Two of Us: Sexual Formation
How first learning about
sex and sexuality affects you
Reflect
Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions.Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse.
Prayer
My parents are important to me, Father.
They have had such an influence upon me.
I don’t always like the results. Help me to forgive them.
Let me let their failure go so that I can get on with my life.
I struggle so much with this that I am sending
Your beloved Son, Jesus to intercede for me.
Amen.
Questions
1. When did you get your first information about sex and sexuality?
_____ In my early years (5,6,7)
_____ In my middle years (8,9,10)
_____ In my adolescence (11.12,13)
_____ As a teenager
_____ Other (specify: ___________________)
2. What did you learn?
3. Where did you get this information? Mark it with a C, for childhood. Then go back over the list and mark it with the letter A, for what you learned as an adult.
_____ mother _____ popular music
_____ father _____ movies
_____ brothers and sisters _____ TV
_____ grandparent _____ magazines/books
_____ friend _____ school classes
_____ teacher _____ church retreat
_____ priest/sister _____ locker room
_____ Other _______________ (specify)
4. Imagine you are at the family dinner table today and your whole family is present. You ask a question about sex. How would your family react? (Be specific about each member of your family. How would each react?)
5. What does this tell you about your family’s attitudes about sex and sexuality? Have their attitudes changed since you were a child?
6. How have your attitudes about sex and sexuality been affected by:
a) Society
b) Friends
c) Church
d) Family
