Teaching Guide:
Recognizing Sexual Myths

OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

realize the importance of having accurate information about sexuality; recognize some of the most common sexual myths teens are exposed to; and be motivated to learn more about sexuality.

MATERIALS

• copy of "Recognizing Sexual Myths" for each participant
• container for written, participant questions
• pencil and copy of "Participant Survey" for each participant (optional)

PRESENTATION GUIDE

This lesson is straightforward. For most presentations, you can simply go over the material found in the fact sheet. This guide simply provides comments on how you might present the material, suggestions for eliciting participant discussion and descriptions of supplementary material and activities you may want to use. Don't feel like you have to follow or use everything in it. You know your audience better than anyone else, you know how much time you have to make your presentation and you have your own unique ways of presenting material you're most comfortable with.

You'll need to consider two basic things as you begin to plan this lesson. First, you'll need to decide if you want to do it early or late in your SIT program. "Correct" information related to most of the myths discussed in the leaflet is presented in other SIT lessons. Therefore, using this lesson early in the program can result in participants receiving a "preview of coming attractions." If it is used late in the program, it can provide an opportunity to review some of the information covered earlier. Second, since this lesson is shorter than many of the other SIT lessons, you'll need to decide if you want to devote an entire session to it or if you want to combine it with another lesson. Base your decision on how long your sessions are and what you think will work best with your particular group.

INTRODUCTION

Begin your presentation by pointing out that many American teens don't know the facts about sexuality. Point out that many of them have heard and passed on misinformation or myths. Be sure to emphasize how basing sexual decisions on misinformation can have such serious consequences as an unintended pregnancy, a sexually transmitted disease or other suffering. Tell participants they can avoid such problems by learning the facts and passing them on to others. Tell them they need to be able to recognize sexual myths.

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT SEXUALITY

This section of the leaflet presents twenty of the most common sexual myths teens are exposed to and the facts about them. You can present it in one of two ways. The first option is to simply talk through each of the myths and facts. The second option is to use the Participant Survey. It contains all twenty of the myths. After giving participants time to complete the survey, tell them that the "correct" answer to each statement is "false." All of them are myths. You can then go over the "facts" related to each myth. Whichever option you choose, try to get participants involved in the discussion. Ask them if they've ever heard the myths before. If you notice that either sex is more familiar with any of the myths, point that out and ask participants why they think that's the case.

End your discussion of this section of the lesson by asking participants if there are any other myths they've heard that you haven't already discussed. Ask if anyone has heard something about sexuality they aren't sure about. If so, invite them to share it with the group. Give the facts about whatever they bring up. If you don't know if it's true or not, be honest and tell the group you don't know. Do promise to find out and report back at the next session, however.

Since some participants may be reluctant to ask about something that may be a myth in front of the group, be sure to have your "special container" for written questions and remind participants that they can write out their questions and place them in it. If anyone does, be sure to look at the questions, find the answers and go over them at the beginning of the next SIT session.

SEXUAL INTEGRITY AND MYTHS

End the lesson by making the point that the best way to combat sexual myths is to learn more about sexuality. Point out that the SIT program is designed to help them learn about sexuality. Encourage them to attend future sessions and read any SIT leaflets you are making available. Ask them to share what they learn with friends and point out that combating sexual ignorance is a sign of integrity.

AUTHOR: Gary L. Hansen, Ph.D., Extension Specialist in Sociology, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky; and William W. Mallory, Fayette County Extension Agent for 4-H/Youth Development, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky.