GRADE SEVEN
HUMAN SEXUALITY
THE JOURNEY TOWARD Wholeness
Sexuality is a gift from God. It embraces psychological, spiritual and physical characteristics of men and women. We human beings need to integrate our sexuality into our total personality in order to develop into the persons God has called us to be.
OBJECTIVES
• To help the young adolescent appreciate the gift of sexuality. • 4OÏASSISTÏTHEÏYOUNGÏADOLESCENTÏINÏDEVELOPINGÏCORRECTÏANDÏPOSITIVEÏATTITUDESÏCONCERNINGÏ sexuality. • To clarify for the young adolescent how the gift of sexuality can be misused.
Grade Seven | Human Sexuality 53 I. SEXUALITY IN THE PLAN OF GOD
!Ï'IFTÏFROMÏ'OD
(UMANÏBEINGSÏAREÏCREATEDÏINÏTHEÏIMAGEÏANDÏLIKENESSÏOFÏ'ODÏ4HISÏMEANÏTHEYÏAREÏABLEÏTOÏTHINKÏANDÏMAKEÏCHOIC- ESÏh-ALEÏANDÏFEMALE Ï'ODÏCREATEDÏTHEMvÏ'ENESISÏ Ï'ODÏBLESSEDÏTHEMÏWITHÏEQUALÏDIGNITYÏANDÏENABLEDÏ THEMÏTOÏCOOPERATE ÏINÏTHEIRÏSEXUALÏUNION ÏWITHÏHISÏOWNÏCREATIVEÏPOWERÏ; Ï Ï Ï Ï=
(UMANÏBEINGSÏAREÏTHEÏONLYÏCREATURESÏCREATEDÏTOÏKNOWÏANDÏLOVEÏTHEÏCREATORÏ4HEYÏAREÏWILLEDÏINTOÏBEINGÏBYÏ'ODÏ FORÏTHEIRÏOWNÏSAKEÏANDÏCALLEDÏTOÏSHAREÏTHISÏKNOWLEDGEÏANDÏLOVEÏWITHÏOTHERS
"EINGÏMALEÏORÏFEMALEÏISÏAÏGIFTÏFROMÏ'ODÏANDÏISÏTHEREFOREÏGOODÏ3EXUALITYÏINCLUDESÏALLÏTHATÏMAKESÏAÏPERSONÏEITHERÏ male or female: • Physical characteristics and responses • Psychological characteristics • Emotional responses • Attitudes • The need and capacity for intimacy • The ability to participate in procreation
!LLÏOFÏTHESEÏTHINGSÏSHAPEÏWHOÏWEÏAREÏINÏOURÏRELATIONSHIPSÏWITHÏ'ODÏANDÏINmUENCEÏOURÏSPIRITUALÏLIFEÏ[369, 2332- 33, 2335]
"Ï!DOLESCENCEÏANDÏTHEÏ,IFELONGÏ0ROCESSÏOFÏ"ECOMINGÏ-ATUREÏ3EXUALÏ0ERSONS
Becoming a mature sexual person is a lifelong process. Adolescence is a crucially important time in this pro- cess. [2342, 2344]
,EARNINGÏTOÏAPPRECIATEÏOURSELVESÏANDÏOTHERSÏASÏWHOLEÏPERSONSÏBODY ÏMIND ÏANDÏSPIRIT ÏISÏESSENTIALÏTOÏBECOMINGÏ a mature human being. [362-66, 2393]
4HEÏSUCCESSFULÏINTEGRATIONÏOFÏSEXUALITYÏWITHINÏTHEÏHUMANÏPERSONÏnÏMAINTAININGÏTHEÏINTEGRITYÏOFÏTHEÏLIFEÏANDÏ LOVEÏWITHINÏTHATÏPERSONÏnÏISÏCALLEDÏCHASTITYÏ4HEÏCHASTEÏPERSONÏABSTAINSÏFROMÏUNLAWFULÏSEXUALÏACTIVITYÏFORÏEX- AMPLE ÏSEXUALÏACTIVITYÏOUTSIDEÏOFÏMARRIAGE Ï!LLÏPEOPLEÏAREÏCALLEDÏTOÏCHASTITYÏ[2337-38, 2345, 2348]
54 Grade Seven | Human Sexuality PRAYER EXPERIENCE
Read Genesis 1:27,31. Read paragraph 357 from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. • !SKÏTHEÏYOUNGÏPEOPLE Ïh7HATÏDOESÏITÏMEANÏTOÏBEÏMADEÏINÏ'ODSÏIMAGE v • ,EADÏTHEMÏINÏAÏPRAYERÏOFÏGRATITUDEÏFORÏBEINGÏCREATEDÏINÏ'ODSÏIMAGE • Conclude with the doxology: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
II. SEXUALITY AND THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
3EXUALITYÏMAYÏBEÏUNDERSTOODÏORÏMISUNDERSTOOD ÏESTEEMEDÏORÏDEGRADED ÏTREATEDÏRESPECTFULLYÏORÏABUSEDÏ)TÏISÏ ESSENTIALÏTOÏDEVELOPÏCORRECTÏATTITUDESÏTOWARDÏSEXUALITYÏ[386, 2331]
+NOWINGÏTHATÏWEÏAREÏMADEÏINÏTHEÏIMAGEÏANDÏLIKENESSÏOFÏ'ODÏISÏTHEÏBASISÏOFÏOURÏRESPECTÏFORÏOURSELVESÏANDÏOTHERSÏ 5NDERSTANDINGÏTHISÏANDÏESTEEMINGÏOURÏ'OD GIVENÏDIGNITYÏLEADÏUSÏTOÏAÏPROPERÏATTITUDEÏTOWARDÏOURÏSEXUALITYÏ [355-57, 369-70, 2331]
!ÏPOSITIVEÏATTITUDEÏTOWARDÏSEXUALITYÏINCLUDESÏRESPECTÏFORÏOURSELVESÏANDÏOTHERSÏ)TÏIS • 4HEÏREALIZATIONÏTHATÏMYÏBODYÏANDÏTHEÏBODIESÏOFÏOTHERSÏAREÏSACREDÏ[364, 2258] • 4HEÏACCEPTANCEÏOFÏMYÏBODYÏANDÏTHEÏBODIESÏOFÏOTHERSÏASÏGOODÏ[362] • #AREÏFORÏANDÏDEVELOPMENTÏOFÏMYÏWHOLEÏSELFÏnÏBODY ÏMINDÏANDÏSPIRITÏnÏANDÏTHEÏAPPRECIATIONÏOFÏOTHERSÏASÏ WHOLEÏPERSONSÏ[362, 364] • 2ECOGNITIONÏOFÏMYÏGIFTSÏANDÏTALENTSÏANDÏTHOSEÏOFÏOTHERSÏ[357-58] • 4HEÏABILITYÏTOÏREMAINÏOBEDIENTÏTOÏMYÏCONSCIENCE ÏEVENÏWHENÏTHISÏMEANSÏWITHSTANDINGÏTHEÏPRESSUREÏOFÏTHEÏ CROWDÏANDÏTHEÏREFUSALÏTOÏTEMPTÏORÏPRESSUREÏOTHERSÏTOÏACTÏAGAINSTÏTHEIRÏCONSCIENCEÏ[1777-78, 1784] • !WARENESSÏOFÏTHEÏIMMEDIATEÏANDÏLONG RANGEÏCONSEQUENCESÏOFÏMYÏACTIONSÏINÏMYÏOWNÏLIFEÏANDÏTHEÏLIVESÏOFÏ OTHERSÏ[1789] • The understanding that no one has the right to use or abuse me, or use or abuse another. [377]1
Ï ."Ï3EXUALÏABUSEÏISÏAÏGRAVEÏMORALÏEVILÏ4HEÏYOUNGÏADOLESCENTÏSHOULDÏKNOWÏTHATÏHESHEÏHASÏTHEÏRIGHTÏTOÏRESISTÏANDÏREFUSEÏSEXUALÏADVANCESÏFROMÏ ANYÏSOURCEÏWHATSOEVERÏ!NYÏCATECHISTTEACHERÏWHOÏBECOMESÏAWAREÏOFÏSEXUALÏABUSEÏINVOLVINGÏAÏYOUNGÏADOLESCENTÏSHOULDÏFOLLOWÏ!RCHDIOCESANÏPOLICYÏ PERTAININGÏTOÏTHEÏNOTIlCATIONÏOFÏTHEÏPROPERÏAUTHORITIES
Grade Seven | Human Sexuality 55 PRAYER EXPERIENCE
• 3HOWÏAÏPHOTO ÏPICTURE ÏORÏIMAGEÏOFÏAÏBABYÏDEVELOPINGÏINÏTHEÏWOMB • Pray Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16. • Conclude with the following: Before I was born, your love surrounded me. (young people repeat) You turned my nothingness into something. (young people repeat) And you created me. (young people repeat)
III. PROPER USES OF THE GIFT OF HUMAN SEXUALITY
!Ï3EXUALÏ&EELINGS
3EXUALÏFEELINGSÏREMINDÏUSÏOFÏTHEÏ'OD GIVENÏPOTENTIALÏOFÏOURÏSEXUALITYÏ)TÏISÏNORMALÏTOÏHAVEÏSEXUALÏFEELINGSÏ [1768, 1770, 2333]
7HENÏWEÏHAVEÏSEXUALÏFEELINGS ÏWEÏMAYÏSOMETIMESÏFEELÏCONFUSEDÏANDÏASHAMEDÏ(OWEVER ÏFEELINGSÏINÏTHEMSELVESÏ are neither right nor wrong. [1767-68]
/URÏRESPONSIBILITYÏISÏTOÏEXERCISEÏSELF CONTROLÏTEMPERANCE ÏINÏRELATIONÏTOÏOURÏFEELINGS ÏTHOUGHTSÏANDÏDESIRES ÏOUTÏ OFÏRESPECTÏFORÏ'ODSÏGIFTÏANDÏPLANÏFORÏUSÏANDÏOTHERSÏ[377, 2339, 2342]
!ÏSENSEÏOFÏMODESTYÏINÏDRESSÏANDÏBEHAVIORÏSHOWSÏRESPECTÏFORÏOURSELVESÏANDÏOTHERSÏ[2522-24]
"Ï2ELATIONSHIPS
7EÏREADÏINÏ'ENESISÏTHAT Ïh'ODÏCREATEDÏMANKINDÏINÏHISÏIMAGE ÏINÏTHEÏIMAGEÏOFÏ'ODÏHEÏCREATEDÏTHEMÏMALEÏANDÏ FEMALEÏHEÏCREATEDÏTHEMvÏ'ENESISÏ ÏAND Ïh4HEÏ,ORDÏ'ODÏSAIDÏ@)TÏISÏNOTÏGOODÏFORÏTHEÏMANÏTOÏBEÏALONEÏ)ÏWILLÏ MAKEÏAÏHELPERÏSUITEDÏTOÏHIMvÏ'ENESISÏ Ï!SÏWEÏCOMEÏTOÏKNOWÏPEOPLEÏOFÏTHEÏOPPOSITEÏSEX ÏWEÏALSOÏCOMEÏTOÏ BETTERÏUNDERSTANDÏTHEÏVARIETYÏANDÏDIVERSITYÏOFÏHUMANÏEXPERIENCEÏ; Ï Ï=
Sexuality affects all aspects of the human person in the unity of his body and soul. All of our human relation- SHIPS ÏWHETHERÏWITHÏPEOPLEÏOFÏTHEÏSAMEÏSEXÏORÏWITHÏPEOPLEÏOFÏTHEÏOPPOSITEÏSEX ÏAREÏMARKEDÏBYÏOURÏMASCULINEÏ and feminine characteristics. [369, 2332]
To be life-enriching, our relationships with others must be based on respect and trust. [1702, 1879]
#Ï3EXUALÏ5NIONÏINÏ-ARRIAGE
3EXUALÏUNIONÏWITHINÏMARRIAGEÏISÏAÏSIGNÏOFÏMUTUALÏSELF SURRENDERÏANDÏTOTALÏSELF GIVINGÏ; Ï Ï=
3INCEÏSELF SURRENDERÏANDÏSELF GIVINGÏFORMÏTHEÏVERYÏBASISÏOFÏLOVE ÏSEXUALÏINTERCOURSEÏISÏOFTENÏDESCRIBEDÏASÏMAKINGÏ LOVEÏ3EXUALÏUNIONÏINÏMARRIAGEÏISÏNOBLEÏANDÏHONORABLE ÏBRINGINGÏJOYÏANDÏPLEASUREÏTOÏTHEÏSPOUSESÏ;=
56 Grade Seven | Human Sexuality 3EXUALÏINTERCOURSE ÏBYÏITSÏVERYÏNATURE ÏISÏINTENDEDÏTOÏENABLEÏTHEÏMANÏANDÏWOMANÏTOÏCOOPERATEÏWITHÏ'ODÏTHEÏ Creator in bearing children. [372, 2366-67]
The total self-surrender and self-gift to another (of which sexual intercourse is the sign and expression), as well ASÏTHEÏPOTENTIALÏTOÏCREATEÏNEWÏLIFE ÏREQUIREÏTHEÏPUBLICÏUNCONDITIONALÏCOMMITMENTÏOFÏAÏMANÏANDÏWOMANÏTOÏEACHÏ OTHERÏWHICHÏONLYÏMARRIAGEÏCANÏPROVIDEÏ3ACREDÏ3CRIPTURE ÏTHEÏTEACHINGÏOFÏTHEÏ#HURCH ÏANDÏTHEÏEXPERIENCEÏOFÏ THEÏFAITHFULÏOVERÏTHEÏCENTURIESÏHAVEÏCONlRMEDÏTHISÏTOÏBEÏTRUEÏ; Ï Ï=
4ODAY ÏTHEÏNEEDÏFORÏTHEÏPUBLICÏCOMMITMENTÏOFÏMARRIAGEÏISÏCHALLENGEDÏBYÏMANYÏ(OWEVER ÏONLYÏTHEÏPUBLICÏANDÏ LIFELONGÏCOMMITMENTÏOFÏTHEÏMANÏANDÏWOMANÏCANÏPROVIDEÏTHEÏCONTEXTÏOFÏSECURITYÏANDÏTRUSTÏWHICHÏISÏNECESSARYÏ FORÏSUCHÏAÏTOTALÏGIFTÏOFÏSELFÏ4HISÏPUBLICÏCOMMITMENTÏISÏINTENDEDÏTOÏPROVIDEÏTHEÏSTABLEÏCOMMUNITYÏOFÏLOVEÏINÏ WHICHÏCHILDRENÏCANÏBEÏRAISEDÏINÏAÏFAMILYÏANDÏEDUCATEDÏINÏACCORDÏWITHÏTHEIRÏ'OD GIVENÏHUMANÏDIGNITYÏ; Ï 1648, 1653, 2390-91]
The sexual union of husband and wife in marriage has a two-fold purpose: the unity and good of the spouses THEMSELVESÏANDÏTHEÏTRANSMISSIONÏOFÏLIFEÏ; Ï=
3EXUALÏINTERCOURSEÏINÏMARRIAGEÏDEEPENSÏANDÏUNIQUELYÏEXPRESSESÏTHEÏLOVEÏBETWEENÏHUSBANDÏANDÏWIFEÏBYÏ; = • 3IGNIFYINGÏANDÏCOMMUNICATINGÏTHEIRÏINTERDEPENDENCEÏANDÏTHEIRÏMUTUALÏTRUST ÏlDELITY ÏANDÏACCEPTANCEÏ [1646, 2365] • %STABLISHINGÏTHEIRÏRELATIONSHIPÏASÏUNIQUEÏANDÏPERMANENT ÏTHEÏPRIMARYÏONEÏAMONGÏALLÏTHEÏOTHERÏHUMANÏ RELATIONSHIPSÏINÏTHEIRÏLIVESÏ; Ï= • Assisting both of them to grow in holiness and in their ability to place the needs and desires of the other ABOVEÏTHEIRÏOWNÏ;=
)NÏ'ODSÏPLAN ÏITÏISÏTHROUGHÏTHEÏACTÏOFÏSEXUALÏINTERCOURSEÏTHATÏHUMANÏBEINGSÏAREÏCREATEDÏ4HEÏHUSBANDÏANDÏWIFE Ï THROUGHÏTHEIRÏSEXUALÏUNION ÏCOOPERATEÏWITHÏ'ODÏINÏTHEÏACTÏOFÏCREATIONÏ&ROMÏTHEÏMOMENTÏOFÏCONCEPTION ÏTHEÏ CHILDÏTHUSÏCREATEDÏISÏTOÏBEÏCHERISHEDÏANDÏPROTECTEDÏ#HILDRENÏAREÏAÏPUBLICÏSIGNÏOFÏTHEÏCOMMUNITYÏOFÏLIFEÏANDÏLOVEÏ which a man and woman establish in their marriage. [372, 1652, 2367]
)NÏKEEPINGÏWITHÏTHEIRÏRESPONSIBILITYÏTOÏPROVIDEÏFORÏTHEÏWELL BEINGÏOFÏTHEÏCHILDRENÏTHEYÏBRINGÏINTOÏTHEÏWORLD Ï PARENTSÏMAYÏATÏTIMESÏlNDÏITÏNECESSARYÏTOÏUSEÏNATURALÏMETHODSÏOFÏFAMILYÏPLANNINGÏWHICHÏDOÏNOTÏABUSEÏTHEÏ LIFE GIVINGÏDIMENSIONÏOFÏSEXUALÏINTERCOURSEÏ; Ï=
Grade Seven | Human Sexuality 57 PRAYER EXPERIENCE
(AVEÏTHEÏYOUNGÏPEOPLEÏREADÏANDÏPRAYERFULLYÏREmECTÏUPONÏTHEÏFOLLOWINGÏ3CRIPTUREÏPASSAGES !NDÏLIVEÏINÏLOVE ÏASÏ#HRISTÏLOVEDÏUSÏANDÏHANDEDÏHIMSELFÏOVERÏFORÏUSÏASÏAÏSACRIlCIALÏOFFERINGÏTOÏ'ODÏ%PHE- sians 5:2) (AVEÏYOUÏNOTÏREADÏTHATÏFROMÏTHEÏBEGINNINGÏTHEÏ#REATORÏMADEÏTHEMÏMALEÏANDÏFEMALEÏANDÏSAID Ïh&ORÏTHISÏ REASONÏAÏMANÏSHALLÏLEAVEÏHISÏFATHERÏANDÏMOTHERÏANDÏBEÏJOINEDÏTOÏHISÏWIFE ÏANDÏTHEÏTWOÏSHALLÏBECOMEÏONEÏ mESH vÏ-ATTHEWÏ 4HEÏ.UPTIALÏ"LESSINGÏFROMÏ4HEÏ/RDERÏOFÏ#ELEBRATINGÏ-ATRIMONYÏSEEÏ0RAYERÏ%XPERIENCE Ï'RADEÏ Ï3ACRA- ment of Matrimony).
IV. ABUSES OF THE GIFT OF SEXUALITY
!Ï,ACKÏOFÏ2ESPECTÏFORÏ/URSELVESÏANDÏ/THERS
7EÏHUMANÏBEINGSÏDOÏNOTÏALWAYSÏUSEÏTHEÏGIFTÏOFÏSEXUALITYÏASÏ'ODÏINTENDEDÏ,ACKÏOFÏRESPECTÏFORÏTHEÏDIGNITYÏOFÏ the human person leads to wrong attitudes toward sexuality, which in turn lead to abuses of sexuality. Some abuses are: • Using our sexuality to manipulate other people for our own purposes or pleasure • &AILINGÏTOÏTREATÏOTHERSÏASÏPERSONS ÏAND ÏINSTEAD ÏTREATINGÏTHEMÏASÏOBJECTS • Trying to pressure others into doing things that are against their conscience • $ISREGARDINGÏTHEÏCONSEQUENCESÏOFÏOURÏACTIONS • &AILINGÏTOÏRESPECTÏOURSELVESÏASÏPERSONS ÏANDÏSOÏALLOWINGÏOTHERSÏTOÏTREATÏUSÏASÏOBJECTSÏ; Ï Ï=
4HEÏMOSTÏOBVIOUSÏEXAMPLESÏOFÏTHISÏLACKÏOFÏRESPECTÏFORÏTHEÏDIGNITYÏOFÏTHEÏHUMANÏPERSONÏAREÏPORNOGRAPHY ÏPROS- TITUTION ÏHUMANÏTRAFlCKING ÏANDÏRAPE • 0ORNOGRAPHY ÏPROSTITUTIONÏANDÏHUMANÏTRAFlCKINGÏTREATÏHUMANÏBEINGSÏASÏTHINGSÏANDÏEXPLOITÏTHEIRÏSEXUALITYÏ FORÏPLEASURE ÏPROlTÏORÏPOWERÏ4HROUGHÏTHESEÏACTIONSÏ'ODSÏGIFTÏOFÏSEXUALITYÏISÏCOMPLETELYÏDEBASEDÏ; = • 2APEÏISÏANÏACTÏOFÏVIOLENCEÏTHATÏGRAVELYÏINJURESÏTHEÏRESPECT ÏTHEÏFREEDOMÏANDÏTHEÏPHYSICALÏANDÏMORALÏINTEG- RITYÏTOÏWHICHÏEVERYÏPERSONÏHASÏAÏRIGHTÏ)TÏISÏALWAYSÏINTRINSICALLYÏEVILÏ;=
#HRISTIANSÏMUSTÏDOÏALLÏTHEYÏCANÏTOÏFOSTERÏRESPECTÏFORÏTHEÏHUMANÏPERSONÏ4HISÏINCLUDESÏREJECTINGÏANDÏCOMBATING • %VERYTHINGÏTHATÏMOCKSÏORÏDEGRADESÏWOMEN Ï; Ï Ï= • %VERYTHINGÏTHATÏMOCKSÏORÏDEGRADESÏMEN Ï; Ï Ï= • The abuse of children and youth, including sexual abuse, [2356, 2389] • !NYÏEXPLOITATIONÏOFÏSEXÏFORÏPLEASURE ÏPROlTÏORÏPOWERÏ; =
58 Grade Seven | Human Sexuality PRAYER EXPERIENCE
• Discuss what it means to manipulate and use other people. • (AVEÏTHEÏYOUNGÏPEOPLEÏGIVEÏEXAMPLESÏOFÏWAYSÏINÏWHICHÏSOMEONEÏhUSESvÏANOTHERÏSEXUALLYÏANDÏCALLSÏITÏhLOVEv • 2EmECTÏONÏHOWÏWEÏCANÏTREATÏONEÏANOTHERÏWITHÏRESPECTÏANDÏDIGNITY • Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. • 0RAYÏWITHÏTHEÏGROUP ÏASKINGÏTHEÏ(OLYÏ3PIRITÏTOÏGIVEÏTHEMÏSTRENGTHÏANDÏCOURAGEÏWHENÏTEMPTEDÏTOÏMISUSEÏ the gift of their sexuality.
"Ï-ISUSESÏOFÏ3EXUALÏ!CTIVITY
'ODÏHASÏGIVENÏTHEÏHUMANÏPERSONÏAÏBASICÏNEEDÏANDÏCAPACITYÏTOÏGIVEÏANDÏRECEIVEÏLOVEÏ/URÏEXPERIENCEÏOFÏLOVEÏ HELPSÏUSÏDEVELOPÏAÏSENSEÏOFÏSELF ESTEEMÏANDÏREDUCESÏOURÏSENSEÏOFÏLONELINESSÏ; Ï=
3OMETIMESÏPEOPLEÏUSEÏSEXUALÏACTIVITYÏASÏAÏSUBSTITUTEÏFORÏAÏBASICÏCOMMUNICATIONÏOFÏLOVEÏORÏTOÏMAKEÏTHEMSELVESÏ FEELÏIMPORTANT ÏPOWERFULÏORÏNEEDEDÏ3EXUALÏACTIVITYÏDOESÏNOT ÏHOWEVER ÏSOLVEÏUNDERLYINGÏPROBLEMSÏOFÏLONELINESSÏ and self-esteem. [1606-07, 2351]
7HENÏSEXUALÏACTIVITYÏISÏEXPERIENCEDÏOUTSIDEÏOFÏMARRIAGE ÏITÏISÏFUNDAMENTALLYÏDISHONEST ÏBECAUSEÏWEÏAREÏIMPLY- INGÏBYÏOURÏACTIONSÏTHATÏWEÏHAVEÏMADEÏAÏLIFEÏCOMMITMENTÏWHEN ÏINÏFACT ÏWEÏHAVEÏNOTÏ7EÏlNDÏOURSELVESÏFEELINGÏ MANIPULATIVEÏORÏUSED ÏASÏLONELYÏANDÏASÏEMPTYÏASÏEVERÏ; Ï Ï=
3EXUALÏACTIVITYÏOUTSIDEÏOFÏMARRIAGEÏISÏMORALLYÏWRONG Ï; Ï Ï= • 0REMARITALÏINTERCOURSEÏFORNICATION ÏDENIESÏTHEÏPUBLICÏCOMMITMENTÏOFÏTOTALÏSELF GIVINGÏWHICHÏISÏTHEÏPUR- POSEÏINTENDEDÏBYÏ'ODÏFORÏSEXUALÏINTERCOURSEÏ)TÏTHUSÏDEVALUESÏTHEÏGIFTÏOFÏONEÏPERSONÏTOÏANOTHERÏANDÏDE- grades them both. [2353, 2390-91] • %XTRAMARITALÏINTERCOURSEÏADULTERY ÏBETRAYSÏTHEÏTRUSTÏANDÏlDELITYÏWHICHÏAREÏNECESSARYÏFOUNDATIONSÏFORÏ MARRIAGEÏ"YÏDISRUPTINGÏTHEÏCOMMUNITYÏOFÏLIFEÏANDÏLOVEÏWHICHÏAÏMARRIAGEÏIS ÏADULTERYÏALSOÏTHREATENSÏTHEÏ well-being of the children. [2364-65, 2380-81] • 4HEÏDELIBERATEÏACTÏOFÏMASTURBATIONÏISÏMORALLYÏWRONGÏBECAUSEÏITÏISÏNOTÏATÏTHEÏSERVICEÏOFÏLOVEÏANDÏLIFEÏACCORD- ing to the design of God. [2352, 2396]
NB: At this age, masturbation can be a problem for some adolescents. The catechist/teacher should discuss it sen- sitively and cautiously. Although masturbation is objectively morally wrong, there are many factors which enter into the moral responsibility of adolescents in this regard. The Church recognizes that it is usually a symptom of more profound problems which cause sexual tension in the adolescent. Accordingly, the catechist/teacher should try to help the adolescents to move “toward integration, to be open and interested in others … advancing toward self-giving love.” (CF: Educational Guidance in Human Love, #98-100). • (OMOSEXUALÏACTIVITYÏISÏANOTHERÏMISUSEÏOFÏ'ODSÏGIFTÏ(UMANÏSEXUALITYÏISÏDESIGNEDÏBYÏTHEÏ#REATORÏTOÏEN- ABLEÏAÏMANÏANDÏAÏWOMANÏTOÏREPRODUCEÏ(OMOSEXUALÏACTIVITY ÏTHATÏIS ÏSEXUALÏACTIVITYÏBETWEENÏAÏMANÏANDÏ another man, or between a woman and another woman, contradicts this reality. [2357-59, 2360]
Grade Seven | Human Sexuality 59 7HENÏPEOPLEÏAREÏCONSISTENTLYÏATTRACTEDÏSEXUALLYÏTOÏOTHERSÏOFÏTHEÏSAMEÏSEX ÏWEÏSPEAKÏOFÏTHEMÏASÏHAVINGÏAÏSAMEÏ SEXÏATTRACTIONÏ4HISÏSAMEÏSEXÏATTRACTION ÏINÏITSELF ÏISÏNOTÏSINFUL ÏANDÏTHEÏPERSONÏHAVINGÏTHISÏATTRACTIONÏISÏTOÏBEÏ RESPECTEDÏANDÏLOVEDÏASÏAÏCHILDÏOFÏ'ODÏ(OWEVER ÏSUCHÏANÏATTRACTIONÏCANÏSOMETIMESÏLEADÏTOÏHOMOSEXUALÏACTIVITYÏ )TÏISÏTHISÏACTIVITYÏWHICHÏISÏAÏMISUSEÏOFÏ'ODSÏGIFTÏ; =
!LTHOUGHÏEACHÏOFÏUSÏHASÏAÏPARTICULARÏMASCULINEÏORÏFEMININEÏIDENTITY ÏINDIVIDUALSÏOFTENÏHAVEÏTRAITSÏORÏINTERESTSÏ that some in society attribute to the opposite sex. This does not mean that the person is homosexual. • 4HEÏUSEÏOFÏARTIlCIALÏMEANSÏOFÏBIRTHÏCONTROLÏISÏAÏMISUSEÏOFÏTHEÏLIFE GIVINGÏDIMENSIONÏOFÏSEXUALÏINTERCOURSEÏ [2370-71] • !BORTION ÏTHEÏDESTRUCTIONÏOFÏHUMANÏLIFEÏBEFOREÏBIRTH ÏISÏTHEÏULTIMATEÏABUSEÏOFÏTHEÏLIFE GIVINGÏDIMENSIONÏ OFÏSEXUALITYÏ)TÏISÏTHEÏULTIMATEÏSOCIETALÏEVILÏ#ONTRARYÏTOÏCHERISHINGÏANDÏPROTECTINGÏTHEÏLIFEÏWHICHÏ'ODÏHASÏ created through the sexual union of the couple, the father, the mother, or other parties decide to destroy that life. [2270-72]
PRAYER EXPERIENCE
• 4ELLÏBRIEmYÏORÏREADÏTHEÏSTORYÏOFÏ$AVIDÏANDÏ"ATHSHEBAÏUSINGÏÏ3AMUELÏ ÏNOTINGÏ$AVIDSÏTEMPTATION Ï HISÏADULTERY ÏHISÏATTEMPTÏTOÏCOVERÏUPÏHISÏSINÏBYÏTHEÏMURDERÏOFÏ"ATHSHEBASÏHUSBAND ÏANDÏTHEÏACCUSATIONÏ BYÏTHEÏPROPHETÏ.ATHANÏ3TRESSÏ$AVIDSÏTRUEÏSORROWÏFORÏHISÏSINSÏANDÏHISÏOBEDIENCEÏTOÏHISÏCONSCIENCEÏONCEÏ he recognized the wrong he had done. • +INGÏ$AVIDÏOFÏTHEÏ/LDÏ4ESTAMENTÏLOVEDÏ'ODÏGREATLY ÏYETÏHEÏSINNEDÏSERIOUSLYÏ)NVITEÏTHEÏYOUNGÏPEOPLEÏTOÏ REmECTÏBRIEmYÏONÏHOWÏTHEYÏCANÏLOVEÏ'OD ÏANDÏYETÏMAYÏSIN • (AVEÏTHEMÏREADÏTOGETHERÏTHEÏFOLLOWINGÏPSALM ÏWRITTENÏBYÏ$AVIDÏTOÏEXPRESSÏHISÏSORROWÏFORÏHISÏSINÏ0SALMÏ 51:1-8, 12-14.
V. WAYS TO FOSTER SEXUAL MATURITY
2ECOGNIZINGÏANDÏACCEPTINGÏOURÏSEXUALITYÏWITHÏITSÏSTRENGTHSÏANDÏWEAKNESSESÏAREÏESSENTIALÏTOÏOURÏBECOMINGÏ mature people. [2332-33]
!CCEPTINGÏOURÏSEXUALITYÏMEANSÏLEARNINGÏTOÏCONTROLÏOURÏSEXUALÏURGESÏ)NDEED ÏTHEÏPROCESSÏOFÏMATURINGÏINCLUDESÏ APPROPRIATELYÏRESPONDINGÏTOÏOURÏSEXUALÏURGESÏACCORDINGÏTOÏHUMANÏDIGNITYÏANDÏ'ODSÏPLANÏ; Ï Ï 2342, 2344, 2520]
!Ï2ESISTINGÏ4EMPTATIONS
,EARNINGÏTOÏRESISTÏTEMPTATIONÏISÏAÏNECESSARYÏPARTÏOFÏ#HRISTIANÏLIVINGÏ3ETTINGÏLIMITSÏnÏTHATÏIS ÏDETERMININGÏWHATÏ WEÏWILLÏDOÏANDÏWHATÏWEÏWILLÏAVOIDÏDOINGÏnÏCANÏHELPÏUSÏTOÏRESISTÏTHEÏTEMPTATIONSÏOFÏINAPPROPRIATEÏRELATIONSHIPSÏ ANDÏACTIVITIES ÏDRUGÏANDÏALCOHOLÏABUSEÏANDÏTHEÏPRESSUREÏOFÏMEDIA ÏMUSICÏANDÏTHOSEÏPEERSÏWHOÏENCOURAGEÏIRRE- SPONSIBLEÏBEHAVIORÏ; Ï Ï=
4HEREÏAREÏHEALTHYÏWAYSÏTOÏUSEÏOURÏENERGYÏTHATÏWILLÏHELPÏUSÏTOÏAVOIDÏTEMPTATIONSÏ3OMEÏOFÏTHESEÏAREÏTO
60 Grade Seven | Human Sexuality • Participate in sports and games, • $EVELOPÏONESÏTALENTS ÏHOBBIESÏANDÏINTERESTS • Volunteer to help others in the community. [1803, 2848]
)TÏISÏALWAYSÏPRUDENTÏTOÏAVOIDÏTHOSEÏSITUATIONSÏWHICHÏMAYÏLEADÏUSÏTOÏSINÏ9ET ÏEVENÏWITHÏTHEÏBESTÏINTENTIONS ÏWEÏ will sometimes experience temptations to use the gift of our sexuality inappropriately. Such temptations are moments of opportunity for us to be faithful to what God has called us to be. [1806, 2343, 2863]
*ESUSÏOURÏ3AVIOR ÏWHOÏHASÏCOMPASSIONÏFORÏUSÏINÏOURÏWEAKNESS ÏWILLÏALWAYSÏRESPONDÏTOÏTHOSEÏWHOÏTURNÏTOÏHIMÏINÏ PRAYERÏ4HEÏREGULARÏPRACTICEÏOFÏPRAYER ÏFREQUENTÏRECOURSEÏTOÏTHEÏSACRAMENTSÏANDÏ3ACREDÏ3CRIPTURE ÏANDÏCULTIVAT- INGÏMORALÏANDÏRELIGIOUSÏVIRTUESÏ;SEEÏ'RADEÏ3EVENÏ0ERSONALÏ'ROWTH Ï0ARTÏ)Ï4HEÏ(UMANÏ0ERSON ÏSECTIONÏ))=ÏWILLÏ strengthen us to choose what is right and to resist temptation when it occurs. [1784, 1802, 1811, 2340, 2849]
3ACREDÏ3CRIPTUREÏANDÏTHEÏLIVESÏOFÏTHEÏSAINTSÏPROVIDEÏUSÏWITHÏEXCELLENTÏEXAMPLESÏOFÏVICTORYÏINÏTHEÏSTRUGGLEÏAGAINSTÏ all temptation. The Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother, is a shining example of purity and intercedes for us in time of need. [2030, 2520]
"Ï$EVELOPINGÏ&RIENDSHIPS
&ULLYÏINTEGRATEDÏHUMANÏBEINGSÏNEEDÏTOÏDEVELOPÏAÏVARIETYÏOFÏRELATIONSHIPSÏWITHÏFAMILY ÏFRIENDSÏANDÏACQUAINTANC- es. We need to form friendships with persons of both genders. [2347]
Some of these relationships will be closer and more enduring than others. During young adolescence, exclu- SIVEÏDATINGÏSHOULDÏBEÏAVOIDEDÏ4HISÏLIMITSÏONESÏGROWTHÏANDÏOPPORTUNITYÏFORÏFRIENDSHIPÏWITHÏOTHERSÏ)TÏCANÏ also lead to inappropriate relationships, greater intimacy, and temptations which young adolescents are not prepared to handle.
#Ï3EEKINGÏ!DVICE
!DULTSÏCANÏBEÏPOSITIVEÏROLEÏMODELSÏFORÏADOLESCENTSÏLEARNINGÏTOÏFORMÏINTERPERSONALÏRELATIONSHIPSÏ0ARENTS ÏCATE- chists, teachers, priests, and religious, among others, can be of great assistance during this process of becom- INGÏSEXUALLYÏMATUREÏ&ROMÏTHEIRÏOWNÏEXPERIENCEÏTHEYÏAREÏAWAREÏOFÏTHEÏQUESTIONS ÏFEARS ÏANDÏSTRUGGLESÏWHICHÏ YOUNGÏADOLESCENTSÏHAVEÏANDÏTHEYÏCANÏBEÏOFÏHELPÏBYÏLISTENINGÏANDÏOFFERINGÏADVICEÏANDÏGUIDANCEÏ; Ï =
$Ï2ESPONDINGÏTOÏ'ODSÏ'IFT
)NÏ'ODSÏPLAN ÏOURÏSEXUALITYÏISÏINTENDEDÏTOÏADDÏTOÏOURÏJOYÏANDÏOURÏFULLNESSÏOFÏLIFEÏ; Ï Ï Ï=
The Holy Spirit is present in each of us to guide, strengthen, comfort, and challenge us. [1265-66, 1742]
Through prayer we are empowered to become the fully mature person God has called us to be. [2013, 2340, 2345]
%Ï3EXUALÏ!CTIVITYÏANDÏ,OVE
0ARTÏOFÏCOMINGÏTOÏMATURITYÏISÏTHEÏUNDERSTANDINGÏOFÏTHEÏRELATIONSHIPÏBETWEENÏSEXUALÏACTIVITYÏANDÏLOVEÏ; Ï 2346, 2360]
Grade Seven | Human Sexuality 61 • 3EXUALÏACTIVITYÏISÏINAPPROPRIATEÏFORÏTHEÏYOUNGÏADOLESCENTÏ4RUEÏLOVEÏREQUIRESÏUSÏTOÏRESPECTÏTHISÏFACTÏ; = • 4OÏSAYÏhNOvÏTOÏSEXUALÏINTERCOURSEÏBEFOREÏMARRIAGEÏWILLÏNOTÏLESSENÏGENUINEÏLOVE ÏBUTÏWILLÏHELPÏTHATÏLOVEÏTOÏ EVENTUALLYÏBLOSSOMÏINTOÏTHEÏCOMMITMENTÏOFÏMARRIAGEÏ; Ï= • 4HEÏLOVEÏEXPRESSEDÏINÏFRIENDSHIPÏISÏAPPROPRIATEÏFORÏTHEÏYOUNGÏADOLESCENTÏANDÏISÏAÏGOODÏPREPARATIONÏFORÏTHEÏ INTIMATEÏSHARINGÏOFÏLIFEÏANDÏLOVEÏINÏMARRIAGEÏ; Ï=
PRAYER EXPERIENCE
• !SKÏTHEÏYOUNGÏPEOPLEÏWHATÏAÏhTEMPLEvÏISÏ!ÏPLACEÏTHATÏISÏHOLYÏBECAUSEÏ'ODÏDWELLSÏTHERE • !SKÏTHEMÏTHEÏQUESTIONÏTHATÏ3TÏ0AULÏASKSÏINÏHISÏlRSTÏLETTERÏTOÏTHEÏ#ORINTHIANSÏÏh$OÏYOUÏNOTÏKNOWÏ THATÏYOUÏAREÏAÏTEMPLEÏOFÏ'ODÏANDÏTHATÏTHEÏ3PIRITÏOFÏ'ODÏDWELLSÏINÏYOU v • 'IVEÏTHEMÏSOMEÏMINUTESÏOFÏQUIETÏTOÏREmECTÏONÏTHEÏTRUTHÏTHATÏ'ODÏTHEÏ&ATHER Ï'ODÏTHEÏ3ON ÏANDÏ'ODÏTHEÏ (OLYÏ3PIRIT ÏAREÏDWELLINGÏWITHINÏTHEIRÏVERYÏBODYÏANDÏTHISÏMAKESÏTHEMÏAÏHOLYÏTEMPLE • Explain that the Sign of the Cross is an expression of our belief that the Trinity dwells within us. Then LEADÏTHEMÏINÏSLOWLYÏMAKINGÏANDÏSAYINGÏTHEÏ3IGNÏOFÏTHEÏ#ROSS
62 Grade Seven | Human Sexuality