Forming Attitudes and Beliefs

In today's society, young people see and hear a wide range of attitudes and beliefs about sex and sexuality. These attitudes are often contradictory and confusing. For example, some health messages emphasize the risks and dangers associated with sexual activity while television programs, advertisements, music, and movies often imply that being sexually active makes a person more attractive and mature. Young people are very interested in the moral and cultural basis of sex and sexuality. They often welcome opportunities to talk about issues where people have strong views, such as abortion, sex before marriage, lesbian and gay issues, and contraception and birth control. It is important to remember that talking in a balanced way about differences in opinion does not promote one set of views over another. Part of exploring and understanding cultural, religious, and moral views is finding out that you can agree to disagree.

Of course, sex education teachers have their own beliefs about sex and sexuality, but they should not allow these beliefs to influence their teaching in a negative way. For example, even if a person believes that young people should not have sex until they are married, they still must teach about safe sex and contraception. Rather than trying to stop young people from having sex, effective sex education enables young people to choose whether or not to have a sexual relationship while taking into account the potential risks of any sexual activity.

An effective sex education program

· has a focus on reducing specific risky behaviors;

· has a sound scientific basis;

· has a clear message about sexual behavior and risk reduction;

· provides accurate information about the risks associated with sexual activity,

· contraception and birth control, and methods of avoiding or postponing intercourse;

· provides opportunities to practice communication, negotiation, and assertion skills;

· uses approaches to teaching and learning that are appropriate to young people' age, experience, and cultural background.

3) Find the English equivalents for the following in the text:

тесная связь/близость; правильный, с точки зрения морали; плохое обращение, нежелательная беременность; болезни, передающиеся половым путём; сифилис, ВИЧ, СПИД, договариваться, надёжный источник, сопротивляться (не поддаваться) давлению, принуждение/насилие, предубеждение, аборт, контрацепция, противоречивый, сбивающий с толку, зрелый, безопасный секс, половые сношения, откладывать (отсрочивать).

4) Answer the questions:

1. What skills should be developed in the course of sex education lessons?

2. Should teachers express their own views and beliefs about sex?

3. What should an effective sex education program?

Дата добавления: 2014-12-29