THE H.E.A.R.T. PROGRAM
FOR TEENS AND THEIR PARENTS

In November 2007, FES committee members attended an inspiring conference on teenage sexuality called the 2nd International Congress on Education in Love, Sex and Life. They identified an exciting programme which has been taught in 12 countries worldwide and in more than 200 educational institutions and has touched the lives of more than 130 000 teens and their parents.

While there are many good programmes in Singapore aimed at empowering young people to make the correct decisions with regards to love, sex and relationships, recent statistics prove that there is still a lot of scope for improvement in the decision making process of many young people in this complex and difficult area, as well as instituting behavioural changes in youths.

The uniqueness of the programme, Protégé tu Corazon or PTC, is the emphasis it puts on

• character education of young people,
• and the role of parents as the first and most important educators of their children

As such, the programme does not rely on catchy jingles and one-off inspirational talks, but seeks, over the course of its programme, to cultivate in young people strength of character which will ease the exercise of sexuality in a smart way. It simultaneously works with the parents of these youth to increase their awareness of the issues their children are facing and to teach them the skills of communicating with them and facilitating character development in their children.

Its scope is therefore more than just addressing sexuality issues, but encompasses many of the pertinent pressures adolescents face today, including peer pressure, drugs, pornography and the all–pervasive media.

AN OVERVIEW OF PTC

• It is a sexuality education programme based on character development and targeted at teenagers and parents
  
  
• It has been taught in more than 200 educational institutes
  
  
• It has reached 65 cities in 12 countries
  
  
• It offers 25 different sessions for teenagers.
  
  
• It offers 12 workshops for parents
  
  
• It has touched the lives of more than 130 000 teen-agers and parents

Mission:
To contribute to developing strength of character that will ease the exercise of sexuality in a smart way.

Vision:
Adolescents are capable of cultivating true love, laying the foundation for solid and happy marriages in the future.

Why it is necessary:

• Teenagers need to love and be loved but are confused about the real meaning of it.
  
  
• 80% of teen-agers who have attended the program affirm that they had never talked with their parents about the difference between sex and love.
  
  
• Strong pressure from friends who influence them and make it difficult to achieve their goals.
  
  
• Scarce communication between teenagers and their parents.
  
  
• Media praises sex without love.
  
  
• Increased risk factors: Sexually transmitted diseases, abortion and out of wedlock pregnancies have raised all over the world. Societal concerns about increase in alcohol and illegal drugs intake and abuse, and also for mass pornography consumption.
  
  
• Statistics about divorce are alarming.
  
  
• Today, more than ever, it is necessary to give ethical orientation to the youth on how to live their sexuality.

FES’ VISION FOR THE PTC PROGRAMME IN SINGAPORE

• FES has customized the existing programme to tailor it to local needs
  
  
• It sees this programme as a natural progression from its existing character education programme, the Family Education Program (FEP), which it offers to parents of children aged 4-11 years.
  
  
• The program has been renamed the H.E.A.R.T Program and is an acronym for Happiness, Empowerment, Accountability, Respect and True Love, entities which are the goals of this program.
  
  
• In November 2008, FES brought out expert trainers to conduct workshops with a core of committed volunteers who are professionals from different walks of life, many of whom have had additional training in family education courses, but more importantly are parents themselves and fit the strict advisor profile defined by the PTC organizers.
  
  
• In 2009, FES will undertake to train these advisors through practical workshops for a year before implementing the programme proper as it believes that the success of the programme will depend very heavily on the quality of the advisors.
  
  
• At the end of 2009, the expert trainers from PTC will be brought out again to analyse with participants the experience of the past year and to ensure that the various elements of the programme are being properly implemented as well as to consolidate gains and to correct any possible mistakes. • At the end of 2009, the programme will first be offered to parents.
  
  
• From 2011 onwards, it is envisaged that the full programme for teens and parents will be offered.
  
  
• FES hopes to offer the programme, in time, to as many sectors of society as possible, including schools and corporate communities.