Spider Web
Objective: To personalize the risk of STIs including HIV/AIDS and provide a visual representation of the possibility of transmission, particularly of HIV.
Audience: Teens — college
Time Needed: Approximately 40 minutes
Materials: Blackboard and colored chalk, or newsprint and markers
Activity Description:
Begin by describing "Sue," an 18-year-old virgin, who has a 23-year-old boyfriend, "Bill" (write these names on the blackboard or newsprint as you introduce each character and draw a line connecting them to indicate that they are sexual partners). Explain that Bill has had two sexual partners. Have students name Bill's two partners and their partners and draw lines accordingly. Continue naming and tracking partners, filling the entire blackboard or paper. Now go back with colored chalk or markers and label IV drug users, an older partner who has had a blood transfusion, etc. Tell stories about someone who has herpes or who contracted HIV and did not know or did not choose to reveal it. Explain how Sue does not suspect Bill, who has only two partners, to be "at risk" for an STI. After all, she thinks, two partners is nothing nowadays!
This is an excellent way to illustrate visually how having unprotected sex is like sleeping with all of the partners your partner has had. You can vary ages, number of partners, and stories depending on the age and knowledge level of your group. Process this activity with the group.
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia
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