I have often heard it said that there are only two things in life, there are certain; death and taxes. In my life, I have had two more revelations. First is the change inevitable. Secondly, if we pay attention we always find reason to be hopeful, inspiration leads to the next real step and validation, we live with will and do what we are here to do.
Last night while watching the movie, let's talk about Sex, I received exactly as necessary. I love when that happens! I woke up grateful, inspired and energetic at a time when I could very easily become discouraged and frustrated.
Before I get too far into this article, let me tell you where I come from. In the last ten years, I have been teaching comprehensive sexuality education programs starts in elementary school and continues into adulthood. I work with parents to help them better understand teen development and behavior, and improve communication with their children about sexuality and other challenging issues.
I give this film two thumbs. I agree with Hugh Jackman, "whether you have children, teach children or about children above the header ... this movie is a must see." It clearly outlines some key issues to be resolved, if we are to promote healthy attitudes to sexuality while reducing teen and unplanned pregnancy in the United States.
The film highlights the following issues:
~ United States has the highest teenage pregnancy in all the developed countries.
~ Our attitudes to teenage sexuality in the United States is very different than in other developed countries.
~ Sexuality is a tremendous marketing tool; used to sell lots of things in our country and in all types of media. The reality is that sex sells product.
~ Humans are sexual creatures. We are all here because an egg met a sperm. Period Of Time.
~ 80-Five percent of adults in the United States support comprehensive sexuality education for our youth. Science clearly shows that it works. And we do not do this.
~ Religion constitute a major obstacle in the United States for delivery of what we know to be effective; namely, comprehensive sexuality education. At the same time, religious leaders and organizations play a major role in providing new solutions to teenage pregnancy.
~ Even when teens have honest, open relationship with their parents, most teenagers have not been honest with their parents about their sexual activity.
This film outlines clearly the most pressing issues we face to reduce teenage pregnancy in the United States. It reminds me why I am so passionate about my work and clarifies what we can together to prevent us from losing further ground.
It helps to remember that I reflect and share my thoughts about the Let's talk about Sex.
As an educated woman and health professional, I find it astonishing that the United States has the highest teenage pregnancy in all the developed countries. We know what works. We must do it now.
I am amazed that our advertising and media campaigns using sex to sell everything from lipstick to laptop; Yet we live in a society where we are struggling to provide our children with accurate information about their own bodies work and why.
It is ridiculous to 85 percent of us adults in our population supports comprehensive sexuality education for our children, but we are losing ground on this issue, because a small percentage of very verbal and powerful individuals and organisations keep fighting against what we know works, and indeed save our Government billions of dollars each year.
As all this is still engage in sexual behaviour are teenagers, are naturally curious about sex and/or thinking about sex and are afraid or embarrassed to talk about it openly to the people closest to them.
I spend a significant amount of my time helping teens unite the feeling of not being able to talk to their parents about the thinking really what they are really curious about, and they make really to blame. Their guilt borne not those from being sexually active. What they really want is to be able to tell their parents the truth about what they choose and why. Some choose to have the conversation. Some choose to wait to speak with them, We practice often initiate conversation. Some State that they simply cannot for fear their parents will disown them to go against the family's values.
Perhaps the most important issue, as I see it, that seems to beg for so much more attention than we have time or financing with really address correctly, but is perhaps the most important question of all ... love, sound communication and relationship skills. How great would it be to provide a consistent forum and presence to allow kids to get aid to help them understand and deal with all that is happening with them physically and emotionally and learn to grow through it with a great understanding of themselves and others, as well as an appreciation of the miracle that sexuality is and a foundation for healthy respect and connectedness of all levels.
Lately, I have been struggling to identify new funding sources to support this important work, which is in danger. My clinic and outreach program is in NH. We have one of the very lowest teenage pregnancy rates in the United States. We use strategies that have proven effective and endorsed by the national campaign to prevent Teen pregnancy and base all our programs on research-based asset development framework developed by Search Institute called the 40 developmental assets. Rather than having our financing, we should be used as a model for the parts of our country, where the teenage pregnancy rates are high.
Let's talk about Sex did a great job of motivating viewers to take action against becoming a part of the solution! As the credits played, I started brainstorming a list of action steps we can take to help spread the word and increase frequency, reach and scope of the talks, which must be done to make the U.S. Shift to better serve our future generation.
Teenagers in the United States needs your support. It is not enough to say you support comprehensive sexuality education. It's time to take measures to ensure that your children get it! I suggest the following action steps:
~ Watch movie, let's talk about Sex you can buy it on Amazon or stream if free on Netflix by http://www.letstalkaboutsexthefilm.com/to visit
~ Talk about the movie ... with your spouse, your children, your school, district, your community! Check out this Web site, a discussion guide http://www.letstalkaboutsexthefilm.comby.
~ Commit to take measures to create a solution!
~ Find out what your child is learning in school.
~ Evaluate honestly what your child learns from you and if you need support, download it.
~ Start right where you are with your own children and give them effective, comprehensive sex education.
Parents should take an active, consistent and ongoing role to help their children develop an understanding of their bodies and promote healthy sexual decision-making, communication and attitudes that promote healthy relationships for a lifetime.
Trisha works with teenagers, parents and youth serving professionals, one on one, in groups and from a speaking platform for years.
TOP 10 Guide to support and inspire Teens contains ten tips, resources and insight she would like to share to support you in increasing, supporting and inspiring teens to be the best they can be.
Get your free copy http://www.trishajacobson.com/resources.htmlon
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