Hello Friends!
Fall is fast approaching, and mornings are finally getting a little cooler here in Austin. That means my newest parenting class on adolescent sexuality will be starting up soon! (More on the specifics towards the end of this e-mail.)
Adolescent sexuality has loomed large in the news this last week, with the announcement of rabid-anti-comprehensive-sex-education Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican VP nominee. The disconnect between Governor Palin’s political perspective on sex education and her teenage daughter, who is five months pregnant, has added substantial depth to the media coverage of comprehensive sex education. I have felt renewed excitement about offering comprehensive sex education to more teenagers as the republicans have stated their support of Bristol Palin, her boyfriend, and her family.
This has been an exciting summer for me! A documentary film crew from France came in June to interview me as the residential expert on sexual development for a European documentary on child development. The documentary will be released in France and Germany next March, and will hopefully also be aired in England, Australia, and maybe the US over the following months. The filming was lots of fun, and I think the end result will be engaging and informative.
This summer I also became a trained Our Whole Lives instructor for Middle and High School classes through the Unitarian Universalist Church. My church, Wildflower UU, will be offering sexuality education classes for Middle School students this fall, and I am very excited to be taking part in this new venture for my church. I may be offering another, non-church-related, sexuality education class for middle school students as well. If you’re interested, drop me an e-mail and we’ll talk specifics.
This fall I began teaching Human Sexuality at Austin Community College. The several years age difference between these young adults and the Middle and High School students I am use to working with is substantial in terms of what they want and need to know about sex and sexuality. It has been a delight to expand my repertoire in this way. I am also close to finishing my new book: Talking To Teens About Sex (or TTTAS as I like to call it for short). I’m hoping it will be out in time for Christmas gifts – I’ll keep you up-dated!
This month I will be starting my newest parent class on adolescent sexuality. Let me know if you’re interested, and of course please forward the information on to other parents and friends who might benefit. I have changed the name of my class from Beyond the Birds and Bees to TALKS About Sex. Here are the specifics on the upcoming class:
TALKS About Sex
Teens and Adults Learning Knowledge and Skills About Sex
Dr. Karen Rayne presents a four-session class for parents on how to talk with children and teenagers more easily and effectively about issues of sex and sexuality.
Topics include: What teenagers need to know about sex and sexuality and how you can help teach them that knowledge and those skills. Common assumptions about adolescent sexuality and what’s right and wrong. How to push past non-communicative teenagers and how to best support the talkative teenagers.
Dates: September 21st and 28th and October 5th and 12th
Times: Sundays, 3:30 – 5:00
Place: Oak Hill (South Austin)
Cost: $175/individual, $300/couple
If you have questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (924-1814) or e-mail ( karen.rayne@gmail.com ). If you would like to know more about me and my perspectives on adolescent sexuality, take a look at my website and blog ( http://www.karenrayne.com ).
Please remember that I am also available to offer this class through other venues, at other times, and other places. In addition to parent classes, I also offer private consultations in person, or via phone for those not in the Austin area. You can contact me via e-mail or phone (924-1814) for more information about either of these additional services.
If you no longer wish to receive information from me, please just let me know by replying to this e-mail and I’ll be happy to take you off my list.
I look forward to talking with you soon,
Sincerely,
Karen Rayne, Ph.D.
