Stereotypes
What is a stereotype?
A widely held view, opinion, or attitude about a group of people.
What is the definition of consent?
Permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.
What are the three different ways of communicating discussed in this unit?
Aggressive, assertive, and passive communication.
Name two physical puberty changes that happen to both boys and girls.
Developing acne, growing pubic hair, or experiencing increased sweat and body odour.
What is the single safest method to completely avoid pregnancy or catching an STI?
Abstinence, 100% effective.
What is an example of a common gender stereotype for boys and girls mentioned in class?
Stereotypes like "boys like the colour blue" or "women do all of the cooking and cleaning".
What is the legal age to consent to sexual intercourse in New Zealand?
16
Give one verbal and one non-verbal communication cue mentioned in the slides.
Verbal could be yelling, and non-verbal could be nodding/shaking your head, crossing your arms, or raising your eyebrows.
How do the timelines for growth spurts differ between males and females during puberty?
Females typically experience a growth spurt at the start of puberty, whereas males experience theirs at the end of puberty.
What are the three main categories that Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are grouped into?
Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic infections.
What can you do or say if you hear someone generalising or stereotyping others?
You can use your words to challenge the generalisation, point out that it is unfair, or take action to stand up for the person being stereotyped.
According to our class discussions, what does consent actually look like in a relationship?
It means "no = no," an "absence of a yes = no," and it requires a clear, positive, and "sober yes" given completely without pressure.
What does it mean to communicate "assertively," and what is the goal?
It means being cool, calm, and collected, aiming for a healthy "I win, you win" outcome where both people feel respected.
What is the definition of "conception"?
The action of conceiving a child, where a sperm fertilises an egg and it attaches itself to the lining of the uterus to begin pregnancy.
What are the treatments for the different STI categories?
Bacterial STIs are usually treated with a one time injectable antibiotic administered by a nurse or doctor or antibiotic pills that are usually taken for 7 days.
Viral STIs are not curable however there are treatments for the symptoms. Treatments may include antiviral medications or topical medication (oils, foam, creams, ointments etc).
Most parasitic STIs are not dangerous. They can usually be treated with pills or topical medications (oils, foam, creams, ointments etc).
Why are stereotypes not a fair or true representation of a group of people?
Because they make blanket assumptions about everyone in a group, entirely ignoring a person's unique individuality, personality, and who they really are.
Why are young people in New Zealand legally allowed to access sexual health care (like contraception) at any age?
To make sure there are no barriers keeping young people unsafe, allowing them to access protection and confidential health care whenever they need it.
Why are positive relationships central to a person's overall happiness and health?
Because they give a person's life meaning and purpose, and support their emotional and social well-being.
Why do teenagers go through frequent mood swings and mental/emotional changes during puberty?
Because their bodies are undergoing a major biological shift with rapidly increasing and fluctuating hormone levels, such as testosterone in males and estrogen or progesterone in females.
How might nudes & sexting lead to cyberbullying?
Sending nudes or sexting can lead to cyberbullying by people sharing your nudes and taking screenshots of your conversations. People might make fun of you and put you down for your pictures and conversations. They might call you names online and message you with horrible messages.
Why can gender stereotypes negatively impact a teenager's overall well-being across different dimensions of Hauora?
Because they put pressure on people to act a certain way, which can cause emotional distress (mental/emotional), make them feel isolated or judged by peers (social), and damage their self-worth.
Why does New Zealand law have a specific legal age of consent in place?
The intent of the law is to protect young people from exploitation, abuse, and manipulation, ensuring they are mature enough to make safe decisions about their bodies.
Why is it important to sort relationship behaviors into "negotiable" vs "non-negotiable" categories?
Because negotiable behaviors are issues that can be worked through to keep a relationship going, while non-negotiable behaviors are unsafe and mean the relationship needs to end for your own safety.
Why is it so important to understand that everyone's puberty journey is completely unique?
Because everyone's body develops at completely different rates and timelines based on genetics, meaning there is no single "normal" timeline to compare yourself against.
Why can cyberbullying have a severe impact on a teenager's school attendance and academic achievement?
Because it is repeated behavior designed to scare, anger, or shame the target, causing them to feel so unsafe and isolated that they stay away from school to avoid their bullies, leading to missed assessments and dropping grades.