SEXUAL DECISION MAKING

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SEXUAL DECISION MAKING
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Part IDecision-Making
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Influences

• Religious organizations
• Cultural traditions
• Associations
• School organizations (sports, clubs)

• Media
• Television
• Music
• Friends
• Parents
• Siblings
• Extended family

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Making Responsible Decisions

• Adolescence is a time for personal development
• Adolescents will be exposed to new things and
  will face greater challenges in everyday life
• Important to keep influences in mind when making
  a decision

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Six Steps of Decision-Making Process

1. State the situation
2. List the options
3. Weigh the possible outcomes

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Six Steps of Decision-Making Process

• Consider your values
• Make a decision and act
• Evaluate the decision

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Making Sexual Decisions

• Physical and emotional changes during adolescence
  can lead to confusion and concern
• Important to know the difference between feelings
  of sexual attraction and love
• Remember You DO NOT have to act on sexual
  impulses!

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Part IIRefusal Skills
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Refusal Skills

• Clear communication with partner
• Verbal and non-verbal actions send the same
  message
• Clear body language

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Refusal Skills

• Self-control
• A persons ability to use responsibility to
  override emotions
• No conflicting actions
• Assertiveness

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Part III Consequences of Sexual Activity
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Negative Consequences of Sexual Activity

• Unplanned pregnancy
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Loss of self-respect
• Negative Effects on social relationships

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Unplanned Pregnancy

• Complicates adolescent life
• 86 of teen pregnancies are unplanned
• Giving birth at a young age increases health
  risks for both the mother and child
• Limits the teens future

Teens are not ready for Parenthood!
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Spread from person to person through sexual
  contact
• STDs require medical treatment
• Examples
• A.I.D.S.
• Herpes
• Syphilis

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Mental and Social Effects

• Loss of self-respect
• Diminished self-image
• Tension between boyfriend/girlfriend
  relationships
• Sexual activities may lead to unshared feelings,
  emotional attachment and other dilemmas