Curriculum

'Postponing Sexual Involvement' (PSI): the philosophy behind the STARS program's curriculum 

• Persons younger than 16 are not able to understand fully the implications of their actions.
• Persons younger than 16 generally are not mature enough to deal with the consequences of their sexual actions.  Furthermore, the needs that young people are trying to meet through sexual intercourse could best be met in other ways.
• Young people under 16 are often pressured into doing things they really do not want to do. One source of pressure to become sexually involved comes from glamorous images presented by the media.
• Young people need awareness and skills to be able to resist pressure to become sexually involved. They need support and practice in learning how to resist this pressure.
• Young people respond most favorably to programs promoting postponement of sexual involvement when the information about how and why to say "no" comes from peers slightly older than themselves.

Excerpted from "The Emory University/Grady Memorial Hospital Program: 'Postponing Sexual Involvement', the Contraception Report, May 1994, Volume V, No. 2

STARS Curriculum

SESSION I   The Risks of Early Sexual Involvement

Purpose: To involve teens in developing the conclusion that postponing sex is the best choice for people their age.

SESSION II   Social Pressures

Purpose: To help teens acknowledge that the images or messages about sexual behavior in the media are not necessarily accurate or the best models for them to emulate.

SESSION III   Peer Pressure

Purpose: To help teens develop awareness and skill to resist pressure to become sexually involved.

SESSION IV   Learning Assertive Techniques

Purpose: To help teens develop assertiveness skills in resisting pressure to become sexually involved.

SESSION V   Reinforcing Skills

Purpose: To review and reinforce previous learning.