10. Adult Sexual Activity

Notes to the Instructor

The mechanics of adult sexual activity and its significance need to be discussed even with those students who are not sexually active. Students need to know the function and capabilities of their bodies. Sexual decision-making should be based upon as much information as the student can assimilate, as well as upon personal values.

Interpretation

1. Purple Private Circle/Space
• Sexual activity is a loving act between two very close people and is a time of sharing your most intimate thoughts and behaviors.
• It is usually done as an act of mutual pleasure.
• For heterosexual (straight) couples, it may result in pregnancy if birth control is not used (having a baby, see section #11, “Reproduction”) or with sexually transmitted diseases (see section #13, “Health Care”).
• Although sexual intercourse cannot result in pregnancy for gay couples, they (like straight couples) could contract sexually transmitted diseases from each other if either one is infected.
• Some people decide to marry before they have sexual intercourse or be touched sexually by a partner.
2. Blue Big Hug Circle (Sweetheart)
• Two people who are very close to each other sometimes decide to be sexually active.
• Sexual intercourse between heterosexual young adults may begin a baby and you must always consider this even if you use birth control.
• Infected individuals can give each other sexually transmitted diseases during sexual activity. However, safer practices can be learned and utilized to lower risk.
• Sexual activity feels good between two loving people when they both want to engage at the same time (review section #7 “Consensus & Mutuality in Relationships”). Sexual activity should feel good. If not, consult a doctor or consultant.
3. Green Far Away Hug Circle
• Sexual activity is not an activity that friends usually engage in.
• Friends sometimes discuss sexual activity to get more information or to get advice.
4. Yellow Handshake Circle
• Most people do not ever have sexual activity with acquaintances.
5. Orange Wave Circle
• It is against the law to have sexual touching with children.
6. Red Stranger Circle (Community Helpers/Health Workers)
• Community helpers do not have sexual intercourse with you ever. You may talk about sexual intercourse with a community helper in a related field.
7. Red Total Stranger Space (Total Strangers)
• Do not have sex with strangers. If a stranger (or anyone) forces you to have sex with them, it is not your fault. Get away and tell someone you trust. Go to the police.

Activities

1. Using the CIRCLES graph as reference, show how people could move through the circles from the Red Stranger Space to the Blue Big Hug Circle (Sweetheart). Only then does adult sexual activity with a partner become a consideration.
2. Review all of the information on private/public spaces.
3. Review knocking on closed doors.
4. Show pictures of people engaged in a variety of sexual behavior. Explain that sexual intercourse is only one type of sexual activity.
5. Give a verbal explanation of what physical acts are involved in sexual activity.
6. Consequences of intercourse need to be explored: pregnancy, emotional involvement, and sexually transmitted diseases (see section #13“ Health Care”).
7. Students need to know that sexual intercourse is an intimate way that people display affection, experience physical pleasure, and reproduce. Students should also understand that pregnancy is a possible consequence of heterosexual penile/vaginal intercourse
8. Display methods of birth control and demonstrate how they are used. Allow students to handle items and tell them how each can be obtained. A guest speaker from a local family planning or community health center can speak to students. Discuss use of latex condoms for minimizing the risk of STD transmission.
9. Discuss the availability and advisability of counseling for a couple.