A holistic sexuality education program for older adults that models and fosters caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It balances knowledge-building with exploration of attitudes, values, and feelings about one’s own and others’ sexuality. This program is comprehensive and progressive, addressing sexuality with candor, sensitivity, and respect for older adults’ wisdom and life experience.
In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, the Our Whole Lives curriculum series addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded from sexuality education. Although the curriculum was developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, this volume is completely secular and free of specific religious doctrine or reference. However, the underlying values of the program reflect the justice-oriented traditions of both denominations.
Our Whole Lives, Older Adults addresses Sexuality and Values; Attitudes about Aging; Examining Sexual Scripts; The Sexual Body; Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity; Intimacy; Sexual Consent and Boundaries; Family Matters; Sexuality and Loss; Reframing Sexuality, Disability, and Chronic Illness; Body Image; Dating as an Older Adult; Safer Sex; and Sex Play Beyond Basics.
Workshops include alternate activities and multi-media resources to accommodate participants’ specific needs and interests. The curriculum encourages multigenerational communication with family members or others who play a significant role in the participants’ lives.
This curriculum is comprised of fourteen two-hour workshops, four of which can stand alone.
Before using this curriculum, check uua.org/re/owl/page-updates or ucc.org/owl/facilitator-resources for free, downloadable page updates. These are published on an as-needed basis, so please check for new pages each time you implement the program.
Click here for the schedule of OWL facilitator trainings.