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Sex Needs A New Metaphor

This lesson challenges students to think of new ways to talk about and conceptualise sexual activity.

Learning intentions:

  • Understand the process of consent
  • Consider sexual activity within a framework of communication, participation and negotiation
  • Explore ways to establish the (in)compatibility of partners
  • Examine processes that increase the safety and satisfaction of sexual activity

Digital Educator: Charlie

  • 12-30 learners

    Class size

  • 11+

    Year Level

  • 45-60 minutes

    Course duration

  • One

    Student Handouts

    Preparing for the lesson

    Information
    Resources
    ACHPE Objectives
    UNESCO Objectives
    Safety & Wellbeing
    Sequence
    Extension
    In this Sex Needs A New Metaphor lesson, students will experiment with the conceptual models of consent and sexual activity.

    Students will begin with knowledge sharing on a number of common phrases about sexual activity, such as 'did you score' and 'they got to second base'. This is followed by a TED Talk from Al Vernacchio looking at the baseball model and proposing an alternative - pizza. Students will work in small groups to reflect on the messages in the baseball model before unpacking its foundational assumptions as a group. The lesson concludes with groups devising a new conceptual model that more accurately reflects the real world and the mutual and consensual interactions they deserve. 

    Each lesson ends with a consolidation activity, inviting students to list 1 thing they have learnt from the lesson, 1 thing they already knew, 1 piece of advice they would share with a friend, and 1 adult or organisation that would be helpful in relation to the lesson topic.  

    This lesson is adapted from 'Conceptual models of sexual activity: baseball is out; pizza is in (Vernacchio, 2005)'. 

    Facilitator Printouts

    Hook Ups and Hang Ups

    Student Printouts

    Additional Student Resources

    What's Your Sexual Footprint (TED Talk)
    Not applicable.
    Key concept 1: Relationships
    1.2 Friendship, Love and Romantic Relationships
    • Key area: There are healthy and unhealthy sexual relationships.


    Key concept 2: Values, Rights, Culture and Sexuality    2.1 Values and Sexuality
    • Key idea: It is important to know one’s own values, beliefs and attitudes, in order to adopt sexual behaviours that are consistent with them.


    2.3 Culture, Society and Sexuality
    • Key idea: It is important to be aware of how social and cultural norms impact sexual behaviour while developing one’s own point of view


    Key Concept 3: Understanding Gender    3.2 Gender Equality, Stereotypes and Bias
    • Key idea: Gender inequality, social norms and power differences influence sexual behaviour and may increase the risk of sexual coercion, abuse and Gender Based Violence.


    Key Concept 5: Skills for Health and Wellbeing
    5.3 Communication, Refusal and Negotiation Skills.
    • Key idea: Effective communication uses different modes and styles, and is important to expressing and understanding wishes, needs and personal boundaries.
    • This is a light hearted and interactive lesson focused on social norms and assumptions. It provides an opportunity for all students to challenge the stereotypes and limitations that exist. This is especially true for LGBTIQA+ students, bringing in new and more expansive models of relationships and sexuality. 
    1. Using the analogies students came up with (or the pizza one), students can complete a number of extension activities including researching campaigns, developing a booklet or poster, writing an essay, a position paper, or producing multimedia works. They could also produce a short play or presentation for senior school assembly.
    Ideally, you will have scope to deliver all of the lessons in your program. However we understand that many schools have limited capacity to do so.

    In Year 11 and 12 you can deliver lessons from either year level. It can be helpful for Year 12's to explore more foundational issues in the Year 11 curriculum. It is also beneficial for Year 11's to have access to more advanced lessons from the Year 12 curriculum.  

    Should you find yourself having to implement part of this program, we have provided a suggested sequence of lessons within the broader skills and knowledge categories of relationship, consent, gender, and health & legal literacy. We recommend delivering at least one lesson from each category.

    Group Agreements & Pod Mapping should be the first lesson as per best practice.

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