the issues. Educators and doctors may be able to start the conversation but it is fundamentally a parent's job to provide information about sex and relationships early and often to help young people find their way through their social and sexual lives. Delaying the necessary but awkward conversations with their kids leaves them vulnerable. The media, marketers, and porn and gaming industries are eager to step in anywhere parents choose to hold back. Sexploitation exposes the truth to parents, kids, educators, and the medical profession about the seen and unseen influences affecting children, inspiring parents to take the role as the primary sexuality educator. With more information, parents will gain conviction to discuss and develop values, expectations, boundaries, and rules with their kids. Kids who enter their teens with accurate information and truths stand a better chance of developing an "inner compass" when it comes to sex and relationships, which sets them up for a healthy adulthood. In her comic and straightforward style, Pierce brings together the latest research with anecdotal stories shared with her by high school and college students in the thick of it. Above all else, her goal is to get people to develop more comfort around those difficult conversations so that kids gain more confidence and courage about drawing boundaries based on their own values not those put upon them.
Would I Have Sexted Back in The 80's? by Allison Ochs
Call Number: 649.1 OCH
ISBN: 9789463721912
Publication Date: 2019-01-07
Since smartphones have made their debut, a clear sense of frustration can be felt by parents around the globe. Be it social media, bullying, porn, gaming, tv-series or sexting; parents are overwhelmed or insecure as they struggle to keep up with the yet newest app.Drawing on stories from her past, Allison Ochs reminds us of what it was like to be a teen. She makes you smile while making fun of her teen self. Her answers to today's problems are realistic ways to approach your teens who are dealing with the same emotions we had, however, now with their ever-present digital devices in hand. The simplicity of what she suggests will enlighten you as she gently nudges you to think about how you're dealing with the your teens online world.
A Guide to Gender (2nd Edition) by Sam Killermann (Illustrator)
Call Number: 305 KIL
ISBN: 9780989760249
Publication Date: 2017-03-15
Where do we start, when it comes to learning about something that's everywhere, infused into everything, and is often one of the primary lenses through which we see ourselves and others? When it comes to understanding gender, it's best to begin with deep breath, then with section one of this book by social justice advocate Sam Killermann, who uses clear language, helpful examples, and a bit of humor to help the medicine go down. This book is not overwhelming, it's not overly complicated, and it's not exhausting to read. It is a few hundred pages of gender exploration, social justice how-tos, practical resources, and fun graphics & comics. Sam dissects gender using a comprehensive, non-binary toolkit, with a focus on making this subject accessible and enjoyable. All this to help you understand something that is so commonly misunderstood, but something we all think we get: gender. A Guide to Gender is broken into four sections:Basic Training (which sets the foundation of knowledge for the book, defining concepts of social justice, oppression, privilege, and more);Breaking through the Binary (beginning with a discussion of gender norms, and working toward a more nuanced understanding of gender identity, gender expression, and sex);Feminism & Gender Equity (how feminism can be a solution to the injustices folks of all genders face); andSocial Justice Competence (a series of short, practical lessons that will help readers put the learning from the book to work). It's written for people who want to learn for themselves, educators who are hoping to better communicate themes of gender to others, and activists who want to add a gender equity lens to their vision of justice. Gender is something we all deserve to understand.
Doing It Right by Bronwen Pardes
Call Number: 306.7083 PAR
ISBN: 9781416918233
Publication Date: 2007-03-06
Enjoy responsibly.Sex. Sometimes it feels like everybody's doing it. Maybe you are. Maybe you're thinking about it. Maybe it's years away. Whatever.You need to be ready -- in your head, and down there. You have to know the right stuff in order to do it.Got questions? Who doesn't. "The Sex Lady" will break it down for you. Does size matter? How do you prevent STDs? What birth control options are there? If someone says they're a virgin, what does that mean? Am I ready? Am I normal?The more you know, the easier it is to make safe -- and smart -- decisions about sex.

1st TIER KEYWORDS
(the main elements of your topic)

abortion
adolescents, teenagers
france, "united states

2nd TIER KEYWORDS
(words that will help refine your search and focus on your specific topic.

“abortion surveillance”
legislation, law, regulations
roe wade
facts, statistics, rate, study, research
perception, behavior, impact, legacy
education, controversy
correlation, psychology, society, culture
rights, challenges, acceptance, “parental consent”

EXAMPLES OF SEARCH QUERIES

In Google:

[and]   Implicit, you don’t have to write it      “sex ed” controversy
[or]      Is capitalised [OR]                             program OR curriculum
[not]    Is the minus sign [-]                           “sex ed” program -abstinence

consent teenagers OR adolescents france law OR legislation

"parental consent" abortion controversy

"sexual offenses" penalties OR legislation "united states"

"sex education" pros cons

Topics

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Sexual health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.

BE SPECIFIC AND TRY TO RELATE EVERYTHING TO TEENAGERS (INFO, STATS)

Relationships

What does”being in a relationship” mean? What is a healthy relationship? What are the different forms of relationships such as emotional, physical, asexual, fluid, polyamorous, monogamous,etc. What are the expectations regarding sex? Does sex necessarily have to be part of a relationship?

Readiness and First time

How do you know you’re ready for a sexual relationship? What constitutes "having sex"? How do you know you’re not pushed into it? What is the average age teens have their first sexual relationship? How do you deal with your and your partner’s needs and wants. Coping with pressure: partner, friends, family, religion, values, the media...

Sexual Diversity

What is the experience of LGBTI teenagers in schools? How can we, as individuals and as a community, do a better job at understanding, accepting and helping teens who are same sex attracted?

The age of consent (the age where you can legally have a sexual relationship)

What does the law say about sexual relationships among minors? You may compare a couple of countries, France and the USA, for ex. What does the recent law in France say? Why is having a law important?

Consent / Harassment

How does consent work? What is the legal meaning of “consent”? How have Weinstein and #metoo changed the paradigms ? How does it affect flirting, courtship and dating?

Sexual offenses

What are the different kinds of sexual offenses in France and in the USA and what are the penalties for them, e.g., Sexting, rape, harassing, groping, harassment, porn revenge, sexual misconduct…

Sex education in schools

What is the debate regarding sex ed in schools? Explain the different programs such as abstinence and “comprehensive sexuality education”. How should sex ed be taught? Reflect on the place of LGBTQ in sex ed. programs. And if the media is not “abstinence only” should sex education be? (a 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement)

Is sex education in schools necessary? Here is a 2008 report posted on mediasmart that questions the need for sex ed in the age of the Internet. Is it still relevant today?

Birth control / Pregnancy

What are the most common types of birth control for men and women? Do they prevent STDs? Find stats for teens. Discuss the issue of responsibility, etc. Planned and unplanned pregnancies, and the consequences for teenagers.

Abortion
Should teens need parental consent? Comment on the change of directions the United States has taken on abortion lately.

Double standards. Equality

What are the most common double standards for boys and girls? Why is this? How can we change mentalities and kill stereotypes? Are there examples of changes happening?

The (hyper-)sexualisation of Youth

Explain why today’s youth seems to be more sexualised at a younger age. What do you thing of the potential impact of France's ban on child beauty pageants?

This website from the Canadian Women's Health Network provides a wealth of information on the topic.

STIs

Present and discuss the most prevalent STIs and how to prevent them. Why are some of them making a strong come back (Chlamydia, for example)? What should we know? How can we learn about them? How do we get tested? Support your findings with statistics.

Pornography
What are the challenges of having early access to pornography? How do you differentiate between porn and "real sex"?