OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL): SEXUALITY EDUCATION FOR GRADE 8
The OWL program presents a comprehensive approach to human sexuality in an age-appropriate manner. It is based firmly on the values of respect, responsibility, justice and inclusivity and aims to help young people apply these values to their behavior and provides them with information and skills they can use throughout life. It helps participants clarify their values and religious beliefs and emphasizes the worth and dignity of each participant. Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
Our Whole Lives uses approaches that work. The curricula are based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education, and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS).
Our Whole Lives covers topics and skills that both parents and students want to have available but schools are less likely to cover. The Kaiser Family Foundation has an interesting report on this subject called “Sex Education in America: A View from Inside the Nation’s Classrooms.” New national surveys are challenging the convention that Americans are reluctant to have sexual health issues taught in school, the surveys show that most parents, along with educators and students themselves, would expand sex education courses and curriculum.
We currently offer OWL each year to 8th grade youth in a combined effort with our cluster UU churches in North Andover and Andover. Trained leaders who are members of each of our congregations lead the classes which currently meet Sunday evenings from 4–6:15 p.m. from February to April.
For more information, see http://www.uua.org/owl/what.html.
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