Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives (also referred to as OWL) is a series of sexuality education curricula for six age
groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, young adults ages 18-35, and adults.
Jointly developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, the courses help participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior by equipping them with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas:
Relationships
Personal Skills
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Health
Society and Culture
Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
Although developed by two religious organizations, Our Whole Lives contains no religious references or doctrine. It is appropriate for participants of any religious background. However, religious references are provided in an optional Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ companion publication, Sexuality and Our Faith.
The following FAQ will provide answers to several questions you may have:
Is this one of those abstinence-only church based programs?
No. This program definitely encourages abstinence with regard to sexual activity for teens, but OWL is a comprehensive sexuality education program.
Participants will also be learning about vital topics such as relationships, birth control, and how to avoid contracting diseases such as HIV.
Woven within this curriculum is how sexuality is expressed in our culture. Participants will learn how the media affects their feelings about their own
bodies. Social issues relating to gay and lesbian concerns will be addressed. How sex and power can become linked in relationships is another important
topic. They will be discussing in a mature way how to relate to the opposite sex as they grow<br>
and change.