Eighth Grade Sexuality Education

At Chester Academy

 

          SEICUS, Sexuality Education Information Council of the United States, is a nonprofit organization that helps parents and professionals provide sexuality education to children.

 

            The following is taken from their websites www.seicus.org and www.familiesaretalking.org

              

Sexuality Education is a lifelong process that begins at birth.  It covers a range of topics—including human development, relationships, communication skills, sexual behavior, and sexual health—in an effort to provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed and responsible decisions about their health and lives.  While young people may receive sexuality education outside of the home, parents and caregivers have the opportunity to be their kids’ first sexuality educators.  Today’s youth are bombarded with messages about sexuality everyday from television and movies to music and advertising and radio.  They also learn from health and education professionals, religious leaders, community and group leaders, family members, and their peers.  Your kids want to hear from you about sexuality issues.  Make it a point to share your values and beliefs with them. (2003,http://www.familiesaretalking.org)

 

 

            Chester Academy uses an abstinence-based sexuality curriculum called Sex Can Wait which is designed especially for the middle school level.  It is divided into three areas: Knowing Myself, Relating to Others, and Planning My Future.  This program teaches students life skills that involve respect for self and others, making good decisions, communicating clearly, and understanding how today’s behavior can influence future goals.

 

           

 

 

 

Developmental Tasks of Adolescence

• Accept your body and its characteristics.
• Become more independent of parents and other adults for your emotional health.
• Gain a masculine or feminine view of yourself.
• Form more mature relationships with people of both sexes.
• Learn more about who you are.
• Develop a set of your own values.
• Get ready for marriage and family as an adult.
• Learn how to solve problems in an adult way.
• Develop an interest in and a concern for your community.