Friday, February 29, 2008
Teenage conceptions
From today's Times newspaper:
- "In 2006 the conception rate among 15 to 17 year-olds fell from 41.4 to 40.7 conceptions per 1000 girls. But the percentage of conceptions leading to a legal abortion rose by 4.9 per cent for the under 16s and by 4.5 per cent for all girls under 18"
Labels: Sex, Statistics
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Juno - film on the teenage pregnancy
This looks interesting - another film on the teenage pregnancy front. You can find the IMDB page here.
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Echo Park
I watched Echo Park last night. Not the greatest of movies, but one that demonstrates the judgementalism that so often alive in our churches. The film is basically about a 14 year old girl who gets pregnant while still being technically a virgin. She conceives as a result of "fooling around". For this reason, you might want to use this film to highlight that you don't have to have sex proper to get pregnant. There's are a few scenes that you could use to demonstrate this point. All of this results in her father disowning her. He is the local priest and it brings shame on the family etc. She is taken in by an Uncle who, unlike her father, accepts her for who she is. The Uncle has also taken in another disgraced member of the family who is gay....makes you wonder who was the most "Christ like"...the priest or the uncle?
Perhaps this could be used with my teenage pregnancy talk.
Perhaps this could be used with my teenage pregnancy talk.
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Sex infections continue to rise
Here are some stats from this article published on the BBC website yesterday:
"Young adults are disproportionately affected by STIs, accounting for 65% of all chlamydia, 55% of all genital warts and 48% of gonorrhoea diagnoses in genitourinary medicine clinics across the UK in 2006, the HPA found"
Labels: Sex, Statistics
Saturday, September 22, 2007
I prodounce you Chuck and Larry - film clip ideas
I'm in Singapore and I've just got back from a late night viewing of Adam Sandlers latest offering....I prodounce you Chuck and Larry. While the film was much like any other Sandler film (which I like!) it does have plenty of material for exploring issues such as acceptance / rejection / homosexuality / friendship. The film is about 2 best friends who are fire fighters (Charles and Lawrence) who decide to go for a marriage of convenience so that Lawrence can pass on his pension if he dies. They initially think it will be something that they can keep quiet, but it turns out quite differently. This them results in a series of events where they have to keep up this charade. As that plot is rolled out, they are exposed to prejudice as their once colleagues turn against them - there is a good scene where the Charles and Lawrence are pulled into the office my their boss because the rest of the team have raised a petition to get them moved on. After this meeting, Lawrence confronts the rest of the crew and reminds them of the times where they saved them....injustice...prejudice. There is also a time where the team walk away from Charles when he turns up to play basket ball, this scene turns into something good when one of the guys finds acceptance through what Charles and Lawrence are experiencing.
There are also some examples of clichéd evangelical right types who wielding banners tell them that they are going to burn for what they are....a good discussion in it's own right especially when read in the context of "love your neighbour", "Do not judge, and you will not be judged" ect etc.
Anyway...at the end of the film the rest of the fire department change their view and stand with them in the court, in the full knowledge that they may end up in jail...an example of what it means to be a friend...in fact you could say this film is an example of what it means to be a friend...to stand by your word...even when it costs you something
There are also some examples of clichéd evangelical right types who wielding banners tell them that they are going to burn for what they are....a good discussion in it's own right especially when read in the context of "love your neighbour", "Do not judge, and you will not be judged" ect etc.
Anyway...at the end of the film the rest of the fire department change their view and stand with them in the court, in the full knowledge that they may end up in jail...an example of what it means to be a friend...in fact you could say this film is an example of what it means to be a friend...to stand by your word...even when it costs you something
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Leaflets for display stand....
I noticed this request on the www.youthwork.co.uk message board for leaflets / booklets to put on an information stand - here are my thoughts...
There are lots of other leaflets I've come across, and they mostly seem to concentrate on drugs or sex. I'd like to see someone working on some other issues that seem to be overlooked (at least from a Christian point of view):
Before you set out a load of leaflets for your young people to browse, consider editing what information you should display and when. Some parents might object if you gave them access to certain leaflets - something you need to consider.
- There are some good leaflets at http://www.fpa.org.uk/products/sex_and_relationships_education_publications/
- The Pregnancy / 4girls / 4boys ones are quite good. If you ring them up they should give you some samples.
- There is always ask frank for drugs etc: http://ddshl.broadsystem.com/freeleaflets.aspx
- You might also want to contact your local pregnancy crisis centre (part or care) - http://www.careconfidential.com/
They had various leaflets that we thought were useful. - http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/ have free some leaflets on truancy - search for Trevor's dilema and Samena's nightmare
- Scripture union also have some resources that you might consider:
They did one called Help - sometimes life hurts but it's no longer listed.
- The home office also have a series of leaflets on various things, ie, making a victim personal statement. Maybe they have something you might want a copy of.
- There is also one called Stop and search - know your rights. See here for details. I'm sure there are other, similar ones out there..somewhere
- speak.org.uk produce a series of postcards that are designed to raise awareness of global issues of injustice.
- mind.org.uk have a series of information sheets about various subjects, such as self harm, depression, grief etc.
- Spring Harvest has produced some brief leaflets called Big issues
- See this post about booklets for those moving from primary to secondary school. Similarly, see this post about Life Actually for those leaving school
- If you are looking for leaflets to help parents, checkout http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/
- See my post about tracts
- I've not looked into it, but what about some promptional info for people like:
There are lots of other leaflets I've come across, and they mostly seem to concentrate on drugs or sex. I'd like to see someone working on some other issues that seem to be overlooked (at least from a Christian point of view):
- bullying
- grief
- divorce
- personal safety
- night clubbing
- depression / mental health issues
Before you set out a load of leaflets for your young people to browse, consider editing what information you should display and when. Some parents might object if you gave them access to certain leaflets - something you need to consider.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Sexual health map of Britain
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
PSHCE & Sex
I just had an email from someone asking about resources about sex ed etc. Here are a few interesting places to look:
- Faithworks Esteem
- Romance academy
- Care's Pregnancy Crisis Centres
- The FPA do loads of leaflets. If you ring them up they should send you some samples free of charge. We found the Below the Bra, Below the belt, Pregnancy: A young persons guide quite good
Labels: Sex
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Teen Pregnancy
I've just noticed that www.independence.co.uk have just published Teen Pregnancy and Lone Parents.
If it's like their other publications it will be full of useful facts / statistics etc.
If it's like their other publications it will be full of useful facts / statistics etc.
Labels: Sex
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Girl gives birth while at school
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Teenage risky behaviour, including the latest figures on sexual activity
Some more quotes from http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk and be found here:
See http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk for the references
- "When asked why they had sex for the first time, 20% of men and13% of women aged 15-19 said alcohol was the main reason."
- "One in five girls aged 16-18 has used emergency contraception(the morning after pill). Emergency contraception pills can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but are more effective in the first 24 hours. An emergency IUD (coil) can be inserted up to 5 days after."
- "One in nine sexually active teenagers has an STI."
See http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk for the references
Labels: Sex, Statistics
Sunday, October 22, 2006
But I'm a Cheerleader - talk idea
We watched But I'm a Cheerleader last night - great satire on the subject of homosexuality. I think this would make a better clip for the homosexuality talk I did here. You'd probably just show the first bit the film where the send her off to rehab and she had to admit she's a "homosexual".
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Monday, August 14, 2006
BBC: Third 'have sex below legal age'
From the BBC website: Nearly a third of 16 to 24-year-olds lost their virginity below the age of consent, a survey has found.
Labels: Sex, Statistics
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Births out of wedlock 'pass 40%'
Labels: Sex, Statistics
Monday, February 13, 2006
Virtual Sexuality
I've just got around to uploading my old talk on Sex and relationships. It's based around the film Virtual Sexuality with some "myths" that were raised in an article in youthwork magazine some years ago.
Technorati tags: youth work, youth talks, relationships
Technorati tags: youth work, youth talks, relationships
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Teenage pregnancy talk
I've just uploaded the first draft of my teenage pregnancy discussion. You can find it here.
Technorati tags: youth work, youth ministry, youth talks, youth ministry resources, teenage pregnancy
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Monday, October 31, 2005
I can't belive it's happened to me...
The briefing from child line arrived...it's an 8 page document outlining the issues / dilemma's that mostly teenage girls called about. There are some incidental stats about who called them and their situation. From an education point of view, it seems to advocate a peer-lead sex education program. The briefing also highlights a number of the issues that young people fear the most / shy away from when it comes to this issue. It could be useful in knowing what issues to raise when we lead our session on this topic:
- the morning after pill, how / where / what / when
- who's responsibility is contraception?
- what if I get thrown out by my parents?
- can you trust your doctor...will they tell?
I beginning to wonder if we should spend two sessions on this...
Indecently, I found this on peer lead sex ed http://www.europeer.lu.se/index.2081---1.html
Labels: Sex
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Some stats on our region
Some stats about our area from Scarborough Borough Council "All together better"
- 27.5% of the population are aged over 60, compared with an average of
20.9% nationally. Only 21.9% of the population are aged between 20 and 39,
compared to 28.1% nationally - The highest rate of teenage pregnancy in North Yorkshire, and the highest infant
mortality rate
Here's some more...a report entitle "our region our health"
- There are 1,800 extra deaths each year in Yorkshire and Humber compared to the
national average. On average, people die earlier in this region than elsewhere and
there is no indication that this inequality is decreasing. - 29% of Yorkshire and Humber wards are in Englands top 20% most deprived.
Children are much more likely to live in low income or workless households. - Road traffic accidents are the most significant cause of death in the 1-19 age groups.
- Males aged 1-19 years are almost twice as likely to die from an accidental injury as females in
the same age group. - In Yorkshire and Humber region, the death rate from accidental injury in those aged 0-14 years
is strongly associated with socio-economic status (Figure 7). - The Teenage Pregnancy Unit estimate that there were nearly 7,000 mothers aged under 20 years
in the Yorkshire and Humber Region in 2001. - There were 4,434 conceptions under the age of 18 years in the Yorkshire & Humber Region in
2001. - There were 1,632 live births to women aged under 18 years in 2002.
- It is clear that meeting the target of 60% of teenage mothers participating in education,
employment or training by 2010 remains a significant challenge. - Levels of educational attainment in Yorkshire and Humber lag behind most other regions, and six of our districts have particular challenges in ensuring that children achieve five or more GCSE passes graded A+-C.
- Yorkshire & Humber region has the second lowest levels of literacy and numeracy among adults in the English regions
- The region educates a large number of graduates (over 26,000 per annum), but only 42% remain in the region. This compares with London and the South East who import 40% more graduates than are educated there.
Labels: Sex, Statistics
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Infidelity talk version 2 - With Along Came Polly
I've found a better clip to go with the Infidelity talk I did a couple of weeks ago...The first 10 minutes from Along Came Polly. It's funnier and also better suited for the younger audience...Check it out here.
Technorati tags: youth ministry,youth ministry resources,quiz,games, Infidelity
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Coach Carter...
I watched Coach Carter the other day...an enjoyable 'feel good' movie about a school basket ball team. Basically, the school is looking for a new basket ball coach. Ken Carter comes along and sort out the team, gets them working together and they start winning etc...you know the story...
Here are some possible ideas for discussion:
Determination / working as a team
32 - 40 mins. In this scene, one of the team who quit because he couldn't hack it returns to see if he can play. Carter says he can if he can complete 10000 suicides and 25000 press ups before the end of the week...an impossible task. However, he goes for it... On the Friday is has all but completed the work, but he is exhausted. He is told that he has failed...the rest of the team spontaneously offer to do the remainder for him.
Making tough decisions...
About two thirds through the film, Carter discovers that some of the team are failing academically...he decides to shut the gym and tells them that there will be no play until they get their grade average up...he gets loads of agro from parents / head teacher / community, but he sticks to his guns.
Teenage pregnancy
There are some references to teenage pregnancy in the film, but not really suitable for discussion....not 'exciting' enough, however, for reference the scenes of interest are at
Technorati tags: youth work, youth ministry, youth talks, youth ministry resources
Here are some possible ideas for discussion:
Determination / working as a team
32 - 40 mins. In this scene, one of the team who quit because he couldn't hack it returns to see if he can play. Carter says he can if he can complete 10000 suicides and 25000 press ups before the end of the week...an impossible task. However, he goes for it... On the Friday is has all but completed the work, but he is exhausted. He is told that he has failed...the rest of the team spontaneously offer to do the remainder for him.
Making tough decisions...
About two thirds through the film, Carter discovers that some of the team are failing academically...he decides to shut the gym and tells them that there will be no play until they get their grade average up...he gets loads of agro from parents / head teacher / community, but he sticks to his guns.
Teenage pregnancy
There are some references to teenage pregnancy in the film, but not really suitable for discussion....not 'exciting' enough, however, for reference the scenes of interest are at
- 15 mins..Kenyon discovers he's going to be a father...she tells him she missed her period and passed 3 pregnancy tests
- 35 mins...Kenyons is trying to get it, but can't because the baby is crying...
Technorati tags: youth work, youth ministry, youth talks, youth ministry resources
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
More Teen pregnancy movies
Still not received the book on Teen pregnancy from Child Line...shame...anyway, here are some other movie ideas:
- What Women Want - Alex gets dumped at the prom because she refuses to have sex with her date
- Kids? - this is probably not a film we can use as it's an 18. It does however look at the consequences of unprotected sex etc...read the write up...it says it's a bit like this years "thirteen" which was a very good film.
- Bellyfruit - I'd have to get a region 1 import, but it follows the story of three teenage mothers...
- Riding in Cars with Boys - the story of a teenage mother...
- Saved! - "When a girl (Jena Malone) attending a Baptist high school becomes pregnant, she finds herself ostracized and demonized"
I think I'm going to try and get hold of Riding in Cars with Boys and Saved!
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
A bit more on Teen pregnancy
Here's an update on the research...
Fifteen and Pregnant
Fifteen and Pregnant
- Scene 7 (42 - 49 mins ish) - she tells the class about what happens after the birth...only one of her friends stuck by her...she has to work some dead end job...
- Scene 9 (57 mins - 59:50ish) - Tina tells her mother how it is. It's kind of a discussion about the consequences of been pregnant.
- Scene 13 - Tina gives birth. There's lots of huffing, puffing, screaming
- 1 hour 17 mins - 1 hour 19 mins. Rizzo owns up to 'skipping a period'. Not a brilliant clip, but could be an option. It would actually work better as a clip about gossip.
- See my talk on abortion...may be we could use the same clip.
- How do I know if I'm in love? Will sex bring me closer to my girlfriend/boyfriend?
- How will I know when I'm ready to have sex? Should I wait until marriage?
- Will having sex make me popular? Will it make me more grown-up and open up more adult activities to me?
- How do I tell my boyfriend that I don't want to have sex without losing him or hurting his feelings?
- How do I manage pressure from my girlfriend to have sex?
- How does contraception work? Are some methods better than others? Are they safe?
- Can you get pregnant the first time?
- Finding yourself in a sexually charged situation is not unusual; you need to think about how you'll handle it in advance. Have a plan. Will you say "no"? Will you use contraception? How will you negotiate all this?
- http://www.nya.org.uk/templates/internal.asp?nodeid=90614#Health
- http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/teenssex/l/blbcmyth.htm
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Teenage pregnancy...heaven and hell...body image...
Teenage pregnancy
- So obvious that I overlooked it: http://www.romanceacademy.org/
- I noticed that CARE have some kind of project / resource called Evaluate...that tries to promote abstinence. It refers to teenage pregnancy issues. I've dropped them an email to see how it works. Care also run a website called care confidential. This offers free advice to anyone who finds themselves pregnant. They have a leaflet called options that basically says: parenting, adoption, abortion. Maybe we could use that in part of the discussion...what would you do etc.
Heaven and Hell talk
- I found this talk outline for a film called What Dreams May Come on www.myfishbites.com. It looks like a good starting point.
- I did a talk back in 2002 that was based on the movie Ghost...the bit where Sam is mugged / killed...maybe I could adapt that. I'll have to try figure out why I didn't upload it to the talk section...maybe it was based on someone else's material...
- There's always my favourite movie...Forest Gump...his mother is dieing...she say "death is part of life"...Bubba dies in his arms...Jenny dies...a lot of people die...
Body image
- The site gives a few prices on what various cosmetic surgery costs
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Research update
Teenage Pregnancy
- Childline have an information sheets on Pregnancy & contraception (click to download)
- They also have a publication called 'I can't belive it's happened to me...' by Gill Keep. It's 'A Childline study on teenage pregnancy'. I think I'll order it.
Self harm
- I just noticed that Bristol Crisis Service for Women are running a series of one day workshops this month entitled 'Working with people who self-injure'. Dates are 6, 7th, 17th and 25th Oct. I wouldn't have minded going, but I guess it's too late now...
Gossip
- Just watched the film Gossip. I'm thinking of using a clip from 4 mins 30 sec - 25 mins (from the start of the film). The film is a 15 and includes a few sexual references, but that's probably ok for our group as they are older. The basic idea is that the characters start a rumour to see how it spreads. The clip covers the beginning, middle and end. It shows how the initial rumour changes to be quite different to the original....
Clubbing
- I also watched It's all gone Pete Tong. Very entertaining...and funny (in a dark sort of way) just don't watch it if you object to the 'f' word. It does, however, explorer the very real paradox of those who love music and are deaf. I don't think this is a film that came be used as an analogy / intro to a talk, as the language is too strong, it full of drugs and sex etc....it would need editing. It does however have lots of cracking tunes in it...
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Spanglish
Watched Spanglish last night, there was much more to it than I was expecting. Here are some ideas on how you could use this film:
- Sexual temptation - near the end of the film John and Flor are tempted to get it on, but choose not to...makes a nice change for a movie!
- In scene 6 & 7 there are issues raised about Christia's body size
- It also raises issues about success - what is it? is it a good thing?
Labels: Sex, Video clip ideas
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