What is sexual self-advocacy and why is it important?
Sexual self-advocacy is the ability to communicate and assert your sexual desires and needs in a way that is respectful of yourself and others. Sexual self-advocacy is important for everyone, but it can be especially important for people who are marginalized or discriminated against, such as people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and teens from low-income families.
It includes the right to:
Sexual self-advocacy provides an individual with the freedom of choice to engage in a romantic sexual relationship with another consenting adult. In order to make healthy choices the individual must first be informed. Too often people with disabilities are treated like children who do not have sexual desires and are not seen as sexual beings. They are excluded from age-appropriate health education classes that teach about sexuality. They are not provided with correct information about their bodies and sex. And they may be prevented from having a healthy sexual relationship with another person.
Sexuality education is important for ALL teens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It can help teens to make informed decisions about their sexual health and well-being and to build healthy relationships.
There are many reasons why it is important to teach sexuality education to all teenagers. Sexuality education can help teens to:
Sexuality education is not just about sex. It is also about teaching teens about their bodies, their rights, and their responsibilities. It is about helping them to develop the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy choices about their sexual health and well-being.
Here are some specific benefits of sexuality education for teens:
Sex Positive Sexuality Education
Sex-positive sex education is taught in a way that is non-judgmental and inclusive. It challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes, recognizes that sexuality and sexual development are natural, normal, and healthy parts of our lives, and refrains from using shame and fear to motivate students to be abstinent, and it affirms the right of everyone to express their sexuality in a way that is safe and healthy.
Research has shown that sex-positive sex education is effective in reducing risky sexual behaviors and promoting healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors. It can also help to prevent sexual violence and abuse.
Many parents may find the topic of sexuality uncomfortable to talk about. We may believe that by discussing sex, we are offering permission for our kids to engage in unsafe sexual activity. This could not be further from the truth. When parents increase their own knowledge about sexuality, and we become more comfortable talking to our kids about sex, we are directly supporting our children's sexual self-advocacy to make healthy choices as they explore their normal sexual feelings and desires.
Everyone is entitled to receive correct information about their bodies using medically accurate terms. They should receive appropriate sexuality education that is age-appropriate. They deserve the right to explore their sexuality, their sexual orientation, their gender identity, and enjoy sexual pleasure without judgment or criticism. Sexuality education should be sex-positive and trauma-informed.
Trauma-informed Sexuality Education
Trauma-informed sexuality education is an approach to sex education that takes into account the impact of trauma on people's sexual development and experiences. It is based on the understanding that trauma can have a profound impact on people's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, including their sexuality.
Trauma-informed sexuality education aims to create a safe and supportive learning environment where people can learn about sex and sexuality in a way that is empowering and respectful. It focuses on teaching people about their bodies, their rights, and their options, and it helps them to develop the skills they need to make healthy choices about their sexuality.
Courses and Workshops
We offer individual and small group courses in Healthy Relationships and Human Sexuality for Teens and Young Adults. We also provide parent workshops and parent training to support parents and caregivers in this difficult topic and to teach strategies to communicate about sexuality with their children.