1. Gender Identity: a person's internal sense of knowing whether he or she is male or female. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Vol. 92, No. 4 (Oct. 1993), pp. 631-34

2. Gender Role: knowing what it means to be male or female, or what a man
or woman can or cannot do because of their gender. Some things are determined by the way male or female bodies are built. For example, only women menstruate and only men produce sperm. Other things are culturally determined. In our culture, only women wear dresses to work, but in other cultures, men wear skirt-like outfits everywhere. (Source: Life Planning Education, Advocates for Youth, Washington, DC, Page 125).

3. Sexual Orientation: the persistent pattern of physical and/or emotional attraction to members of the same or opposite sex (gender). Included in this are heterosexuality (opposite-gender attractions), homosexuality (samegender attractions), and bisexuality (attractions to members of both genders). (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Vol. 92, No.4 (Oct. 1993), pp. 631-34)

1. gender role stereotyping

2. gender identity stereotyping

3. sexual orientation stereotyping

1. family values
2. societal generalizations and cultural beliefs
3. peers
4. media influence

1. Stereotyping promotes discrimination and prejudice and can be destructive to community.
2. The strength of American society continues to lie in the ability of people to accept and respect diversity
3. Being able to see things from another's view point promotes harmony and strength in a society.

1. arranged marriages
2. chaperoned dates
3. gender roles in household

1. cannot marry outside the religion
2. children must be raised in the same religion
3. different religions take different stands on sexual behaviors and there are even different views among people of the same religion

1. education and economic status
2. family acceptance of partner/friend
3. sexual orientation of partner/friend
4. ethnicity of partner/ friend

1. rejection
2. harassment
3. internal conflict and devaluation of the self

1. Talk to someone you trust in your:

• family
  
• school community
  
• neighborhood community
  
• religious community

2. Seek out information to help clarify your beliefs and feelings

1. define and describe
2. leading causes - lack of communication, financial problems
3. more common today

1. loss of communication
2. loss of love
3. unable to deal effectively with problems
4. socioeconomic changes that result in financial hardship
5. family members may become dysfunctional

1. children become dysfunctional at school
2. breakdown of the family unit
3. need for more health care for the family to get through crisis
4. need for social services

1. joining of sperm and egg

1. attachment to the uterine wall (discuss ectopic pregnancy)

1. need for prenatal care

2. health of the baby depends on health of the mother

1. labor

1. growth of body hair

2. voice change
3. growth of muscles
4. growth of genitals
5. production of sperm
6. behavioral changes caused by hormonal imbalances

1. growth of breasts
2. growth of body hair

3. broadening of the hips
4. ovulation
5. menstruation
6. menopause
7. behavioral changes caused by hormonal imbalances

1. fluctuations during puberty for both males and females
2. fluctuations during pregnancy for women
3. menopause and hormonal changes later in life for males and females
4. hormone therapy and treatments

1. define, describe and give examples
2. "all your friends are doing it" - perception that is not accurate
3. manipulation to convince you to do something you don't want to do or to be something you don’t want to be

1. family expectations and values
2. myths and misconceptions you may have regarding sexual behavior
3. cultural beliefs
4. religious beliefs
5. media messages

1. only you can decide what is best for you
2. a decision that should be based on more than passion
3. deciding what is right for you is a tough decision, but an important one

1. poor self concept
2. low self-esteem
3. disappointment
4. depression
5. suicide

1. loss of reputation
2. change of friends

1. change in lifestyle

1. infection that may cause death or damage to sexual organs

1. rare among teens
2. promises before sexual activity are many times forgotten afterward

1. there are positive consequences of sexual activity for adults, but for most teens
the negative results far outweigh the positive

1. Myth: A pregnancy can't happen the first time a boy and girl have sex.
Fact: The likelihood of pregnancy depends on how close ovulation occurs to sex, whether it is the first time or not.

2. Myth: If a boy and girl do it standing up, the girl can't get pregnant.
Fact: Sperm are highly mobile and pregnancy can occur regardless of the position of intercourse.

3. Myth: A boy can't get a girl pregnant if he pulls out.
Fact: Fluid that collects at the tip of the penis during an erection may contain sperm. If this fluid enters the vagina, pregnancy can occur regardless of whether ejaculation occurs.

4. Myth: A girl can't get pregnant if she has never had a period.
Fact: Ovulation occurs prior to menstruation. Therefore, having sex before the first period can still result in pregnancy.

5. Myth: A boy can't get a girl pregnant while she is menstruating.
Fact: Although not as common, sometimes ovulation can happen at the same time or soon after a period, and pregnancy can occur.

1. Myth: Homosexuality is a mental health disorder.
Fact: All major professional mental health organizations affirm that homosexuality is not a mental disorder.

2. Myth: If you are "straight", you can become homosexual.
Fact: Most experts in the field have concluded that sexual orientation is not a choice.

3. Myth: You're a homosexual if you've had sex with, or even had a "sexy dream" about someone of the same gender.
Fact: Sex play with friends of the same gender is not uncommon during early adolescence and does not prove long-term sexual orientation.
4. Myth: Children of homosexual parents/guardians will become homosexuals.

Fact: Having homosexual parents/guardians does not predispose you to being homosexual.

1. Myth: Males have stronger sex drives and are more interested in sex than females.
Fact: Female sex drive is just as strong. Society has traditionally allowed males to express their desires more openly.

2. Myth: Men must ejaculate once they have an erection.
Fact: The penis will return to a flaccid state whether or not ejaculation occurs.

3. Myth: You are not really a man or woman until you have sex.
Fact: Sometimes it is more difficult to say no than yes. It is more responsible and adult-like to wait until you are ready to handle the consequences.

1. loss of friendships
2. loss of social activities
3. marrying for the wrong reasons

1. inability to complete educational goals
2. lack of employment skills
3. low paying employment
4. use of the welfare system

1. low self-esteem/concept
2. depression
3. forced to act like an adult (job, bills, parenting)
4. inability to cope with child rearing

5. lost adolescence

Lindley, Lisa L. Support for Instruction About Homosexuality in South Carolina Public Schools. Journal of School Health , January 2001, Vol. 71, No. 1
A Silent Crisis: Creating Safe Schools for Sexual Minority Youth, Chapter on Definitions and Stereotypes, (The Educational Materials Center, Central Michigan University) April, 2002.

American Academy of Pediatrics, "Homosexuality and Adolescence", (Medical Library) http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZUHJP3KAC&sub_cat
Journal of Health Education, "Health Issues of Gay and Lesbian Youth: Implications for Schools," by Cyndi Giorgis, Kyle Higgins, and Warren L. McNab, January/February2000, Volume 31, No. 1
American Psychiatric Association, "Homosexual and Bisexual Issues", February, 2000. 1400 K St. NW Washington, DC, 20005, Internet: www.psych.org

American Psychological Association (Online), "Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality." http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html
Life Planning Education , Chapter 5: Questions and Answers About Homosexua lity, p.162 written by Advocates for Youth, Washington, DC

Family Pride Coalition- Issues and News: Myths and Facts
http://www.familypride.org/issues/myths.htm
Lesson Plan: Sexual Orientation Myths- Planned Parenthood Association of Edmonton
http://www.ppae.ab.cs/index.php?m=1&s=1&print=1
American Psychiatric Association: FactSheet; Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues
1400 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005
Recognizing Sexual Myths: National Network for Family Resiliency
http://www.nnfr.org/adolsex/fact/adolsex_myths.html
Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel
http://mirror.apa.org/pi-OLD/lgbc/publication/justthefacts.html
Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework- October 1999
http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/health/1999/physical.html
Teen Pregnancy Information Center-Myths About Getting Pregnant
http://geocities.com/maggi19/sex/gettingpregnant.htm
Myths and Facts
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/diversity/glhra/mythfact.htm
Gender Identity Disorder, Ann Reyes
http://www.Discoveryhealth.com