FIVE PRINCIPLES OF SEXUAL RESPONSIBILITY
1.
Having the Courage to Get Adequate Sexual Knowledge
In the past, having little or
no sexual knowledge indicated that women were sexually
inexperienced. Today inadequate sexual knowledge is one of
the major reasons we engage in sexual practices without
fully understanding the consequences of this behavior and
the impact of poor decision-making where sexual matters are
concerned. Knowledge alone does not necessarily change risky
behaviors, but it can provide the basis for decisions that
promise sexual health.
2.
Connecting Our Family
Values to Sexual Socialization and Sexual Behavior
Parents need to take a much more active
role in discussing any and all sexual topics. Most
importantly, parents need to be involved in all aspects of
their children’s lives, gradually letting the children be
responsible for themselves. We cannot depend solely on
schools and churches to educate our children about human
sexuality. We also need to be a part of the educational
process. From these efforts, a new generation of
knowledgeable and responsible youths can emerge.
3.
Protecting One Another
from Abuse and Exploitation
Black women are more likely to be
sexually abuse than they are to get married or go to
college. We also have to stress disclosing negative
incidents to a responsible person, and teach our children to
do so. Children should have a very specific idea of
inappropriate ways of expressing affection. We have to
aggressively control our children’s exposure to any
messages that would have them believe that they cannot be
sexually responsible individuals. Sexual irresponsibility is
not a part of our culture.
4.
Valuing Our Ability to Control Our Own Sexual
Decision Making
Adolescents are too often motivated by
curiosity and the pressure to perform sexually as expressed
by friends, love, interest and the media. They are not
learning to control their sexuality and protect their
reproductive systems in a responsible way. Adolescents who
do not control their sexuality often continue these patterns
as adults and abuse their sexuality or allow it to be used
by others. We need to learn how to control our sexuality and
be able to select a partner who will respect us and help us
avoid unwanted sexual outcomes.
5.
Creating Respectful and Mutually Satisfying
Relationships That Also Includes Sex
Do you recognize your needs and not
just your wants? Do you believe in your skills and your
worth as an individual? Answering yes to these questions
puts us on the path to healthy relationships. Healthy
relationships involve learning how to compromise with
partners and at the same time not ceding all of our control
to them. Our cultural and religious values emphasize
relationships in our lives. Our survival as women is
contingent upon self-protection and decision-making. Only
when we respect ourselves can we have healthy relationships.
