From My Formspring

I've slacked on answering some Formspring questions (you can ask me here) and I got mad when Formspring deleted or got rid of my answers from earlier this year that I honestly thought were Ah-mazing! But, here are some that I really appreciated being asked.

Q.How can you separate sex from emotional attachment? (in other words, how can I sleep with someone without getting attached?) Is it possible?

A. some people can't. some can. i think if you are honest w/what you want and don't want it may be easier. i also think if you are honest w/yourself as to what you are emotionally ready for (i.e. loving yourself, enjoying your own company, etc.) it may be easier. so what if you get emotionally attached? it may not last forever, nothing ever does, so why not give yourself that bit of joy and enjoy it for as long as it's around b/c when its gone who knows when it will come back if it ever will? i say be shameless and unembarrassed w/your emotions. own them.

Q.Can you recommend an age-appropriate sex education video for a 12-year old (visual learner)?

A.i can but it depends on what exactly you want the 12yo to learn/understand. so for example a convo on puberty or a convo on menstruation or nocturnal emission or intercourse or sexual orientation will be different.

i think a good place to start for general overview of puberty and body changes and adolescents is brainpop.com (they also do HIV but are more on the science tip than the sociology tip). they do require a registration and a fee, but they also offer a 2 week trial period. there are videos and quizzes for youth to interact with and I used it often when I taught middle school.

then for a more sociology/pop culture discussion/presentation I'd suggest scenariosusa.com (i think or .org) they have all their videos online and they are written by youth and then the youth are partnered w/world leading directors to make their film. I like the films "from an objective point of view" re: abstinence and "it all falls down" regarding decision making and dating. they have lots of films representing various youth of different identities.

if you have something specific in mind send me another question and i can tell you what i know of. hope this is helpful!