Teens Take the Lead
Building Consent Culture
The Teens Take the Lead: Building Consent Culture workshop is designed to empower teenagers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to establish healthy relationships, set personal boundaries, and respect the autonomy of others. By creating a safe and supportive space for dialogue and learning, this workshop intends to foster a generation of youth who prioritize consent, communication, and empathy, thus contributing to a more respectful and inclusive society. With the tools gained from this workshop, teens will be better equipped to navigate interpersonal challenges, laying the foundation for positive and healthy relationships throughout their lives.
“In order to curb sexual violence, we need to teach young people how to talk about sex, including how to ask for and recognize consent. People can learn these skills from high-quality sex education. Sex education that includes consent education is sexual assault prevention. This survey shows just how far we still have to go.”
– Dr. Leslie Kantor, vice president of education at
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Several studies have found major inconsistencies in students' understanding of consent.
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See studies by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation and Planned Parenthood
Goals
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To educate teens with a comprehensive understanding of consent and its pivotal role in fostering a healthier and more inclusive society.
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To empower teens with the confidence to practice consent in their daily lives, engage in open discussions about it, and become advocates for building consent culture in their communities.
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To foster a safe space for dialogue, self-reflection, and growth through critical thinking exercises that promote healthy relationships with ourselves and others.
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Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Define consent and recognize different forms of coercion.
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Understand their own boundaries and how to respect the boundaries of others.
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Confidently express their boundaries and accept rejection graciously.
Teaching consent is of utmost importance for several reasons:
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Personal Autonomy: Consent empowers individuals to make informed choices about their bodies and personal boundaries. It reinforces the idea that every person has the right to decide what happens to them and what they are comfortable with in any situation.
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Respect and Dignity: Teaching consent promotes a culture of respect and dignity. It emphasizes the value of every individual's feelings, desires, and wishes, fostering a society where everyone is treated with consideration and empathy.
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Healthy Relationships: Understanding and practicing consent are essential components of healthy relationships. It encourages open communication, trust, and mutual understanding between partners, helping to build strong and positive connections.
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Empowerment and Agency: Learning about consent empowers individuals to assert their boundaries confidently. It enables them to advocate for themselves and others, reducing the likelihood of being pressured or coerced into unwanted situations.
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Preventing Sexual Assault and Abuse: Educating about consent plays a crucial role in preventing sexual assault and abuse. It helps individuals recognize and understand non-consensual behavior, encouraging them to speak up and intervene if they witness inappropriate conduct.
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Reducing Miscommunication: Teaching consent involves learning how to communicate effectively, both verbally and non-verbally. By encouraging clear communication, misunderstandings and potential conflicts can be minimized.
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Building a Consent Culture: When consent is consistently taught and respected, it helps build a consent culture. This means that consent becomes a societal norm, and people actively seek and value consent in all aspects of life.
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Navigating the Digital World: In the age of digital communication, consent extends to online interactions as well. Teaching consent in this context helps individuals make responsible choices and maintain respectful online relationships.
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Legal Implications: Understanding consent is essential to adhere to laws and regulations regarding consent in various settings, such as healthcare, education, and intimate relationships.
FAQ
Who is this workshop designed for?
This workshop is suggested for anyone who is currently in high school. However, this is just a suggestion, and parents can absolutely use their discretion.
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How long is the workshop?
I suggest a full 90 minutes; however, it can be as short as 45-60 minutes if necessary.
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What do I need to bring?
Something to write with and on (e.g., a pen and notebook). I will have extra supplies in case anyone forgets. Beverages and non-distracting food items are welcome too.
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Will this workshop be scary?
This workshop is overwhelmingly positive because we have the opportunity
to nurture teens into becoming leaders, advocating for consent and creating positive change in their social circles and beyond. The workshop will be informative, fun and even funny at times! I assure you that there will be plenty of giggling.
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Why is this important?
To empower teenagers with a comprehensive understanding of consent and its pivotal role in fostering a healthier and more inclusive society.
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Through this work, I aspire to spark a transformative movement where young people actively promote consent, paving the way for a safer, more respectful, and empathetic culture for everyone.
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Who is the instructor?
That's me, Helen Quinn Pasin. Please check out my sexuality
educator credentials here:
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