Program Title: Teens and Sex

Program History: The Teens and Sex program was developed by the National Adolescent Foundation located in Washington DC in 1998. The program was developed after receiving positive responses to several of the sessions (described in the Table of Contents) from high school teachers in several Dallas, TX school districts. Teachers reported that the sessions were easy to use and well received by students.

The Teens and Sex program has been selected by one of the school districts in North Carolina for implementation with 9th grade students. The school district is in an urban area and has large African American and White populations. The program will be taught by health education teachers who have all taught health education courses to this grade level in the past.

Teens and Sex is an eight-session program with each session lasting about 90 minutes. Because the overall health education curriculum for 9th graders is quite comprehensive in this school district, teachers will only be able to teach six of the eight Teens and Sex sessions. In fact, teachers are concerned about having to incorporate this new program in an already packed semester.

Program Goal: The overall goal of the Teens and Sex Program is to instill a healthy sense of sexuality in high school-aged youth.

Session 1: Puberty

In the session, students will learn about the biological and physical changes of puberty. Lecture and a video will be used to teach this session.

Session 2: Self-Esteem

In this session, students will learn about how self-esteem is defined and what can build or weaken self-esteem in teenagers. Lecture and a "Self-Esteem Inventory" worksheet will be used to teach this session.

Session 3: Abstinence

In this session, students will learn about the benefits of abstinence. Lecture and a video about the plight of three young people who contracted STDs from sexual intercourse will be used to teach this session.

Session 4: Setting Goals for the Future

In this session, students will complete a "This is My Future" worksheet.

Session 5: Sexual Decision Making

Session 6: Relationships

In this session, students will review the characteristics of a healthy and an abusive relationship. Lecture and a "Relationship Assessment" worksheet will be applied to several couples described in a handout.

Session 7: Refusal Skills

In this session, students will learn the four steps in making a refusal to sex. Lecture and teacher demonstration will be used.

Session 8: Talking to Parents About Sex

In this session, students will learn about the importance of talking about sex with their parents. They will view a video with young people like themselves talking to parents about sexual issues.