The previous two lessons focused on the physical and emotional changes young people go through in puberty. Boys and girls differ in reproductive organs, body shape and body changes due to differences in chromosomes and hormones. These differences between the two sexes are biologically determined.

But expectations of boys and girls by society and the community we live in, of how they behave are also different.

In this lesson we will be looking at what the community we live in expects from boys and girls and what cultural norms we share. Are these expectations for boys and girls the same or are there differences as well? And if so, where do these differences come from?

Are we happy with the society's expectations of boys and girls? Are our cultural traditions fair for boys and girls, men and women? Or can they be harmful?

For us to decide what is fair and not fair we will learn about basic human rights and in particular our sexual and reproductive rights. Every human being in this world is entitled to the same rights from the moment she or he is born. So, everybody, boys and girls, men and women, have the same rights, regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, social status, political beliefs, gender identity sexual orientation, disability or HIV status.

You will be encouraged to make your own decisions to optimise your quality of life. Everyone should be able to enjoy and use their talents and make their own valuable contribution to the world. This goes hand in hand with treating each other with respect and dignity and creating a fairer world for all of us, boy or girl, man or woman.