A Conversation with Al Vernacchio

Sex Therapy 101 with Cami Hurst

We dive into the complex world of "consenting to unwanted sex" with Al Vernacchio, a comprehensive sex educator who brings unique insights from his position at a Quaker school. Our conversation explores why many women agree to sex they don't desire and the cultural influences that create these situations.
Al Vernacchio, MSEd teaches at Friends' Central School in Wynnewood, PA. He is the Coordinator of Gender, Sexuality, and Consent Education, a Senior Staff member in the department of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Justice, and is also a member of the Upper School English department. Al is forthright, funny, and compassionate as he supports students, school communities, and families to develop healthy sexuality in young people of all ages.
A nationally recognized expert in human sexuality education for over 30 years, Al has lectured, published articles, and offered workshops throughout the country. His work has been featured in “Teaching Good Sex”, a November 20, 2011 cover story in The
New York Times Magazine. Al has given four TED Talks, and has appeared on
national programs such as NPR’s “Morning Edition”, “1A”, and “Radio Times”.
He is the author of For Goodness Sex: A Sex-Positive Guide to Raising Healthy, Empowered Teens published in a revised and expanded edition in April, 2023.
Al earned his BA in Theology from St. Joseph's University and his MSEd in
Human Sexuality Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Consenting Unwanted Sex Series (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Al Vernacchio: Sex Education Expert (00:02:10)

3. Consent vs. Acquiescence: Redefining Terms (00:03:12)

4. Cultural Influences on Sexual Dynamics (00:10:28)

5. Protective Factors in Community Values (00:16:19)

6. Sex Education as Prevention (00:20:00)

7. Adult Solutions & Relationship Vision (00:29:32)

8. Desire vs. Conditions for Desire (00:35:16)

9. Systems Change: Bottom-Up Progress (00:40:06)