THE TALK
Discussion Guide
Facts & Resources
Meet the Filmmakers
Documentary for Health & Social Justice
"It's not like you're condoning them to have sex, you're just giving them the proper information -that there are consequences behind whatever action you decide to take where sex is concerned." - Film Participant
Synopsis
Did your parents talk to you about sex? THE TALK is a 15-minute documentary based on a series of workshops run by Mothers' Voices, aMiami based non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging parents tobe their children's sexual health educator. The workshops tackle sensitive issues regarding sexual health, STD/HIV/AIDS, gender roles, and sexual orientation. Dedra Brown, a former Mothers' Voices participant and current peer educator, guides us through the workshops while giving us a glimpse of how she uses the program materials to communicate with her own children.
THE TALK confronts myths and preconceived notions surrounding the issue of sexual health communication and attempts to offer parents the tools they need to have that uncomfortable, but necessary "sex talk" with their children.
Use the accompanying Discussion Guide below to help you engage your family, friends, or your community in discussion about having THE TALK with children and youth.
Discussion Guide
This discussion guide provides questions to help you engage your family, friends, or your community in discussion about having THE TALK with children and youth.Themes
- An open dialogue between a parent and child strengthens the relationship and allows parents to communicate their values.
- Parents should provide accurate information and engage in continuous communication with their children about good decision-making, especially regarding sex and sexual health issues.
- Educating children about sex and sexual health increases the likelihood they will delay sexual relations and engage in safer sex practices when they do become sexually active.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you talk to your children, nieces, nephews or other young people about good decision-making, sexuality and sex? Why or why not?
- Should children know the proper names of their body parts?
- Will talking to children about sex encourage them to become sexually active?
- What is the best age to start talking to your child about sexual health issues?
- What are some tools parents can use to start a dialogue with their children about sexual health issues?
- What are teachable moments? Why are they important?
- Did your parent(s) talk to you about sex?
- What is the hardest part of having "the talk" with children? With adolescents?
- Have you had "the talk" with your child about sex?
- What are ways parents can relay accurate information to their children about sex and sexual health?
- Where are all the places kids are learn about sex?
- What are your values around sexual health? For example:
Is it okay for boys and girls to play with the same toys?
Is it okay if children play with their genitals?
Is it okay for teenagers to have sex before they are 18?
- What would you propose to your child as a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C in regards to being sexually active?
- What are the benefits of parents talking to their children about sex?
- What safer sex practices are you familiar with?
- Why is it important to have an ongoing dialogue with children about sex, body development, and sexual health topics from adolescence to young adulthood?
- If you have not talked to your child about sex, is it too late to start today?
Resources
Advocates for Youth
(202) 419-3420
www.advocatesforyouth.org
Mothers' Voices Organization
(305) 347 - 5467
http://www.mothersvoices.org
National Centers for Disease Control AIDS Hotline:
English toll free (800) 342-AIDS (2437); 24-hour hotline
Spanish toll free (800) 344-7432; 8am-10pm EST, Mon.-Fri.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
(212) 541-7800
www.plannedparenthood.org
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
(212) 819-9770
www.siecus.org
National AIDS Fund
(202) 408-4848
www.aidsfund.org
General Resources:
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THE TALK: Meet the Filmmakers
Richard Heredia-Arriaga, Michaela Higgins-Cloyd and Michael Hamm.
RICHARD HEREDIA-ARRIAGA
Richard Heredia-Arriaga was born and raised in Sacramento, California. After graduating high school in 2004, he enrolled at San Francisco State University where he graduated with degree in Cinema production. Whileat San Francisco State, Arriaga has worked on a variety of film productions ranging from video to 35mm. The Talk marks highlight in his film career becoming his first documentary film.
MICHAELA HIGGINGS-CLOYD
MICHAEL HAMM
Michael is currently studying Film at San Francisco State University with the hope of becoming an independent documentary filmmaker. He returned tobeing a full-time student following years of working with various educational non-profits in West Oakland and hopes to highlight issues surrounding education and social justice in his film work. Michael is originally from Lawrence, Ma.
View the high-quality version of this film
The information on these pages is provided by the student film makers and does not represent an endorsement or verification of statements from the Health Equity Institute
