Grade 9 Healthy Sexual Relationships

Sexuality Review

Question / T/F
1. Once a month, an ovary releases an egg that travels through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. This is called ovulation.
2. When boys mature sexually, they begin producing sperm cells about once a month.
3. At puberty, boys may experience erections at unpredictable times.
4. Fertilization occurs when an egg and sperm unite.
5. A wet dream is a signal that the boy is now producing sperm.
6. If a girl is not menstruating by the time she is 14, there is something wrong with her.
7. If a person has a question about sex, the best place to get an answer is from a friend.
8. The penis is composed of bone, spongy tissue, many small blood vessels and nerves.
9. Exercise is bad for a girl during her period.
10. During menstruation, a girl’s body sheds the thick, blood-filled lining of the uterus.
11. There is a relationship between the size of the penis and sexual prowess.
12. Adolescence is the time when many gay and lesbian youth become more aware of their sexual orientation.
13. It is common for a girl to have one breast slightly larger than the other.
14. Menstruation usually occurs twice a month.
15. In a boy, one testicle may be larger than the other.
16. The fluid released from the penis during ejaculation is made up of sperm & urine.
17. Some degree of temporary breast development is common among adolescent boys.
18. During puberty, a girl may notice some discharge from her vagina.

[Reprinted with permission from "Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Support: Grades K-10", OPHEA (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association), Toronto, 2000, Grade 9 resource, Module 1, p.13].

Sexuality in Adolescence

1. Which factors influence teens to be interested in sexuality?

2. Which of the above factors would you NOT want to have influencing your decisions about sexual activity?

3. What are some reasons that many teens choose to remain abstinent?

Factors that Lead to Responsible Sexual Relationships

1. good education about sex, sexuality, STIs and teen pregnancy
2. positive self-esteem
3. have activities and hobbies to fill their life (other priorities)
4. open communication with parents, partner, peers
5. self-respect
6. know what alternatives they have to sexual intercourse (i.e., touching, kissing, etc.)
7. access to contraception (comfort level while going to get it)
8. understanding of what makes up a healthy relationship
9. knowing good strategies for problem-solving
10. knowing how to say “no”
11. knowing how to communicate openly and honestly with your partner
12. knowing how to be assertive in a relationship
13. knowing what you are comfortable with
14. assertive communication style with your partner

[Adapted with permission from "Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum Support: Grades K-10", OPHEA (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association), Toronto, 2000, Grade 9 resource, Module 1, p.38].

STIs - True or False

Question / T/F
1. It is not possible to get an STI if you have oral sex.
2. There is no cure for genital Herpes.
3. You are at risk of catching an STI if you have a new sex partner.
4. Saliva cannot spread an STI.
5. Infected women who are pregnant can pass on STIs to their babies during pregnancy and childbirth.
6. The best way to avoid getting an STI is abstinence.
7. Lambskin condoms are more effective than latex condoms for preventing STIs.
8. Anal sex is a high risk activity for getting an STI.
9. Sharing needles for tattooing can transmit STIs.
10. Researchers have recently found a new cure for HIV.
11. Same sex couples cannot catch STIs.
12. HPV (human papilloma virus) or genital warts can be cured.
13. STIs are usually spread through intercourse because the bacteria or viruses travel in semen, vaginal fluid and blood.

STIs...What You Need to Know

STI / Description/ Symptoms / Treatment or Cure
1. Chlamydia
2. Genital Herpes
3. Genital Warts (HPV)
4. Gonorrhea
5. Hepatitis A
6. Hepatitis B
7. Hepatitis C
8. HIV
9. Trichomonas Vaginitis
10. Molluscum Contagiosum
11. Bacterial Vaginosis
12. Syphilis

Birth Control Quiz

Question / T / F
1. A woman can become pregnant during her menstrual period.
2. The Pill is an effective method of birth control as soon as you start to take it orally.
3. It is safe for a young woman to have intercourse without birth control in the days just prior to her period.
4. A condom should be put on just prior to ejaculation.
5. Pregnancy can occur the first time a couple has intercourse.
6. Spermicidal foam and condoms used together are an effective means of birth control.
7. Saying “no” (abstinence) is the best (most effective) method of birth control.
8. There are some birth control methods that are 100% effective.
9. Girls who haven’t started their period cannot get pregnant.
10. A diaphragm must be placed in the vagina immediately before intercourse and must be removed immediately afterwards.
11. Both birth control pills and condoms must be used before their expiry dates.
12. Depo Provera is the only chemical/hormonal method of birth control.
13. Norplant contraceptive is a permanent method of birth control.
14. The ECP (emergency contraceptive pill) is a highly effective form of birth control that should be used on a regular basis.
15. The female condom could be used instead of the male condom if one of the partners is allergic to latex.

Birth Control Methods

Method / Description / Side Effects / Cons / Effectiveness / Availability
Abstinence
Male Condom
Female Condom
Diaphragm
The Pill
The Patch (Evra)
ECP

Negotiation/Delay/Refusal Skills

There are many ways to say “no” to pressure from a dating partner or peer. Some of the ways to do this are listed and explained below:

1. Giving a reason or excuse
”Come on, let’s have sex...it will be so much fun.”
“I am going to wait until I get married.”

2. Walk away
“Why don’t we go upstairs instead of going back in to the party?”
I’m actually having a lot of fun at the party,” and walk away while saying it.

3. Avoiding the situation
If you know or see places where you have the opportunity to be alone with the person in a situation where you will be put under pressure, stay away from those places and go somewhere else.

4. Changing the subject
“Let’s go upstairs so we can be alone.”
“But, I’m having so much fun! Let’s stay and hang out with friends.”

5. Discuss the consequences
“Don’t worry; if you get pregnant, I’ll marry you.”
”I am worried. I don’t want to be married at this age.”

6. Reverse the pressure
If someone is pressuring you, reverse the pressure.
“I don’t have to do things just to fit in....do you?”

7. Separate the person and the activity
Let the person know that you care about him/her but feel uncomfortable with the activity.
“Just because I’m not ready to have sex with you doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”

8. Honest and confident
Be honest and confident about how you feel.
“At this time in my life, I’m not ready to have sex.”

9. Delay the activity
Know ahead of time how you feel about sexual activities and how far you are prepared to go. If you are unsure, then delay your decision until you have had more time to think about it.
“Not now, I’m not ready. I have to give this more thought.”

Sexuality Rights and Responsibilities

What are my RIGHTS in terms of:

a) Who I choose as a sexual partner?

b) When I’m sexual?

c) What kinds of sexual activities I do?

d) Changing my mind about what I’m comfortable doing sexually?

What are my RESPONSIBILITIES in terms of:

a) Pregnancy prevention?

b) STI prevention?

c) Knowing what my sexual partner is comfortable doing sexually?

d) Handling a situation in which I want to be more sexual than the other person?

e) Talking with my friends about something sexual I did with another person?