Facts and feelings: Sexuality education for middle schoolers

Middle school students "are at a unique point, going through puberty, learning about relationships and how to interact with someone they are attracted to," said Kirsten deFur, one of the facilitators of a sexuality education program at the Unitarian Church.

  STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Whatever age it happens, the way we learn about sex is usually memorable, The whole picture is often pieced together from various and sundry sources — the “the talk” with mom or dad, stories of friends, health class and a host of print and electronic media. The result can be a confusing mix of fact and misinformation. 

At the Unitarian Church of Staten Island, parents decided to provide middle school students with a more complete approach to their sexuality with a broad base of information. While sex education is part of the intermediate school curriculum, parents have found the emphasis to be on preventing STDs and AIDs and not on the range of physical and emotional changes that come with puberty.

“We don’t want a fear-based sexuality education program. We want one where sexuality is seen as a positive thing. If we give this age group the right information, they can make responsible decisions,” said Kate Howard, religious exploration coordinator.

The course is part of the the Unitarian Universalist’s program for sexuality education known as OWL — Our Whole Lives.

 

  KIRSTEN DeFUR 

The curriculum is secular and free of any religious doctrine. It will be facilitated by Rona Solomon, president of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island and sexuality educator Kirsten deFur.
“These students are at a unique point, going through puberty, learning about relationships and how to interact with someone they are attracted to,” said Ms. deFur who has a master of public health in sexuality and health from Columbia University.
“It’s important for them to think about relationships and sexuality and how people get along before they enter into a serious relationship,” she added.
“More than the birds and the bees,” says Ms. deFur, the course emphasizes relationship skills and healthy living, by including a range of areas, including body awareness, human development, friendship, dating, gender issues and social responsibility.

RONA SOLOMON 

Ms. Solomon has an extensive background in human and reproductive rights that includes founding executive director of the Staten Island Aids Task Force and Development Director of Community Family Planning Council.

Students will have the opportunity to read, discuss and ask questions.

“It’s important to have a safe base to explore and talk about sexuality,” said Ms. deFur. The curriculum is meant to support a parent’s role as the primary educators of their children.

A parent orientation will be held Sunday, Nov. 11 from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. Parents can register their children on that day for the 11 week course that begins Jan. 6. The fee for the course is $150. Financial assistance may be available. For more information, contact Ms. Howard at 718-447-2204 or recoordinator@uucsi.org.