SIECUS Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education

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Life Behaviors of a Sexually Healthy Adult

The Guidelines explain that the goal of a comprehensive sexuality education program is to facilitate sexual health. After learning the six key concepts and associated topics, subconcepts, and developmental messages, at an appropriate age, the student will demonstrate certain life behaviors.

A sexually healthy adult will:

Human Development

Appreciate one’s own body.
Seek further information about reproduction as needed.
Affirm that human development includes sexual development, which may or may not include reproduction or sexual experience.
Interact with all genders in respectful and appropriate ways.
Affirm one’s own sexual orientation and respect the sexual orientations of others.
Affirm one’s own gender identities and respect the gender identities of others.

Relationship

Express love and intimacy in appropriate ways.
Develop and maintain meaningful relationships.
Avoid exploitative or manipulative relationships.
Make informed choices about family options and relationships.
Exhibit skills that enhance personal relationships.

Personal Skills

Identify and live according to one’s own values.
Take responsibility for one’s own behavior.
Practice effective decision-making.
Develop critical-thinking skills.
Communicate effectively with family, peers, and romantic partners.

Sexual Behavior

Enjoy and express one’s sexuality throughout life.
Express one’s sexuality in ways that are congruent with one’s values.
Enjoy sexual feelings without necessarily acting on them.
Discriminate between life-enhancing sexual behaviors and those that are harmful to self and/or others.
Express one’s sexuality while respecting the rights of others.
Seek new information to enhance one’s sexuality.
Engage in sexual relationships that are consensual, non-exploitative, honest, pleasurable, and protected.

Sexual Health

Practice health-promoting behaviors, such as regular check-ups, breast and testicular self-exam, and early identification of potential problems.
Use contraception effectively to avoid unintended pregnancy.
Avoid contracting or transmitting a sexually transmitted disease, including HIV.
Act consistently with one’s own values when dealing with an unintended pregnancy.
Seek early prenatal care.
Help prevent sexual abuse.

Society and Culture

Demonstrate respect for people with different sexual values.
Exercise democratic responsibility to influence legislation dealing with sexual issues.
Assess the impact of family, cultural, media, and societal messages on one’s thoughts, feelings, values, and behaviors related to sexuality.
Critically examine the world around them for biases based on gender, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity, and race.
Promote the rights of all people to accurate sexuality information.
Avoid behaviors that exhibit prejudice and bigotry.
Reject stereotypes about the sexuality of different populations.
Educate others about sexuality.

Resource: Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Kindergarten -12th Grade, 3rd Edition (New York: SIECUS, 2004).

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