First time talking about sex...

A few weeks ago I was in Samuel Ryder Academy teaching a lesson on Relationships and Christian Values. It would be fair to say I wasn’t completely sure about how these lessons were going to go. The idea of speaking about marriage and relationships, let alone sex in a classroom was daunting when I was a pupil let alone having to speak about it confidently with Year 9’s now. I was expecting the two extremes, either the classes would be silent and I would be trying to fill all the discussion time, or I would get bombarded with questions that would feel awkward to answer at best.

I am pleased to report that neither for the two extremes happened across the multiple times I taught this lesson. In fact it was the most incredible opportunity to help Year 9 students to think through what a healthy relationship looks like, as well as what an unhealthy one looks like. We were able to discuss what they might like from a relationship and what boundaries are important to them in a relationship. In giving them the opportunity to think through these things before they are in a relationship it enables them to feel more empowered and confident in who they are choosing to date. It also gave them the chance to think about what they are and aren’t comfortable with. It was such a privilege to see young people thinking through their priorities when it comes to dating and what their boundaries are.

Social media creates a narrative around relationships, marriage and sex that young people are absorbing daily, if not hourly. This narrative is not always healthy or real, creating confusion around the topic. Being about to unpack these subjects and speak into them in a non-confusing, non-judgmental way was such a joy and I am so pleased I stepped out of my comfort zone to do it. I am looking forward to teaching it again next year.