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Sexuality

Abortion-The termination of a pregnancy before birth.

AIDS-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome -A disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The disease involves weakening of the immune system until it is unable to fight infections.

Birth control-The prevention of pregnancy, not diseases. Comes in many different forms including education, hormonal methods for women, surgery for men and women.

Bisexual-An individual who is romantically and physically attracted to both men and women. Bisexuals need not have had equal sexual experience with both men and women; in fact, they need not have had any sexual experience at all to identify as bisexual.

Cervix-The narrow lower part of the uterus, with an opening connecting the uterus to the vagina.

Clitoris-The female sex organ that is formed of spongy tissue and fills with blood during sexual excitement and is very sensitive to the touch. The tip of the clitoris is located between the labia at the top of the vulva. The clitoris extends into the body up to five inches.

Condom-A sheath of thin rubber, plastic, or animal tissue that is worn on the penis during sexual intercourse. It is an over-the-counter barrier method of birth control, and it also provides protection against the most serious sexually transmitted infections. See also female condom.

Ejaculation-The expulsion of seminal fluid from the penis, usually during orgasm.

Erection-When the penis becomes stiffened, or hard, by blood.

Female condom-A polyurethane sheath with flexible rings at each end that is inserted deep into the vagina like a diaphragm. It is an over-the-counter, barrier method of birth control that may provide protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Gay-A term for describing people attracted to members of the same gender (see gay man and lesbian). Avoid identifying gay men and lesbians as "homosexuals."

Gay Man-A man whose primary physical, emotional and/or spiritual attraction is to other men. Avoid identifying gay men as "homosexuals."

HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus -The virus that causes AIDS. HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids which include blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.

Hymen -A thin membrane that partially covers the vaginal entrance of most females at birth; although an intact hymen is sometimes erroneously thought to prove virginity, it can actually be broken by many activities besides intercourse.

Intercourse-sexual activity between two people in which insertion of the penis occurs. This can include vaginal and anal intercourse.

Lesbian-A woman whose primary physical, emotional and/or spiritual attraction is to other women. Avoid identifying lesbians as "homosexuals."

Lubrication-The slippery fluid secreted from the walls of the vagina during sexual arousal; also available in synthetic form to supplement or replace the natural version. The synthetic version is also used for activities that require lubrication such as anal intercourse

Masturbation-touching one's own sex organs for pleasure

Menstruation-The normal and natural flow of blood, fluid, and tissue out of the uterus and through the vagina that varies in length, but usually 4-7 days.

Oral sex-Oral stimulation of male and/or female genitals.

Orgasm-The peak of sexual arousal when all the muscles that were tightened during sexual arousal relax, causing a very pleasing feeling that may involve the whole body. Not synonymous with ejaculation.

Penis-A man's reproductive and sex organ that is formed of spongy tissue and fills with blood during sexual excitement, a process known as erection. Urine and semen pass through the penis.

Semen-The alkaline fluid expelled from the penis during ejaculation, containing fluids combined from several glands as well as sperm.

Sexually Transmitted Infection-An infection that is often or usually passed from one person to another during sexual or intimate contact.

Testicle-Two ball-like glands inside the scrotum that produce sperm.

Transgender-An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term may include but is not limited to: transsexuals, intersex people, cross-dressers, and their gender-variant people.

Vagina-The stretchable passage that connects a women's outer sex organs-the vulva- with the cervix and uterus.

Vulva-A woman's external sex organs, including the clitoris, the labia, the opening to the vagina, and two glands (the Bartholins glands) that produce some lubrication during sex play. Not synonymous with vagina.

Uterus-The pear-shaped, muscular reproductive organ from which women menstruate and where normal pregnancy develops.

Wet dreams-A slang word for nocturnal emission, a natural involuntary release of semen during sleep.

1. Recognize that we are all sexual beings. Yes, even your teens!
   We are sexual from the moment we are born until we die. In fact, sexual expression is a basic human need throughout our lives. It is perfectly normal for your teens to experience sexual feelings and curiosity. That's part of making the transition from adolescence to adulthood! But some parents worry that acknowledging these feelings or giving "too much" information about sex "too soon" will encourage their teens to become sexually active. Parental involvement in teens' lives actually helps create sexually healthy and responsible adults. You can't harm your children by talking openly and honestly about sex and sexuality. There's no such thing as too much information, too soon.
   
   
2. Don't Panic!
   In America, the average age of first intercourse is 16 for boys and 17 for girls. But this doesn't mean that all teens begin having intercourse when they reach these ages. Just because your teens ask you about sex doesn't mean that they're having sex. Remember, the more open and honest communication you have with your children about sexuality, the more likely they are to come back to you for information that will help them make healthy and responsible sexual decisions. So the next time your son or daughter asks you about sex, instead of avoiding the topic or jumping to conclusions, try using the following conversation pieces that keep the conversation going: "I'm glad you asked that, " "Good question!" " Do you understand what that means?" and " I don't know, but why don't we find out together?"
   
   
3. Avoid reinforcing stereotypical gender roles.
   Teens get all kinds of messages about what it means to be a man or a woman from the media, their schools, their friends, and their parents. Most of the time, what they see and hear promotes gender stereotypes like, "It's more important for women to be beautiful than to be smart," or, "to become a man you have to lose your virginity." These messages can have harmful effects on your teens and can cause them to become sexually active before they're actually ready. You can help dispel these myths by letting your teens know your values and your expectations for them and their future. Help them understand that becoming women and men has less to do with engaging in sexual activity and more to do with healthy self-respect and respect for others. Also remind them that the best dating relationships are those that are honest, equal, and responsible. And remember-teens often learn by example. What you model in your own personal relationships are often what teens believe good relationships should be.
   
   
4. Keep Talking!
   Parents often get caught up in having one big talk with their teens about sex-and then hope they're done. But the truth is, your teen needs to hear from you on a continuous basis. Each phase of their growth will present different situations and questions. Relax! Be receptive and let talking about sex be part of your lifelong relationship with your kids. Various opportunities arise to talk about sexuality, these include when watching a television show together, discussing current events in the media or newspaper, even music videos.

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