SIECUS Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education, 2nd Edition

Level 1 (Ages 5 to 8):
  • Both girls and boys have body parts that feel good when touched.

  • Vaginal intercourse occurs when a man and a woman place the penis inside the vagina.

  • Human beings experience different kinds of loving.

  • Most men and women are heterosexual, which means they will be attracted to and fall in love with someone of the other gender.

  • Some men and women are homosexual, which means they will be attracted to and fall in love with someone of the same gender.

  • Homosexuals are also known as gay men and lesbian women.

  • Many people live in lifetime committed relationships, even though they may not be legally married.

  • Touching and rubbing one's own genitals to feel good is called masturbation.

  • Some boys and girls masturbate and others do not.

  • Masturbation should be done in a private place.

  • Adults often kiss, hug, touch and engage in other sexual behavior with one another to show caring and to share sexual pleasure.

 

Level 2 (Ages 9 to 12):
  • Sexual intercourse provides pleasure.

  • Sexual orientation refers to whether a person is heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.

  • A bisexual person is attracted to both men and women.

  • Why a person has a particular sexual orientation is not now known.

  • Homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual people are alike except for their sexual attraction.

  • Homosexual and bisexual people are often mistreated, called hurtful names, or denied their rights because of their sexual orientation.

  • Some people are afraid to admit they are bisexual or homosexual because they fear they will be mistreated.

  • Homosexual love relationships can be as fulfilling as heterosexual relationships.

  • Gay men and lesbians can adopt children or have their own children.

  • Masturbation is often the first way a person experiences sexual pleasure.

  • Many boys and girls begin to masturbate for sexual pleasure during puberty.

  • Couples have different ways to share sexual pleasure with each other.

  • Being sexual with another person usually involves more than sexual intercourse.

  • A woman faced with an unintended pregnancy can carry the pregnancy to term and raise the baby, place the baby for adoption, or have an abortion to end the pregnancy.

  • Abortion is legal in the United States.

  • Abortion must be performed by a physician or other licensed health provider.

  • A legal abortion is very safe.

 

Level 3 (Ages 12 to 15):
  • Theories about what determines sexual orientation include genetics and prenatal influences, socio-cultural influence, psychosocial factors, and a combination of all these factors.

  • Homosexual couples behave sexually in many of the same ways as heterosexual couples.

  • Many young people have brief sexual experiences (including fantasies and dreams) with the same gender, but they mainly feel attracted to the other gender.

  • Some young people have brief sexual experiences (including fantasies and dreams) with the other gender but they mainly feel attracted to their own gender.

  • When a homosexual person accepts his/her sexual orientation, gains strength and pride as a gay or lesbian person, and tells others, it is known as "coming out."

  • Talking about feelings about sexual orientation can be difficult.

  • “Coming out" can be difficult because people fear negative reactions.

  • Some people feel attracted to both men and women.

  • Every culture and society has some people who are homosexual.

  • People do not choose their sexual orientation. -[WRONG!]

  • Sexual orientation cannot be changed by therapy or medicine.

  • Understanding one's sexual orientation can be difficult.

  • Gay men, lesbian women, and bisexuals can lead fulfilling lives.

  • Gay men and lesbian women can establish lifelong committed relationships.

  • Some religious groups oppose homosexuality.

  • Peoples' beliefs about homosexuality are based on their religious, cultural, and family values.

  • When couples spend a lot of time together alone, they are more likely to become sexually involved.

  • Gay and lesbian youth, like heterosexual youth, may or may not date.

  • Two people who cohabit can have the same commitment and responsibility toward one another as married people.

  • Sometimes the values one learns in society conflict with the values one has learned in one's family. [Here's the setup to undermine parental imparting of values]

  • Values should be freely chosen after the alternatives and their consequences are evaluated. [Here's the punch!  "We're right, your parents are wrong!"]

  • Teenagers sometimes need to talk with an adult other than their parents. [AGAIN!]

  • Some agencies provide services for teenagers that do not require parental permission, are confidential, and cost little or no money. [And AGAIN!]

  • How often a person masturbates varies for every individual.

  • A person worried about masturbation might talk to a trusted adult.

  • Most people have masturbated at some time in their lives.

  • Masturbation, either alone or with a partner, is one way a person can enjoy and express their sexuality without risking pregnancy or an STD/HIV.

  • Many negative myths exist about masturbation.

  • When two people express their sexual feelings together, they usually give and receive pleasure.

  • Sexual relationships can be more fulfilling in a loving relationship.

  • Being sexual with another person usually involves different sexual behaviors.

  • Some sexual expressions are prohibited by law and disapproved of by certain religions and families.

  • An early abortion can be done in a clinic, doctor's office, or hospital.

  • Most women report no problems after having an abortion.

  • People's beliefs about abortion are based on their religious, cultural, and family values.

  • Some religions support the right to an abortion.

  • Some religions oppose abortion.

  • The right of a woman to have a legal abortion is guaranteed by the Supreme Court, although there are restrictions in some states.

 

Level 4 (Ages 15 to 18):
  • Sexual orientation is determined by a combination of a person' s attractions, fantasies, and behavior.

  • Gender identity is determined by a person' s feelings of maleness or femaleness.

  • The understanding and identification of one' s sexual orientation may change during life.

  • Some people who engage in same gender sexual behavior do not identify as bisexual, gay, or lesbian.

  • Teenagers who have questions about their sexual or gender orientation should consult a trusted and knowledgeable adult.

  • People of different generations may have different values and ideas about family life.

  • Dating can be a way to learn about other people, about romantic and sexual feelings and expression, and about what it is like to be in a loving relationship.

  • Having values different from one's family can be difficult. [Here's the setup to undermine parental values!]

  • A person may accept one's family's values and not always agree with all of them.  [And here's the follow-through: "ignore your parents' values, assume ours."]

  • To behave according to one's values can be difficult but usually results in feelings of pride.

  • The traditional gender roles about sexuality in our society are becoming more flexible.

  • For most people, sharing a sexual experience with a partner is a satisfying way to express sexuality.

  • Couples and individuals need to decide how to express their sexual feelings.

  • Some sexual behaviors shared by partners include kissing, touching, talking, caressing, massaging, sharing erotic literature or art, bathing/showering together, and oral, vaginal or anal intercourse.

  • Individuals are responsible for their own sexual pleasure.

  • Some people use erotic photographs, movies, or literature to enhance their sexual fantasies when alone or with a partner. [Use pornography, it's great!]

  • Some sexual fantasies involve mysterious or forbidden things.

  • Many people's sexual fantasies include behaviors not actually acted upon or even desired in real life.

  • Some people continue to respect their religious teachings and traditions but believe that some views are not personally relevant. [In other words, throw out what the Bible says, because we're telling you it's not relevant!]

  • There are a growing number of congregations that welcome openly gay men and lesbians.  ["If your church isn't one of them, find a new one."]

 

*This compilation is a partial list.  To view the guidelines in their entirety, click here.