Children and adolescents gather information from watching the adults around them. The Sexuality Infomation and Education Council of the United States (http://www.siecus.org/) has compiled a list of Life Behaviors of a Sexually Healthy Adult. Reading this list, I think an adult (or child, or adolescent) who is exhibiting these behaviors is healthy in more ways than ‘just’ sexually. What do you think?
Life Behaviors of a Sexually Healthy Adult. A sexually healthy adult will:
Appreciate one’s own body.
Seek further information about reproduction as needed.
Affirm that human development includes sexual development, which may or may not include reproductive or sexual experience.
Interact with all genders in respectful and appropriate ways.
Affirm one’s own sexual orientation and respect the sexual orientations of others.
Affirm one’s own gender identities and respect the gender identities of others.
Express love and intimacy in appropriate ways.
Develop and maintain meaningful relationships.
Make informed choices about family options and relationships.
Exhibit skills that enhance personal relationships.
Identify and live according to one’s own values.
Take responsibility for one’s own behavior.
Practice effective decision-making.
Develop critical-thinking skills.
Communicate effectively with family, peers, and romantic partners.
Enjoy and express one’s sexuality throughout life.
Express one’s sexuality in ways that are congruent with one’s values.
Enjoy sexual feelings without necessarily acting on them.
Source: http://www.siecus.org/pubs/guidelines/guidelines.pdf
And here is a picture of a young adult – tell me your opinion – is this adult exhibiting Life Behaviors of a Sexually Healthy Adult? Why or why not?
I can’t tell anything about that person just by looking at the picture, so I don’t know.