TEEN TABOOS
PROGRAMME 4: THE CONDOM QUESTION
ACTIVITIES
Before viewing
As with previous programmes in this series, it is suggested that you work with a group agreement, made with the young people, which lists appropriate behaviour and language, and can be displayed and referred to throughout (see Programme 1: Activities). Introduce the issue of condom use to students and reinforce the safe sex message.
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.
Video clips will be available on the site shortly.
In love
Clip 1: 03:11 – 04:17
- Opens with the narrator saying, 'Emily and Xan are 17 and in love.'
- Closes with Xan saying, 'It was very embarrassing.'
Emily and Xan are in love, and were together for six months before they had sex.
Think about what being 'in love' means. Students could make a spider diagram with the word 'love' in the middle, and brainstorm ideas about what being in love entails (for example, trust, caring for the person, being able to discuss things). Lead a discussion about how being in love might make sexual activity more meaningful, as it did for Emily and Xan. What are the advantages of being in a relationship, as opposed to just having a one-night stand? How does Emily and Xan's relationship illustrate those benefits?
The influence of alcohol
Clip 2: 06:26 – 07:18
- Opens with the narrator saying, 'At the condom factory, the teenagers have a host of excuses not to use condoms.'
- Closes with Josie saying, 'And trust me, it's not nice when you're sitting there waiting for the test results to come back.'
The issue of alcohol is raised, and it is clear that being drunk is not conducive to remembering the principles of safe sex.
Investigate the physical effects of alcohol on the body. How might it affect our ability to think ahead and act safely and responsibly? Remind students of Josie's story and the possible consequences of not using a condom.
There have been some televised adverts recently reminding young people about the need to drink responsibly. Talk about whether they are getting the message across? If not, what might work better? Do young people have to have a bad experience before they can appreciate the need to take precautions? Students could make a poster to promote sensible alcohol consumption and the safe sex message, or write and produce an advert of their own.
Whose responsibility?
Clip 3: 09:40 – 10:35
- Opens with the narrator saying, 'At the condom factory, there's disagreement over whose responsibility it is to think about protection.'
- Closes with Chris saying, 'If they're not going to put it on for you, they might as well tell you.'
The young people discuss who should take responsibility for condoms. What do students think of their attitudes? Should both partners take responsibility? Is this realistic in a one-night stand situation? Is the issue of responsibility much more straightforward if you are in a relationship? Ask students to think about their own attitudes and talk about how and when you might actually raise the issue of condom use.
