Fundamentals of Human Growth and Development - Alexandria City ...

Sexual Ethics
1. Have students write private, individual definitions of love.
2. Have volunteers share definitions with class or collect and read all anonymously.
3. Deliver brief explanation of types of love: eros, philos, and agape.
4. Define “intimacy” together. Be sure to include ideas of offering and being offered love,
understanding, closeness, acceptance and a sense of being valued emotionally, physically,
intellectually, spiritually and sexually.
5. Write on the board some of the recurring words in the love definitions and intimacy
discussion.
6. Divide class into groups of three or four. Have each group compile a list under the title
“Characteristics of a Healthy, Loving Intimate Relationship” (Assign a writer and a
speaker for each group or have groups elect their own.)
7. Reconvene as a group and have groups read list as teacher compiles master list on board.
8. Explain the concepts of “ethics” and “sexual ethics.”
9. Referring to the definitions of love and intimacy and the list of characteristics of a
healthy relationship, have students write their own PERSONAL CODE OF SEXUAL
ETHICS. They may find it easiest to use a Ten Commandments-type format…a list of
ten statements beginning with “I will” and “I will not.”
Sample Characteristics of a Healthy, Loving Relationship:
Voluntary Affectionate Respectful
Open hearted Mutual Forgiving
Nurturing Compatible Empathetic
Interesting Responsible Honest
Warm Rewarding Loyal
Communicative Trusting Affectionate
Emotionally satisfying Humorous Fulfilling
Safe Pleasurable Generous
Tender Fun Consistent with values
Committed Caring Kind
Adulthood Unit 17