Age: 13 years and above
Download: Let’s Learn How to Make Informed Decisions About Sex.
Duration: 20 minutes
Information: bakteen
What is this lesson about?
During adolescence, it is normal to experience romantic and sexual feelings, to become curious about these feelings, and to want to explore new experiences. Everyone’s feelings and experiences can be different. In this lesson, we will talk about respecting your own consent and the consent of others, recognising pressure and coercion, and reducing the risks of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This lesson will help students make informed decisions about their bodies and health and understand where to seek help when needed.
Learning Objectives
- Recognise that consent obtained through fear or pressure is not genuine consent.
- Learn about preventing pregnancy and protecting against sexually transmitted infections.
- Identify a person or service that can provide help if a problem occurs.
Let’s Prepare Before the Lesson
Read the Bakteens article, watch the video, and complete the quiz beforehand. Prepare the video for viewing. Prepare the following sections of the article for use in the classroom:
- Things to consider before engaging in sexual activity
- Preventing an unintended pregnancy
- How to prevent sexually transmitted infections
Tell students at the beginning that they will not be asked about their personal experiences. Discuss only hypothetical situations.
Materials needed: Bakteens article, a screen to show the video, a board, and pens.
Key words: Consent, pressure, condom, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
For Teachers
Since this is a lesson about health, students should be provided with accurate, scientific information. Teachers may have personal beliefs about sexual activity before marriage or the use of contraception. However, avoid imposing these beliefs on students or judging students based on them.
Talk about sexual feelings and sexual activity calmly and clearly, without creating shame. Do not present sexual activity as the worst thing an adolescent can do. Instead, help students make informed decisions about consent, safety, and health.
Most importantly, students should know that if they face a problem, they can seek help from a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult without being afraid that they will be scolded. Listen calmly to a student who asks for help. Instead of blaming them, provide the support they need.
1. Let’s Start a Conversation – 2 minutes
Ask the students:
“Have you heard the word ‘condom’? Do you know what it is used for?”
Listen to two or three responses. Tell students that they can ask questions even if they do not know the answer. If an incorrect answer is given, correct it simply without embarrassing the student.
Then say:
“A condom is a protective barrier used during sexual activity. When used correctly, it reduces the risk of pregnancy and many sexually transmitted infections. Today, we will learn about sexual activity, consent, and health. It is normal to have questions about these topics. Let’s talk about them respectfully and without making fun of anyone.”
2. Is This Consent or Pressure? – 4 minutes
Read the following situations one by one. After each situation, ask:
“Does the other person have the freedom to make their own decision here?”
“I’m not ready yet.”
“Okay. We don’t have to do it.”
The other person’s decision is being respected.
“If you love me, you have to do this.”
This is using love to pressure someone.
“I agreed before, but now I want to stop.”
“Okay, let’s stop.”
This respects the right to change your mind.
“If you don’t do this, I’ll send your photo to everyone.”
This is a threat. In a situation like this, support from a trusted adult is needed.
Finally, remind students:
“If someone says ‘yes’ because they are afraid, because they have been threatened, or because they are repeatedly pressured, it is not freely given consent.”
3. Let’s Read the Bakteens Article – 5 minutes
Using the selected sections, explain the following three points.
1. We need to understand both the positive feelings and the risks associated with sexual activity.
Some people may experience pleasure and intimacy through sexual activity. However, not everyone has the same experience. If there is pressure, fear, or pain, it should not be ignored.
Choosing to delay sexual activity is also a valid decision.
2. Preventing pregnancy and protecting against infections
Write the following points on the board:
- Condoms – When used correctly every time, condoms reduce the risk of pregnancy and many sexually transmitted infections. They do not guarantee complete protection.
- Contraceptive pills, injections, implants, or IUDs – These are used to prevent pregnancy. They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Explain that talking about using condoms is not a sign of mistrust. It is a way of caring about both people’s health.
3. An infection may not always have visible symptoms.
Just because someone looks healthy does not mean that they do not have an infection. If there is a concern, medical advice and testing may be necessary.
Do not blame or exclude someone who has an infection. These infections can be treated, and treatment is available free of charge at government hospitals.
Then ask:
“Do contraceptive pills protect against sexually transmitted infections?”
Correct answer: No. They are a method used to prevent pregnancy.
4. If There Is a Problem, Let’s Get Help – 2 minutes
Read the following hypothetical situation:
“Someone has had sexual activity without using protection. Now they are worried about pregnancy or an infection. They are afraid they will be scolded, so they find it difficult to ask for help.”
Ask the students:
“What would you tell this person to help them get support?”
Listen to several responses and explain:
- Listen calmly instead of blaming the person.
- With the support of a trusted adult, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
- Emergency contraception is available to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual activity. It is important to seek advice about it as soon as possible.
- Seek medical advice about sexually transmitted infections as well. There is no need to wait until symptoms appear.
5. Now Let’s Watch the Video – 4 minutes
Before showing the video, say:
“Identify one decision a person can make to protect their own safety and the safety of another person.”
After watching the video, ask for two responses.
6. Now Let’s Do the Quiz – 3 minutes
Complete the following two questions from the article’s quiz as a class:
1. A question about the method that can be used to reduce the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Answer: Condom.
2. A question about the consent that should be present before sexual activity.
Answer: Freely given consent.
After each answer, ask:
“Why did you choose that answer?”
Important point for teachers
In Sri Lanka, the age of consent for sexual activity is 16. Sexual activity with a girl under 16 is a serious offence under the law, even if she says that she consented, and it can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
7. Final Message – 2 minutes
Ask the students:
“What is one thing you should remember from today’s lesson?”
Listen to several responses and conclude with:
“Having a feeling does not mean that you have to act on it. You can say ‘no,’ and you can change your mind after giving consent. We also need to respect the other person’s decision. Let’s learn accurate information about our health. If there is a problem, let’s not be afraid to ask for help.”
A Small Reminder for Teachers
Question → Hypothetical situations → Information from the article → Seeking help → Video → Quiz
It is not necessary to teach all contraceptive methods or medication dosages in this short lesson. Explain that advice from a healthcare professional is needed when choosing a contraceptive method.
Avoid statements such as:
- “If there is love, it is safe.”
- “There is no risk at all if you use a condom.”
- “Pregnancy can happen from every type of sexual activity.”
The level of risk varies depending on the sexual activity. Pregnancy can occur when sperm enters the vagina, while some sexually transmitted infections can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.
Let’s Create a Safe Classroom
- Do not ask students about their relationships or sexual experiences.
- Agree at the beginning that nobody will make fun of anyone.
- Allow a student to skip a question if they do not want to answer.
- If you do not know the answer to a question, do not guess. Find accurate information and provide it later.
- If a student discloses pressure, coercion, or abuse, do not ask for further details in front of the class. Listen calmly and provide support according to the school’s child safeguarding procedures.
