Human Sexuality discussions pt 2

More things to keep in mind when in a discussion during a Human Sexuality class:

• Make “no personal stories or questions” a part of the covenant drawn up at the beginning of the program.
  
• If they ask a personal question, even if you don't mind answering, say that it is a personal question, and that you won't ask them personal questions if they won't ask you personal question. Sometimes these personal questions intend to be the “shocking question” mentioned in the previous hint.
  
• Be careful about sharing your own personal stories. They aren't always helpful. Even if the age gap between you and the youth is not great, they assume that you grew up in an entirely different world and that your experiences do not apply to them.
  
• If the issue of “hypocrisy” comes up, such as “my parents were really wild when they were young and now they don't let me do anything,” help them understand that it may not be hypocrisy but a true desire on the part of their parents that their children have a safer, better life than they did. Does every generation have to learn things the hard way?
  
• It is hard to give too much information. If some of the material is over their head or they are not ready for it, they will just filter it out. It won't register with them until they are ready to hear. (You can teach the exact same kids the exact same material two years in a row and the second time they will learn entirely different things.)
  
• Outside of formal programs on the subject, be careful about pressing to discuss issues related to sexuality with kids. If they are not ready for the discussion it can spook them.
  
• Remember that with modern sensibilities and fears, unexpected sexual references or crude language or jokes can be taken as “sexual abuse” and could be reported, at least to their parents.