AMAZE is a series of sex ed videos that recognize child and adolescent sexual development as natural and healthy. They envision a world in which young people everywhere are supported and affirmed, and the adults in their lives communicate openly and honestly with them about puberty, reproduction, relationships, sex and sexuality. In such a world, young people across the globe have access to the information and support they need to develop into sexually healthy adults. AMAZE leverages the expertise of master sexuality educators, the creativity of animation professionals, the input of young people, and the power of the internet to take the awkward out of growing up. This week in the mentoring circle, we feature fun, animated videos empowering healthy relationships worldwide, with all the answers you want to know about sex, your body and relationships.
The AMAZE team includes experts in sexuality education, youth sexual development and parent-child communication that work with animators to develop each video. Video topics are designed to meet the learning objectives outlined in the National Sexuality Education Standards. These standards provide guidance to schools regarding the information and skills students need to learn in each grade level. To supplement this list, the AMAZE team is in regular contact with classroom educators, parents and members of its youth advisory board to explore new topics to tackle. In the following video, they explain how the meaning of sexuality includes how a person feels about themselves, their body, their relationships and their sexual experiences.
AMAZE harnesses the power of digital media to provide young adolescents around the globe with medically accurate, age-appropriate, affirming, and honest sex education they can access directly online—regardless of where they live or what school they attend. They also strive to assist adults—parents, guardians, educators and health care providers around the globe—to communicate effectively and honestly about sex and sexuality with the children and adolescents in their lives. The AMAZE Educators’ page is designed to provide classroom resources so you can easily integrate follow-up questions and lesson plans related to each specific video. In one of their recent videos, they discuss the meaning of gaslighting as a type of manipulation and abuse that causes a person to question their thoughts, feelings, and memory.
The AMAZE website offers direct resources for youth, parents and educators worldwide. It aspires to leverage its resources to meet the needs of young people across the world– regardless of where they live or what school they attend. The AMAZE team is working hard to expand AMAZE’s reach internationally through partnerships with non-governmental organizations, multilateral agencies, and Ministries of Education, Health and Youth around the world. The following video is about sexual and reproductive health rights of young people with disabilities and how people with disabilities, including disabled young people, have the same needs and rights to sexual and reproductive health information and services as their peers.
Thirty-five years of public health research clearly demonstrates that young people who receive honest, age-appropriate, non-judgmental information about puberty, relationships and sexual health are more likely to delay sexual initiation when they are young and to use condoms and other contraceptive methods when they do become sexually active. Further, quality sex education can help young people successfully navigate puberty, learn about healthy body image, distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships, and understand the concepts of consent and mutual respect. In the following video, AMAZE speaks about consent and the right to say “no” to any behavior that you do not want to engage in at any point, for any reason, and your partner must respect your decision.