Sexuality Education

Respectful Relationships & Safety

Steady or Not

This lesson helps students understand more about relationship building and the different types of love (e.g. familial, platonic, romantic). They will have the opportunity to better understand the considerations involved in making responsible decisions towards dating and romantic relationships and understand how to build healthy and supportive relationships, both online and offline.

· recognise the importance of monitoring and managing our emotional reactions, in helpful ways that are reflective of our values and principles

Term 1 Week 5

Lesson 1

· recognise   that there are different forms of love (e.g. familial, platonic, romantic love)

(60 mins)

· recognise the importance and understand what builds healthy and supportive relationships, both online and offline

· understand what dating is, and recognise that the readiness and interest in dating vary among individuals

Being Aware, Being Safe

This lesson focuses on helping students to be safe from the dangers of sexual grooming and on respecting one’s right to safety. Students will also learn about the legal provisions against sexual abuse, and the impact of sexual abuse on victims, including the psychological impact on the sense of self.

· understand that physical and psychological abuse from others, especially those we know and trust, can have strong negative effects on a person’s self-concept

Term 3 Week 1

Lesson 2

(60 mins)

More than Meets the Eye

This lesson touches on two areas relevant to an adolescent’s curiosity on matters related to sexuality – masturbation and pornography. Students will gain awareness of the health, legal and moral issues related to viewing, downloading and/or distributing pornography. While students may perceive watching pornography as a private issue without consequences to bear, they will learn that it could lead to addiction and/or other risky sexual behaviours.

· understand and accept that as we work towards becoming our best self, there will be times when we make mistakes, and recognise the importance of exercising moral courage in facing up to consequences

Term 3 Week 9

Lesson 3

· recognise that there are moral and legal consequences of risky sexual behaviours, pornography access and acting irresponsibly or maliciously when online (e.g. spreading of online falsehoods, flouting copyright laws, etc.)

(60 mins)

Respectful Relationships & Safety

A Role for Everyone

This lesson focus on how the family, culture and society can influence one’s perception of their gender roles. Students will learn what gender stereotypes are (e.g. males traditionally as breadwinners and females traditionally as doing household chores) and how gender stereotypes are formed. Students will discuss how one’s understanding of gender roles should not be limited by gender stereotypes, for example women can be pilots, while men can be nurses.

· know that one’s understanding of gender roles should not be limited by gender stereotypes

Term 1 Week 8

Lesson 1

· develop an appreciation of one’s own unique qualities and characteristics as a male or female

(60 mins)

Students learn to focus on their personal strengths to pursue their interests and build their self- confidence.

·    understand what sexual orientation entails

Students will also learn about the definitions of biological sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. They will learn to treat everyone with respect and empathy.

Online Safety Challenge

This lesson focuses on the issue of online grooming and cyber-flashing. It emphasises the need for help-seeking, peer support and positive peer influence. The lesson encourages the safe and responsible use of social media, and aims to deepen students’ conviction, and extend a call to action to students to taking appropriate decisions to safeguard their well-being and safety.

· recognise one’s vulnerability to risky situations and the importance of exercising discretion to reduce risks and avoid negative consequences, both online and offline

Term 1 Week 9

Lesson 2A

(60 mins)

Do I or Don’t I

This lesson focuses on respect for personal boundaries; and how to be safe from risky sexual behaviour, teenage pregnancy and abortion. Students will learn the importance of respecting one another’s boundaries in relationships. This lesson emphasises the importance of responsible decision-making, the value of sexual abstinence, the need for help seeking. Students will be aware of Singapore laws protecting minors, such as the legal consequences of having sex with a minor, abortion and the abandonment of babies.

· recognise the importance of self-respect and respect for others in relating to members of the opposite sex

Term 2 Week 2

Lesson 2B

· recognise one’s vulnerability to risky situations and the importance of exercising discretion to reduce risks and avoid negative consequences, both offline and online

(60 mins)

Respectful Relationships & Safety

Love Yourself, Love Others

This   lesson focuses on dating respectfully in healthy relationships. Students will   learn about self-esteem, their sources of influence (e.g. friends’   perception) on self-esteem, the impact of one’s self-esteem on our mental   well-being as well as relationships with others. Students will also learn how   emotional reactions can affect relationships positively or negatively.   Students will also learn that maturity and readiness are important when   entering into a dating relationship.

·    know that self-perception and identity have an   impact on our self-esteem and how we interact with others and the choices we   make, both online and offline

Term 1 Week 8

Lesson 1A

·    understand that expectations of oneself and others   may differ and can affect one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviours

(60 mins)

·    recognise what healthy dating relationships   involve and know that readiness is important when entering into a dating   relationship

Mending a Broken Heart Lesson 1B

Students   will learn how to manage their emotions if they were to face a breakup and   know that relationship building involves person emotions and vulnerabilities,   and changes and challenges. Students will also learn that a decision to end a   relationship will have consequences on oneself and others, and that grief and   loss due to rejections and broken relationships is normal and that one can   recover from the experience. They will learn that there are healthy ways of   coping with breakdowns in relationships and that family and friends are   important pillars of support.

·    know that relationship-building involves personal   emotions and vulnerabilities, and changes and challenges

• know that a decision to end a relationship will have consequences on oneself and others

• know that grief and loss due to rejections and broken relationships is normal and one can recover from the experience

Term 2 Week 6

(60 mins)

·    know there are healthy ways of coping with broken   relationships, and family and friends are important pillars of support

When Respect Takes Centre   Stage

This lesson aims to help   students think critically and make informed decisions in the contexts of   sexting and voyeurism, and encourages students to exert a positive influence   as a respectful online user. It will also deepen students’ convictions about   making moral decisions by taking into consideration the impact of their   decisions and actions on their well-being and safety, their loved ones, and   the community. Students learn that they have a right and responsibility to be   safe and protect their personal space and body. They also learn that sexting,   voyeurism and other related sexual offences are never justifiable and they   can seek help in times of need.

·    recognise the importance of being informed of   social and moral issues of the day and the need to reflect on these issues,   and weigh them against our own moral standpoints as we form our perspectives   about them

Term 2 Week 7

Lesson 2

·    understand that we strengthen our character when   we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and   decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs

(60 mins)

Respectful Relationships & Safety

Levelling the Ground Lesson   1

This lesson aims to help students think critically about gender stereotypes that exist in our society in the contexts of career and family (e.g. males typically perceived as main breadwinners and females typically perceived as main caregivers in the family), and the impact of these stereotypes on individuals. Students will learn to be aware of possible gender stereotypes that may affect one’s family and future decisions. They will also learn to reframe their perspectives and not judge others based on their own or others’ values and principles, with regard to gender stereotypes.

· understand what gender stereotypes comprise, e.g. notions of masculinity and femininity vary over time and space, and are shaped by societal expectations

Term 1 Week 9

(60 mins)

· know that imposing gender stereotypes on oneself and others can limit one’s experiences, cause harm to the self-esteem of oneself and others and should be avoided

When Love Hurts

This lesson aims to help students recognise unhealthy relationships and build their help-seeking skills. Students will learn to identify potential signs of an unhealthy relationship and recognise the different forms of dating violence. They will get to understand why dating violence occurs, why victims often feel “trapped” in such unhealthy relationships, and how one can get out of such a relationship safely. Students will learn when, where and how to seek help from trusted adults (e.g. family, teachers, school counsellors) in the supportive environment that they have if they or their friends are involved in an unhealthy relationship.

• know there are healthy ways of coping with broken relationships, and family and friends are important pillars of support

• recognise emotions caused by traumatic situations, e.g. bullying, abuse and dating violence, and understand the physiological and psychological, social impact on victims

• understand that we need moral courage and wisdom to recognise and end relationships that are unhealthy and cause harm to our mental and emotional well-being

Term 2 Week 4

Lesson 2

(60 mins)

· understand the importance of ensuring that non-verbal messages match with verbal ones, when communicating personal and emotional boundaries in a relationship

For Better or For Worse

This lesson focuses on building a positive relationship with one’s partner in a marriage. Students will understand that while a marriage, defined in Singapore as a union between a man and a woman, requires mutual commitment and effort like the other relationships in their lives, what sets a marriage apart is its lifelong commitment. Students will learn that what really matters in sustaining and maintaining a long-term romantic relationship leading to marriage, is understanding the other person’s perspective and effectively communicating with each other.

· know that long-term romantic relationships leading to marriage involve understanding oneself and others in the intellectual, emotional, social and moral dimensions

Term 2 Week 6

Lesson 3

· know that marriage entails a union between a man and a woman based on love, trust, commitment, and requires mutual effort

(60 mins)

· understand that conflicts are normal in any relationship, including marriage, and the way in which a couple handles conflict is critical to the success of their marriage

There’s Always More to a Story

In this lesson, students will revisit the impact of pornography and deepen their understanding on its impact on relationships. Students will also learn about revenge pornography, including its definition and legal provisions. They will also learn that they can turn to trusted adults for help in setting boundaries and overcoming difficulties in making sound decisions, to prevent themselves from encountering danger.

· understand that we strengthen our character when we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs

Term 3 Week 1

Lesson 4

(60 mins)

Respectful Relationships & Safety

This is Where I Draw the Line

In this lesson, students will understand that different individuals have different emotional and physical boundaries. This lesson highlights the need to respect the boundaries of others and reinforces the importance of showing respect to the opposite sex by using appropriate words and actions. Students will examine personal boundaries from different perspectives and learn the importance of making sound values-based decisions and acting in consideration of the well-being of themselves and others.

· understand that we strengthen our character when we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs

Term 3 Week 2

(60 mins)

Topics/Lessons

Programme Learning Objectives

Time Period
(e.g. Term 3 Week 9)

Mass Talk delivered through a pre-recorded video

· Raise awareness and provide knowledge on:

a)   Sexually transmitted infectious diseases (STIs and HIV): what it is, how it spreads, how to prevent infection mainly through ABC (abstinence, being faithful, correct, and consistent condom use), consequences and impact

b)   Skills for respecting boundaries (e.g. decision-making, assertiveness, negotiation to say ‘no’ to peer pressure)

c)   Managing relationships and risky situations in a healthy way, including avenues for help-seeking.

Term 2 Week 1

Classroom-based Lesson

· Learn to negotiate their way out of a risky situation by applying skills of assertiveness and responsible decision-making

Term 2 Week 2