WHY REAL ESSENTIALS?
The REAL Essentials curriculum equips students with life skills for a positive future. REAL, Relationship Education And Leadership, empowers teens with the confidence to discern successful relationships.
Sexual activity is a risk factor unfavorable to an adolescent’s health. It increases the risk for STDs and untimely pregnancies, and it is associated with adverse psychological consequences such as feelings of disrespect, regret and a higher incidence of depression. Early sex is associated with other unhealthy behaviors such as multiple partners and condom misuse. The Risk Avoidance public health model has proven successful with the anti-smoking, anti-drug and anti-drinking campaigns. They all endorse abstaining from or avoiding behaviors that would likely keep individuals from completing their life’s goals. Research has found that SRA programs help teens to delay or discontinue sex if already sexually active.
From a public health perspective, teens are best served when their future outcomes are prioritized, and they are empowered to avoid risk.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
- Self-discovery
- Understanding differences in others
- Effective communication skills
- Foundations of a Healthy Relationship
- Decision making skills
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Strategies to overcome peer pressure
- Relationship Red Flags/Break-up Strategies
- Rise Above the Risk (STI and sexual risk)
- Road Map to Success
SCHEDULING
- At least four sessions recommended (depending on lessons taught and length of class) However, we are able to adapt to each school or organization’s schedule and needs. The curriculum is most effective when shared in individual classroom or youth group settings.
- Middle School and High School subject areas: Health, Family and Consumer Science, Human Development, Religion and Seminar classes
- Youth groups, community organizations, foster care support groups, summer camp settings and correctional institutions
ALIGNMENT WITH NATIONAL ACADEMIC STANDARDS
- https://www.myrelationshipcenter.org/…/Evidence-Based-Research.pdf.aspx
- https://www.myrelationshipcenter.org/getmedia/14fa08d8-9e5d-4e98-9b1a-2df9e3a875c4/Alignment-of-Subject-Areas-Outlined-in-2020-SRAE-FOA_1.pdf.aspx
Other Resources:
- Do We Really Care about the STD Epidemic Among Youth? – 2018 article
- Policy Priorities: Why Sexual Delay Should be the Goal in Sex Education…And Why Teen Pregnancy Prevention Isn’t Enough (PDF)
