Agenda

1. Unitarian Universalist General AssemblyFt. Lauderdale, FLYouth and Adult Partnerships: Comprehensive Sex EducationBen Barrows, Grace Garner, Meredith Schonfeld-Hicks, and Emily GoodsteinJune 27, 2008

2. Agenda • Quiz • Introductions • Short Presentations • Scenarios • Questions • Closing

3. Quiz Question #1 True or False: “Millennials” are the generation born between 1982 and 2002. TRUE

4. Quiz Question #3 True of False: The generation before Millennials is the Baby Boomer generation. False: The previous generation is Gen X

5. Quiz Question #4 Which of the following infections can you get from oral sex? Herpes Gonorrhea Syphilis All of the above

6. Quiz Question #5 True or False: Fewer than half of all sexually active adult men in the United States receive any sexual or reproductive health services each year. TRUE Only 48% of sexually active men aged 20-44 reported receiving any sexual or reproductive health services in the past year, most commonly a testicular exam (35%) or services for HIV (21%) or other STDs (19%). (Guttmacher Institute)

7. Quiz Question #6 How many federal funding streams are there for abstinence-only-until marriage programs? One Three Five

8. Quiz Question #7 The term “abstinence education" as defined by Section 510(b) of Title V of the Social Security Act, P.L. 104-193 means an educational or motivational program which: Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of sexual activity Teaches that sexual activity outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical side effects Teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society All of the above

9. Quiz Question #8 A true youth-adult partnership is: Having one youth on a board of directors or council Assigning youth only those tasks which adults do not want to fulfill Having young people around with no clear role to play One in which each party has the opportunity to make suggestions and decisions and in which the contributions of each are recognized and valued

10. Quiz Question #9 Approximately how much money has Congress allocated for abstinence-only sex education programs over the past decade? Over 1.5 million Over 15 million Over 1.5 billion Over 15 billion

11. Quiz Question #10 How much of prevention spending does the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (or PEPFAR) mandate must be directed  towards abstinence-only programs in focus countries? 1/3 1/4 1/5 1/8

12. BONUS Quiz Question How many federal funding streams are there for comprehensive sex education? Zero One Two Three

13. Introductions • Ben Barrows • Advocates for Youth High School Organizer • Grace Garner • UUA Washington Office for Advocacy • Emily Goodstein • Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice • Meredith Schonfeld-Hicks • Advocates for Youth

14. Spectrum of Attitudes Youth as Objects Adults know what is best for young people and control situations in which they allow them to be involved

15. Spectrum of Attitudes Youth as Recipients Adults allow young people to take part in decision-making because they think the experience will be “good for them.”

16. Spectrum of Attitudes Youth as Partners Adults respect young people as having something significant to offer now, and recognize the greater impact youth bring to a project. Youth are encouraged to become involved.

17. Youth-Adult Partnerships True partnerships are ones in which each party: • Has the opportunity and support to make decisions • Is recognized and valued for their contributions

18. Effective Elements of YAP • Training provision – both youth and adults • Flexibility and patience • Participation valued • Reciprocal teaching/learning • Ongoing sense of humor • Clear goals • Shared decision-making power • Commitment from highest level • Clear roles and responsibilities • Selectiveness

19. What are Millennials • Born between 1982 and 2002 • More affluent, better educated, and more ethnically diverse than any generation in recent memory • Hypercommunicators: Constantly in touch via cell phones, PDAs, internet, email, IM • Multi-taskers: Can watch TV, talk on the phone, surf the net and IM all at the same time Source: “Digital Kids: Who They Are, How They Learn” http://www.apple.com/education/digitalkids/

20. Generational Gap Baby Boomers Millennials Gen X 1982 2002

21. Generational Gap Baby Boomers Millennials Gen X

22. Generational Gap • In their lifetime, AIDS has always existed. • President Kennedy’s assassination is as significant to them as that of Lincoln or Garfield. • Yugoslavia has never existed. • They do not care who shot J.R. and have no idea who J.R. is. • Bert and Ernie are old enough to be their parents. • Barbie has always had a job. • Computers have always fit in their backpacks. Source: Beloit College “Mindset List,” Classes of 2002-2007

23. Generational Gap

24. 7 Core Traits • Special • Sheltered • Confident • Team-Oriented • Conventional • Pressured • Achieving

25. 1. Special “A special child also wants to go to a special institution, where he or she will be prepared to play a special role.” • 75% of incoming freshmen have never shared a room • High expectations of the college experience and services offered • “The Team” - College choice is a co-purchase • Wants to be valued as unique, but also wants to fit-in.

26. 2. Sheltered “From parental controls online, to ratings of video games and music, to graduated drivers licensing, to metal-detectors in schools, Millennials’ parents have sought to keep their children safe.” • “Helicopter parents” • FERPA waiver • Zero-tolerance – harsh punishment for rule breakers • Seek Structure and Respect Authority

27. 4. Team-Oriented “Millennials love group work, cooperative activities like volunteer service, and participation in something larger than the individual.” • Conformity is a motivator • Collaboration in and out of the classroom— working in pairs or groups is key. • Tend to socialize in groups

28. 6. Pressured Top two concerns of teens: • 1974 • Nuclear War • Stagflation • 1984 • AIDS • Violent Crime • 1999 • Grades • College Admissions

29. 6. Pressured “There’s a new ‘arms race’ among today’s teens, and it’s called: ‘Getting Into College.’” • Minimize risk and avoid failure • Effort + Planning = Success • Stressed and ambitious • Challenged to balance ‘building a resume’ with ‘building a life’

30. Technology & Identity The integration of technology into daily life translates well into Millennials’ identity. “For contemporary college students, identity is multiple and distributed like a set of ‘windows’ on a computer screen….” Source: Draft Brandeis Study, “Jewish Life on the American College Campus: Realities and Opportunities,” (2004), citing Sherry Turkle (1995)

31. What does it all mean? 7 Core Traits • Special • Sheltered • Confident • Team-Oriented • Conventional • Pressured • Achieving • Millennials “rebel” by conforming • They are pressured and high achievers • Looking to build their resumes • Want to volunteer • Favor informal and spiritual approaches to religion

32. Case Study • Advocates for Youth • Joseph Priestly District Youth Steering Committee • Gay Straight Alliance • County and State Student Member of the Board candidate • Partnerships with key adults

33. Importance of Youth-Adult Partnerships • Youth social action skills is key for the future • Adults have the experience and skills necessary to help • Youth and adults bring different perspectives and experiences to the table

34. Tips • Listen • Learn • Respect • Represent

35. Listen • Stereotypes are misleading • To Youth: • Listen to what adults have to say! Generally, they are there to help you accomplish your goals. • To Adults: • Today’s youth are speaking out in louder and louder volumes. If you listen to them, your bound to hear some pretty impressive things. • Gay Straight Alliance example

36. Learn • Each age group generally has something it can teach • To Youth: • Adults have been around a bit longer, and chances are they have some stories to tell. There are several things you can learn from their experiences. • To Adults: • An open mind in youth/adult partnerships leaves you open to learning something that will assist you in your activism • Unitarian Universalist Mid Atlantic Community board example

37. Respect • As activists, we should treat each other as equals. • To Youth: • Remember, adults who you are working with are trying to help reach the same goal. • To Adults: • Consider giving youth their space at some points to further develop; it’s not a lack of gratitude, just a desire for a sense of identity. • Joseph Priestly District Youth Steering Committee example

38. Represent • “Representing” your uniqueness can only benefit the group. • To Youth: • Don’t be afraid to speak up! People are more then willing to listen, and youth who speak out tend to have the loudest voices. • To Adults: • Speak to teach, but also be heard! • The expression of individuality at all age levels along with cooperation has led to the most success.

39. Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (SEAT)

46. Thank you Ben Barrows pgrasglobbyday@gmail.com Grace Garner GGarner@uua.org Emily Goodstein EGoodstein@rcrc.org Meredith Schonfeld-Hicks Meredith@AdvocatesforYouth.org