Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical - ETR Associates

Activity 8-1Description of ActivityObjectives: Students will be able to:Clarify or create their own sexual limitsRisk and Protective Factors Affected:Intentions to avoid unprotected sexCreating Personal Sexual LimitsActivity:Students view stories or videos of young people who were unsure about what they wanted to door not do sexually and then had sexual intercourse that they regretted, perhaps because they weresorry they had sexual intercourse or perhaps because they got pregnant or contracted an STD. Thus,they understand the importance of being clear about what they want to do and not do sexually.As a group, students brainstorm possible limits involving relationships and sexual behavior thatstudents might have—e.g., holding hands and kissing, but nothing further. Students are remindedthat the safest choice is to not engage in sexual intercourse and that, if they do, they should alwaysuse effective protection against pregnancy and STD.Students then individually review the risks of unprotected sexual intercourse, their values andattitudes about sexual activity, their parents’ values, their peers’ norms, and their goals, and makea clear decision about what they will and will not do sexually. Students make this decision concreteby either drawing a line in a list of progressively more risky sexual behaviors that is given them (withtheir own line separating what they would and would not do sexually) or by writing a pledge tothemselves to stick to their chosen limit.Students are encouraged to tell their friends what their limits are, so that their friends can supportthem in keeping these limits. Telling their friends their limits also strengthens their intentions.Important Considerations in Using ItThis activity is often completed near the end of the course when students can review all that theyhave learned during the course, select their personal limits, and make a commitment to them.References for Lessons That Describe a Similar Activity More Fully1. Becoming a Responsible Teen, Session 1, Activity 5: Deciding Your Level of Risk2. Safer Choices, Level 1, Class 10, Activity 3: Closure—What You Can Do3. Safer Choices, Level 2, Class 5, Activity 2: Avoiding UNSAFE Choice4. Safer Choices, Level 2, Class 5, Activity 3: Analyzing the Situation104 Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical Guide for Developing and Adapting Curriculum-Based Programs