TEEN TABOOS
PROGRAMME 3: AM I NORMAL?
ACTIVITIES
Before viewing
Introduce the theme of the session – the genital area. You could lead a discussion as to why this is a taboo. What influences us to feel this way and how young does this start?
Review the group agreement from earlier sessions (see Programme 1: Activities). Check it is still working. Remind students about appropriate language, for example, using 'proper' names for genitals, etc. Remember you can refer back to the group agreement at any time.
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.
Self-confidence
Clip 1: 04:18 – 05:21
- Opens with the narrator saying, 'Jay is 19, loves going out, and is really confident talking to girls.'
- Closes with Jay saying, 'I just realised it didn't matter at all.'
Jay tells how he was teased when a rumour got out and was quickly spread round the school.
How do you think this might have affected someone with less self-confidence than Jay? Think about how rumours get started and often 'grow legs' as they pass from person to person. Is it fair to participate in this kind of behaviour? Investigate some of the possible outcomes for people who are teased at school, particularly about something that should remain private to them.
Unrealistic images
Clip 2: 11:55 – 13:29
- Opens with Ellie saying, 'I think 'cos people don't often look at it that much, the vagina…'
- Closes with Dr Jane Gilbert saying, 'All of those things are normal, and all of those things girls worry about.'
Many people's first look at female genitals is either a clinical diagram in a text book or in magazines portraying unrealistic images. This is part of the wider media habit of showing 'perfect' male and female specimens.
Think about how TV, magazines, movies, music videos, etc, portray women. What effect do you think this might have on teenage girls? Do you think it also affects teenage boys, in terms of expectations? You could also consider how men are often portrayed (strong, unemotional, sporty, etc) and use magazines to find examples. Ask students to critically assess what they see in the media, rather than simply accept it.
It's all normal!
Clip 3: 22:32 – 24:22
- Opens with the narrator saying, 'The art students have decided to expose themselves to the public.'
- Closes with Imogen saying, 'You're just like everyone else.'
The programme finishes by suggesting that if genitals were less of a taboo subject, we might all feel more secure about our own.
Ask students to think about their own body image. They could produce a self-portrait (clothed if preferred), or take a photo, then label three things they like about their physical appearance and write down three things that are unique about their personality.
