Healthy Sexuality
Life Behaviors of a Sexually Healthy Individual
A sexually healthy individual will be able to demonstrate these 36 characteristics (on a good day)! They are listed below under six broader concept areas that provide an expanded framework for thinking about your sexuality.
Human Development
§ Appreciate your body.
§ Seek further information about reproduction as needed.
§ Affirm that human development includes sexual development, which may or may not include reproduction or genital sexual experience.
§ Interact with all genders in respectful and appropriate ways.
§ Affirm your sexual orientation and respect the sexual orientation of others.
§ Appreciate your body.
§ Seek further information about reproduction as needed.
§ Affirm that human development includes sexual development, which may or may not include reproduction or genital sexual experience.
§ Interact with all genders in respectful and appropriate ways.
§ Affirm your sexual orientation and respect the sexual orientation of others.
Relationships
§ View family as a valuable source of support.
§ 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.
§ Understand how cultural heritage affects ideas about family, interpersonal relationships and ethics.
Personal Skills
§ Identify and live according to your values.
§ Take responsibility for your own behavior.
§ Practice effective decision-making.
§ Communicate effectively with family, peers and partners.
Sexual Behavior
§ Enjoy and express your sexuality throughout life.
§ Express your sexuality in ways congruent with your 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 your sexuality while respecting the rights of others.
§ Seek new information to enhance your sexuality.
§ Engage in sexual relationships that are consensual, non-exploitative, honest, pleasurable and protected against disease and unintended pregnancy.
Society and Culture
- Demonstrate respect for people with different sexual values
* Avoid behaviors that exhibit prejudice and bigotry.
- Reject stereotypes about the sexuality of diverse populations.
- Educate others about sexuality
- Use contraception effectively to avoid unintended pregnancy.
- Prevent sexual abuse.
- Act consistent with your own values in dealing with an unintended pregnancy.
- Seek early prenatal care.
- Avoid contracting or transmitting a sexually transmitted disease, including HIV.
- Practice health-promoting behaviors, such as regular check-ups, breast and testicular self-exam, and early identification of potential problems.
* Exercise democratic responsibility to influence legislation dealing with sexual issues.
- Assess the impact of family, cultural, religious, media, and societal messages on your thoughts, feelings, values and behaviors related to sexuality.
- Promote the rights of all people to accurate sexuality information.
Adapted from the SIECUS Guidelines for Comprehensive Sex Education.
Steps Toward Sexual Health:
