FAMILY LIFE AND SEX EDUCATION

Sex Education Ten Talks Parents Must Have with Their Children About Sex and Character The Talk: What Your Kids Need to Hear from You About Sex For SEX EDUCATION, See Librarian: A Guide to Issues and Resources Title IX and sex discrimination Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 : prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities ... assistance (SuDoc ED 1.310/2:423613) Sex Smart: 501 Reasons to Hold Off on Sex: A Sexuality Resource for Teenagers All About Sex: A Family Resource of Sex & Sexuality Promoting Sexual Responsibility: A Teen Pregnancy Prevention Resource for School Employees

Access to sexuality education remains one of the vital approaches to mitigating negative health outcomes for young people. Several research studies have shown that young people typically go through the challenging process of growing up with little or no sexual and reproductive health information. Much of what they know is mainly received from peers who are often ignorant about these issues and provide either erroneous or inadequate information.

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in 1994 set the goal of ensuring universal voluntary access to a full range of reproductive health information and services by 2015. One objective of the Programme of Action adopted by 179 governments is “to promote
adequate development of responsible sexuality.” It recommends that full attention be given to meeting the educational and service needs of adolescents to enable them to deal in a positive and responsible way with their sexuality.

“Support should be given to integral sexual education and services for young people, with the support and guidance of their parents and in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child…” “Educational efforts should begin within the family unit, in the community and in the schools at an appropriate age, but must also reach adults, in particular men, through non-formal education and a variety of community-based efforts. “
-ICPD Programme of Action, para. 7.37.

In line with the ICPD Programme of Action, the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, has decades of experience in educating young people about various aspects of sexual and reproductive health, family life, interpersonal relationships and gender issues. UNFPA is the world’s largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programmes. The agency works with governments and non-governmental organizations in over 140 countries to support programmes
that help women, men and young people protect their sexual and reproductive health.

In the past, Population Family Life Education (POP/FLE) curricula and programmes were primarily focused on the biology of reproduction with emphasis on fertility reduction.
The interplay between gender relations and sociocultural contexts of the individual’s life was given little or no recognition. The curricula also tended to approach sexuality from a pregnancy and disease-mitigation standpoint thus reinforcing a somewhat negative view of sexuality.

However, sexuality education addresses the biological,socio-cultural, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of sexuality from the cognitive domain (information); the affective domain (feelings, values, and attitudes); and the behavioral domain (communication and decision-making
skills). (Guidlines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Nigeria).

The ICPD Programme of Action recognizes that “Human sexuality and gender relations are closely interrelated and together affect the ability of men and women to achieve and maintain sexual health and manage their reproductive lives.Responsible sexual behaviour, sensitivity and equity in gender relations, particularly when instilled during the formative years,enhance and promote respectful and harmonious partnerships between men and women”
ICPD Programme of Action, para. 7.34.

In line with this paradigm shift and following the National Council on Education’s approval of the Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) curriculum (formerly National Sexuality Education Curriculum), the UNFPA office in Nigeria has supported the State Ministry of Education in 12 of the UNFPA focal states across Nigeria to organize the Training of Master Trainers for the new FLHE curriculum and programme. These states include Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Borno, Delta, Edo,
Gombe, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Plateau and Rivers.

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES THAT WORK
“Research has shown that sexuality education programmes targeted at young people are most effective when they: give a clear, consistent message based on accurate information focus on reducing sexual behaviours that lead to unintended pregnancy and infection are specific to age and culture are based on a theoretical framework proven to change health behaviours use teaching methods that involve students are skill-based and address social pressures motivate and train teachers to participate”
- Douglas Kirby, UNFPA State of World Population 2003

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UNFPA's Renewed Agenda For Action
The partnership between UNFPA and the State Ministry of Education in the focal states is a particularly exciting development in view of the widespread coverage across the country. The focal states that participated in the
training represent almost 50 percent of the total number of states in Nigeria. National coverage is further enhanced by the number of schools that are likely to be covered after the step-down training in each state. This is thus, a
very significant step in scaling up the implementation of sexuality education and ensuring young people’s access to life-enhancing information and skills. With the trained teachers adequately prepared for classroom activities,
UNFPA has identified several action steps to facilitate the implementation process:

1. Advocacy for and planning with key stakeholders and collaborating partners including Parent-Teacher Associations, media, religious leaders, community leaders, association of school principals and Nigerian.
Union of Teachers.
2. Baseline survey on the current sexual and reproductive health status of young people to facilitate post implementation and evaluation.
3. Development of other monitoring mechanisms for classroom implementation.
4. Building technical capacity of school teachers to teach FLHE in Project schools (step-down training).
5. Development, production and distribution of the school scheme of work which serves as the framework for subject integration.
6. Development of students’ textbooks and other teaching aids such as posters and charts.
Family Life And Sex Education Resource Center Wishes UNFPA Successful Implementation.
Best Regards!

S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College TEENS, SEX & HEALTH - A Comprehensive Approach to Sexual EducationPSHE Activity Banks: Sex Education (11-16) Straight Talk to Teens about Sex and Morality How to Raise Boys' Achievement (Resource Materials for Teachers) The Difference It Makes: A Resource Book on Gender for Educators Feminist Resources For Schools

A CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY.

Having a GREAT Marriage

For Better: The Science of a Good Marriage
12 Hours to a Great Marriage: A Step-by-Step Guide for Making Love Last Making Marriage Work The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships

There are certain qualities that are part of every great marriage. The first letters of these five qualities spell the word “GREAT.” Let's review these qualities.

“G” Is for Good Communication
Covenant Marriage: Building Communication & Intimacy The Ten Commandments of Marriage Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Preserving a Lasting Love (New & Revised)

Communicating well with your spouse is absolutely crucial to having a great marriage. Communication is the way you let your spouse know what you are feeling and what you need from him or her. When you listen carefully, you are showing your spouse how important he or she is to you. When you talk with each other, make sure you give each other your undivided attention, make eye contact, and use good timing. If you and your spouse communicate well, you will be in the best position to fully appreciate each other and solve your differences.

“R” Is for Real Partnership
The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Know to Make Love Work Sacred Marriage Participant's Guide: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?

A marriage is a partnership and takes teamwork. When you are part of a team, the success of the team is always more important than your individual success. Make sure you support each other and avoid blaming each other when things go wrong. Take time to work out your differences together. Remember that it's more important to develop a solution than to prove a point or to win an argument. Your partnership is your first priority.

“E” Is for Effort
The Secrets of Happily Married Men: Eight Ways to Win Your Wife's Heart Forever Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage

Effort is what makes a relationship work. You cannot have a good marriage without putting in the time and energy to make it work. Many people think a good marriage should not take a lot of energy. Nothing is further from the truth! A great relationship is great because both people put in their complete effort to make it work. Make sure to give your marriage the time and energy that it deserves. Investing regularly and consistently in your marriage will be the best investment you will make in your entire life!

“A” Is for Adaptability
The Marriage You've Always Wanted Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs God Bless This Union Marriage Cross

Soul Mates
When things are not going as planned, sit down with your spouse and try to work out a new solution. You will feel closer to each other by trying to make the best of a difficult situation.
Being flexible is so important in a marriage. You know by now that things do not always turn out as you planned. The fuller your life is, the more things can go wrong! Perhaps the restaurant that you had your heart set on going to Saturday night is booked. Or maybe your spouse has no interest in saving money for the car of your dreams. If you figure out ways to make the best of a situation, then you will be a happier, more satisfied person, and you will have a better marriage, too!

“T” Is for Total Commitment
How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It How to Save Your Marriage Alone A Happy Marriage: A Novel

Remember that you need to stay committed to your relationship through good times as well as bad. When you are 100 percent committed to your marriage, it will be much easier to be there for your spouse. If you feel like walking out of your marriage whenever things get tough, you will be undermining your relationship. But if you always stand by your spouse through thick and thin, you will be making it clear that you are completely committed to him or her. When both of you are committed to each other, you will give each other a wonderful sense of security.

REASONS WHY MARRIAGES FAIL
I Don't Want a Divorce: A 90 Day Guide to Saving Your Marriage The Marriage Clinic: A Scientifically Based Marital Therapy (Norton Professional Books) The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships

All married couples are wishing for a happy and long lasting marriage but unfortunately a lot of marriages end up in divorce. The increasing divorce rate is a sad reality that you will sometimes wonder why most marriages do not last. What are the reasons why marriages fail?

There are many reasons why marriages fail but here are some of the common reasons:

COMPATIBILITY ISSUES.
We Can Work It Out: How to Solve Conflicts, Save Your Marriage (Perigee) 12 Hours to a Great Marriage: A Step-by-Step Guide for Making Love Last

You will normally hear that couples filed for divorce due to irreconcilable differences which is a proof that compatibility is very important if you want a long lasting marriage. Although no two people agree all the time, couples should find themselves compatible most of the time. Disagreement is a normal part of any marriage but constant dispute can get in the way of intimacy. Incompatibility is one of the reasons why marriages fail.

UNWILLING TO FORGIVE.
Courage to Love...When Your Marriage Hurts
Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs Marriage and Family: The Quest for Intimacy (7th Edition)

No one is perfect and people commit mistakes including your spouse. If you are unwilling to forgive your spouse, your marriage will eventually fall apart. Growing anger, resentment and blaming are some of the reasons why marriages fail. Harboring negative feelings and lack of forgiveness can totally damage your marriage.

EVADE REALITY.
Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage: America's Love Lab Experts Share Their Strategies for Strengthening Your Relationship
Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs

One of the reasons why marriages fail is the avoidance of facing reality. There are couples who pretend that they are still okay and the relationship is flawless to maintain a perfect public image when in fact their marriage is unhappy and troubled. Failure to recognize and accept the issues in your marriage can make the situation worse. The first step in saving a troubled relationship is facing reality and recognizing the problems in your marriage. If couples keep pretending that the marriage is not in trouble, nothing will be solved.

LACK OF COMMITMENT.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society: Intimate Relationship in a Changing Society Intimate Relationships, Marriages, and Families

People with commitment issues will find it hard to keep a long lasting relationship. Marriage is a lifetime commitment and one of the reasons why marriages fail is the lack of commitment. Devotion or dedication is important if you want to have a successful marriage and if you have commitment issues, it can be very hard to keep the marriage intact.

UNWILLING TO COMPROMISE.
THINK Marriages and Families

Disagreements do happen and if couples are unwilling to compromise during arguments, the marriage will eventually fall apart. It is important to know how to meet in the middle and compromise.

LACK OF FUN AND EXCITEMENT.
God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy (4th Edition)

Couples should add spice and excitement in the marriage to avoid boredom. Doing the same thing everyday can make the relationship dull and lifeless. To break the routine, couples need to get away from the norm once in a while. Lack of fun and excitement is one of the reasons why marriages fail.