TEEN TABOOS

PROGRAMME 1: THE BIG 'O'

ACTIVITIES

Before viewing

Introduce the idea of 'teen taboos' and agree on a set of ground rules for the session, with contributions from the students about acceptable behaviour. It is important to agree on appropriate language and to talk about taking responsibility for how much you choose to share, or not. Young people can participate just by listening if they wish. Discuss respect for other people's views and the issue of confidentiality.

It may be useful to refer back to previous sex and relationships sessions, and ask the students to think about subjects that were difficult to talk about. Alternatively, you could ask them to write down what they consider to be taboos and place them anonymously in a container. You can then select any topics that are relevant to the programme the young people are about to watch, or indeed decide to address all the topics that are suggested over the course of the series.

After viewing

To view 4Learning video clips you will need Windows XP/2000 and Windows Media Player 9, 10 or 11. Unfortunately, the clips are not supported on Macintosh computers.

The video clips may contain a few seconds of extra material at the beginning and end. We have therefore included opening and closing descriptions to help identify the intended scene.

Different for girls?
Clip 1: 05:13 – 07:25

• Opens with the narrator saying, 'Kirsty and her friends Kayleigh and Chanice are certainly not comfortable with the idea of masturbation.'
• Closes with Dr Jane saying, 'It's almost a sort of badge of honour.'

Kirsty and her friends feel that masturbation is not as natural for girls and that they could never admit to having done it themselves. Lead a discussion on this. Why is masturbation seen as less acceptable for girls than it is for boys? Is there something of a double standard here perhaps? What do you think has influenced Kirsty, Kayleigh and Chanice's views?

What do you think of the radio programme aiming to provide advice to young people on sexual health and relationships? Where can young people in your area go for this kind of support? What do you think might be the benefits of talking more openly about subjects like masturbation?

Confidence and maturity
Clip 2: 09:02 – 10:15

• Opens with the narrator saying, 'Amy is the only one of her school friends who happily admits to masturbating.'
• Closes with Amy saying, 'I feel a bit more adult and I can do these things.'

Amy and her friends talk about confidence and she feels people have no right to judge her. She feels that once she is 18, she will be more of a grown-up and as such should be allowed to be in control of her sexuality.

Ask students to think about the teenage years, 13 to 19. What are the key changes that young people go through during this time? Categorise these changes under physical, emotional and social changes. Is Amy right to think that reaching the milestone of 18 affords her more respect? Is she indeed more in control of her life and her sexual behaviour? You might suggest that although young people may be ready physically for certain things quite soon, emotional maturity is something that takes longer. Also, whilst sexual activity with a partner is more suited to the latter end of the teenage years, masturbation might come sooner.

Stressed to the max!
Clip 3: 13:12 – 13:58

• Opens with Dr Pacey saying, 'Masturbation is a short term fix for stress.'
• Closes with Jen saying, Wow! It's like a whole new world!'

Dr Pacey talks about the beneficial aspects of masturbation, particularly for stress-relieving purposes. Exam time is commonly very stressful for young people, but masturbation is only one way to relieve stress.

Ask the students to think about times of stress at school, home, socially, during sporting activity, etc. They could produce a leaflet or set of tips about ways to avoid stress, methods for managing it, and ideas for relaxing activities. The results could be shared with other students, particularly if they focus on ways to combat exam stress.