Yesterday, I made a promise that I intend to keep:
"I am committed to creating a space where young people can talk openly and honestly about the sex and relationship issues that matter, offering my full support as a coach and mentor. I pledge to help them develop the confidence, self-awareness and self-respect they need to make the choices that make sense - for them."
And that promise is published on Brook’s Sex:Positive website for the world to see.
Sex:Positive launched on 12th February. The aim of the campaign is to challenge negative attitudes and create a more open and honest dialogue about young people, sex and relationships. After all, it's hardly fair to vilify teens as immoral, promiscuous risk-takers, but not give them the facts and guidance they need to make better decisions.
Being Sex:Positive means celebrating sexuality and embracing individuality, rather than banging on about STIs and unwanted pregnancies. It means talking about the good stuff.
So what is a celebration of sex?
I think it's probably best summed up by the feelings that the act itself evokes. Pleasure, intimacy, fun, playfulness, love, openness and passion being some of the first that spring to mind...
In one of my teenage research groups recently, I asked whether there were any general questions about sex that still needed to be answered by the time they reached the sixth form. A confident 17 year old told me: 'No - we're fine.'
Of course, his response probably wasn't representative of the entire group, but I continued: 'OK. Great. So how could sex and relationships be better?' The general response was 'more sessions like this one' - which seemed to me like another reason to celebrate.
I know that talking and listening are part of what makes sex great. When there is a desire to build on what you already know, to learn more about yourself and your partner, to develop physical eloquence as a sexual human being, sex becomes an expression, not just a statement, a journey not just a destination.
By offering good sex education that genuinely supports the individual, whatever their sexual orientation, we offer young people the chance to evolve into sexual maturity with confidence.
By teaching them to respect themselves and others and giving them the information they need, we can increase the likelihood that their intimate relationships are a source of happiness and fulfilment rather than confusion, frustration or disconnect.
"I am committed to creating a space where young people can talk openly and honestly about the sex and relationship issues that matter, offering my full support as a coach and mentor. I pledge to help them develop the confidence, self-awareness and self-respect they need to make the choices that make sense - for them."
And that promise is published on Brook’s Sex:Positive website for the world to see.
Sex:Positive launched on 12th February. The aim of the campaign is to challenge negative attitudes and create a more open and honest dialogue about young people, sex and relationships. After all, it's hardly fair to vilify teens as immoral, promiscuous risk-takers, but not give them the facts and guidance they need to make better decisions.
Being Sex:Positive means celebrating sexuality and embracing individuality, rather than banging on about STIs and unwanted pregnancies. It means talking about the good stuff.
So what is a celebration of sex?
I think it's probably best summed up by the feelings that the act itself evokes. Pleasure, intimacy, fun, playfulness, love, openness and passion being some of the first that spring to mind...
In one of my teenage research groups recently, I asked whether there were any general questions about sex that still needed to be answered by the time they reached the sixth form. A confident 17 year old told me: 'No - we're fine.'
Of course, his response probably wasn't representative of the entire group, but I continued: 'OK. Great. So how could sex and relationships be better?' The general response was 'more sessions like this one' - which seemed to me like another reason to celebrate.
I know that talking and listening are part of what makes sex great. When there is a desire to build on what you already know, to learn more about yourself and your partner, to develop physical eloquence as a sexual human being, sex becomes an expression, not just a statement, a journey not just a destination.
By offering good sex education that genuinely supports the individual, whatever their sexual orientation, we offer young people the chance to evolve into sexual maturity with confidence.
By teaching them to respect themselves and others and giving them the information they need, we can increase the likelihood that their intimate relationships are a source of happiness and fulfilment rather than confusion, frustration or disconnect.
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