Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Sexuality

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About this Chapter
Sexuality is an essential and integral part of all stages of human life, yet the topic is still taboo in almost every country. Talking openly about sexuality is crucial for understanding sexual behavior, the growth and development of our bodies, how we experience our gender roles, what constitutes a healthy relationship, how to have children when and if we want to, how to communicate with our intimate partners, and how to prevent health problems and unwanted pregnancies. Opening lessons should provide young people with both the words and the comfort to talk about sexuality so they will participate more actively in class and, more important, so they will begin to develop skills for lifelong communication with parents, partners, health care providers, and, eventually, their own children. Opening lessons should also address values, though discussion of values will be relevant in many other topics. Although values are subjective and cannot be taught, sexuality educators can guide students to examine and clarify their own values and recognize how they powerfully influence behavior.