Consumer skills for contraception

Objectives:

Students will complete a worksheet describing the steps needed to obtain contraceptive devices.

Grade level and subject area:

7-12 / Health sciences and Biology

Resources and materials:

A good phone book and the worksheets.

Activities and strategies:

For many young people, one of the most difficult steps in becoming an effective contraceptor is "going public," i.e., risking being seen obtaining a contraceptive and thus, being identified as a person who is having intercourse. This lesson gives students the responsibility of obtaining birth control information and should help them feel more comfortable should they need to obtain it on their own. The teacher may want to begin by reviewing the various birth control methods.
  1. List the following on the board and ask students to rank them from Most Difficult to Least Difficult: TALK TO PARTNER ABOUT USING BIRTH CONTROL, GO TO FAMILY PLANNING CENTER, TALK TO ONESELF ABOUT USING BIRTH CONTROL, GO TO DOCTOR'S OFFICE, and BUY BIRTH CONTROL IN DRUG STORE.
  2. Have students discuss their lists briefly in pairs.
  3. Discuss with the whole class: Which was most difficult? Why? The least difficult? Why is "talking to oneself" on the list?
  4. Teachers should prepare a worksheet for students to use when they visit a drugstore, family planning center or physician's office. Items to include would be: name of the store/office, address, type of contraceptives offered, cost, confidentiality, and directions by car or public transportation.
  5. Divide students into groups of three and let them plan strategies for obtaining the information. Ideally, the group will work together to gather the data so all students can learn how to utilize each facility or service. Give students a week or more to complete this assignment.
  6. When assignment is completed, let the groups share their experiences with the class.
Suggested by Debra Kaufmann, Cherokee Middle School, Madison, WI and described in: Brick, P. & Cooperman, C. (1987) Positive Images

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This document was last updated 6/1/97 by Chandra Hawley.
Copyright1996 Indiana University - Center for Adolescent Studies, all rights reserved.
Kris Bosworth