Teaching Chastity to 7th Graders

  • Thread starter Thread starter fencetennis
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

fencetennis

Guest
Happy Sunday!

I’m currently a college sophomore who teaches catechism to 7th graders at my parish. Today we talked about virtues, including that of chastity. My main problem is that I don’t know what is appropriate to address to 7th graders; at the same time, I feel that this is a message the desperately needs to be heard, especially at their age when they are just beginning to encounter many serious sexual issues. The general curriculum book we use seems to water down the message and seems to be ineffective at describing chastity and how to truly practice it (there’s only a paragraph on chastity).

How are we to teach the faith honestly in this regard? Am I simply being fearful? I know the real vices they face, and I still remember how much I wished someone would have been blatantly honest with me after I learned the truth in these matters. Thanks so much for any help!

Patrick Costello
Annapolis, MD
 
I have been teaching Religious Education to seventh graders for the past eleven years and this is part of our morality curriculum. At that age we are very sensitive all while not pulling any punches. We talk about the intention of God with our gift of sexuality and things like masturbation, homosexuality, cohabitation, adultery and any other issue that comes up. We stress the virtue of chastity. My first year I was scared out of my mind but I got through it. I now realize that the kids need this instruction more than we realize and kids know more about sex than we realize. We also show a video by Pam Stenzel (you can find her online) whereby she lectures about the price one pays for sex outside of marriage. She talks about the physical consequesnces and mixes it with Catholic teachings. I highly recommend her talk. She actually came to speak at our parish.

Anyhow, I would see how the directives are for your parish regarding this topic since you would have to either be teaching under the pastor or a DRE’s supervision. But I would give those kids anything and everything that they need. It can be done in a very professional manner and if there are those questions that kids need to discuss with their parents they can be directed to do so. But for the most part I know that seventh graders need to hear anything that you can give them to keep themselves chaste. It’s a rough world out there for them and we are the only ones who can give them what the Church teaches. God bless you… teachccd
 
Thanks so much for the insight. I find it so helpful to hear from other teachers, especially those with many years of experience, on how they have navigated these issues. And you are so right–we are quite possibly the only ones who are able (or willing) to arm our students with the truth in this regard. I will speak with my priest and fellow catechists and find how to most effectively and professionally teach this important part of the catechism. God Bless!
 
fencetennis said:
Happy Sunday!

I’m currently a college sophomore who teaches catechism to 7th graders at my parish. Today we talked about virtues, including that of chastity. My main problem is that I don’t know what is appropriate to address to 7th graders; at the same time, I feel that this is a message the desperately needs to be heard, especially at their age when they are just beginning to encounter many serious sexual issues. The general curriculum book we use seems to water down the message and seems to be ineffective at describing chastity and how to truly practice it (there’s only a paragraph on chastity).

How are we to teach the faith honestly in this regard? Am I simply being fearful? I know the real vices they face, and I still remember how much I wished someone would have been blatantly honest with me after I learned the truth in these matters. Thanks so much for any help!

Patrick Costello
Annapolis, MD
Click to expand...
i would highly recommend this book - columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/chastity.html
it’s free online there, and you can also buy it on amazon(not sure where else it’s sold)
 
You have a great advantage. I think 7th graders would tend to see you as someone who is in touch with people their age, thus giving you credibility. They will listen and even more, speak what is on their minds to someone they feel they can trust. I really appreciate that you are somewhat unnerved by this responsibility. It shows that you are serious about the information you give them. They need good teachers to help them recognize that they are being bombarded with sinful messages from the media and popular culture. There is valuable information here from seasoned teachers. This is my first year teaching too. I will pray for you. Please pray for me.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed
is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy May, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
Thanks so much for the prayers Patti! You can trust that I will be keeping you and your class in my prayers as well.

What an awesome responsibility to know that we may be the last line of defense for many of our students in terms of their moral education. As catechists, we must not fail them–the reality of the life-changing consequences of misused and abused sexuality is just too tragic. The Lord has certainly put us in a special place.
 
fencetennis said:
Thanks so much for the prayers Patti! You can trust that I will be keeping you and your class in my prayers as well.

What an awesome responsibility to know that we may be the last line of defense for many of our students in terms of their moral education. As catechists, we must not fail them–the reality of the life-changing consequences of misused and abused sexuality is just too tragic. The Lord has certainly put us in a special place.
Click to expand...
My prayers are with you as well. We have been given this role as a gift since God knows that we can handle these sensitive but life changing issues. We are the voice of the Church for these kids and they will not get this except from their parents. Many parents are not equipped to answer the tough questions so that’s why they utilize us. God bless you and keep up the good work!.. teachccd
 
The actual Catechism of the Catholic Church, & Theology of the Body for Teens, might also offer more information and the bigger picture. I think you’re right, you don’t want to gloss over anything, but you also don’t want to cross over any lines. You could always just show whatever materials you come up with along w/ your intent to the Pastor. 'See what he says. Btw, it seems counterproductive to get into more personal detail about modesty and so on in a co-ed class :rolleyes: - a whole other topic. Anyway, all the best to you with your young people 👍
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top