Sex and Gender

• Presentation covers sex, gender, gender identity, sexual intercourse, and sexual health problems

Sex

• Refers to biological characteristics that define male and female
• Includes type of genital organs (penis, vagina, breasts, etc.)
• Includes predominant hormones (estrogen, testosterone)
• Includes ability to produce sperm or ovum
• Includes capacity to give birth and breastfeed
• Sometimes refers to activities that include intercourse

Gender

• Not based on biological differences, but on society's perceptions, expectations, and behaviors
• How individuals or societies define "man" and "woman"
• Socially and culturally defined attitudes, behaviors, expectations, and responsibilities
• Includes accepted thoughts and norms for men and women in society
• Encompasses feminine/masculine traits and abilities and societal expectations
• Learned from family, friends, community leaders, religious and cultural institutions, media etc
• Reflects and influences roles, social status, economic and political power of men and women
• Girls are raised to not be to interested in sexuality
• Women avoid telling men what they find sexually stimulating
• Women do not refuse intercourse even when not sufficiently stimulated
• Women must maintain virginity until marriage
• Sexual freedom exists for men
• Men's infidelities are viewed as acceptable, while women's are viewed as the greatest sin
• Studies show significant gender differences in sexual behavior and attitudes
• Most boys are not virgins, according to girls
• The age of first intercourse is earlier in boys
• Girls experience more negative emotions during first intercourse

Gender Identity

• Perception and acceptance of one's body and sexuality
• Acceptance of the sex an individual belongs to
• Includes behavior of the body and self in accordance to perception, feelings, and sexuality
• Children establish identifications during their spiritual development by modelling adults (parents)
• Characterized by imitating behaviors, absorbing traits, making qualities one’s own
• Identity incorporates childhood patterns while adopting values of peer groups
• Identity integrates gained traits and settling in the self
• The perception and acceptance of being male or female is important for sexual development
• When a person doesn't suffer from gender identity problem they define themselves as either male or female
• Gender Identity development is built on input from family, peers, teachers, cultural factors

Sexual Orientation

• Gender to which sexual impulse is directed
• Characteristic defined by the gender a person is sexually or emotionally attracted to
• Heterosexual: attraction to the opposite sex
• Homosexual: attraction to the same gender
• Bisexual: attraction to both sexes
• Transgender: believing one should change gender
• Heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual men are still male in body, gender, and identity
• Heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual women are still female in body, gender, and identity
• Gay men do not feel like women and gay women do not feel like men
• How sexual orientation is formed is unknown
• Accepted explanations involve the effects of environmental factors
• Cannot be answered as to why heterosexual men like women
• It is also unknown if people are born heterosexual or bisexual/homosexual
• People cannot make a choice between heterosexuality and other orientations
• A person is not heterosexual because they want to be, nor can one decide be homosexual/bisexual
• Sexual experiments may not reflect sexual orientation or identity
• Having sex for reasons other than orientation does not change it

Sexual Behaviors

• Activities related to sexuality, like kissing, touching or stimulation
• Routinely performed habits that express one's sexuality
• Encompasses what people do sexually with themselves and others
• The concept emerges in childhood and fully develops with adolescence
• Sexual characteristics solidify after puberty.
• Adolescence begins with self-interest and expands to others
• Curiosity turns into experimentation

Sexual Intimacy

• Goes beyond sexual intercourse
• Includes kissing, touching, chatting, hugging, reading stories, sharing jokes, just staring

Healthy Sexual Intercourse

• Built on shared values and five characteristics:
  • Compromise
  • Non-exploitation
  • Honesty
  • Enjoyment of each other
  • Protection against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases

Healthy Sexual Adults

• Value their bodies
• Take accountability for actions
• Communicate respectfully with both genders
• Show consistent love and sincerity

Factors for Healthy Sex Life

• Psychological factors
• Biological factors
• Sociocultural factors
• If experiencing problems, these factors should be considered during treatment

Aspects of Sexuality

• Should be expressed in diverse ways
• Each individual has to accept and respect each other's beliefs
• Should be consensual and free from exploitation
• Should be genuine and respectful
• Children deserve love and protection regardless of gender
• Sexual decisions have implications
• Inform children about sexuality and promote values
• Young people should be able to explore sexual maturity
• Sexual experiences should minimize involving risk
• Access info and resources from health centers
• Prioritize accountability and self-control
• Sexual health relies on postponing intercourse to prevent diseases and unwanted pregnancies
• As people transition to adulthood, they should be about sexuality
• Sexual health depends on protective behavior

Sex, Gender and Health

• The relationship between biological and social factors affects health/disease
• Disease varies for men and women
• Women experience more illness and stress, yet live longer
• Sexual problems are common across the world
• 1 in 3 people experience sexual dysfunction at some point
• Women's longer life expectancy causes higher morbidity rates
• Health deterioration is part of ageing for both sexes
• Older women contract osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and most immune disorders
• Women are more prone to reproductive health conditions
• Both sexes are susceptible to gender-specific illness
• Women risk cervical/breast cancer and men risk prostate/testicular cancer
• Women endure reproductive health issues more than men do
• Negative consequences of gender roles are relevant to both sexes
• Disadvantages tied to being female are larger in developing countries
• Reproductive health risks influenced by gender throughout life

Reproductive Health Problems

• Affect different genders
• Problems stem from Infancy and childhood issues
• Problems stem from Adolescent problems
• Problems stem from Adult problems
• Problems stem from Menopause
• Problems stem from Old age

Childhood Negativities

That affect the health of the girl child due to her gender include

• Gender selection: the preference of boys over girls
• Unwanted pregnancy
• Elective termination
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
• Malnutrition
• Infections
• Neglect/Inability to benefit from services
• Increased Morbidity/Mortality Rates, especially between 2-5 years

Adolescence Period Negativities

That affect the health of the girl child due to her gender include

• Societal Pressure
• Sexual Harassment/Abuse
• Unwanted Pregnancies
• Voluntary Terminations
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Anemia/Malnutrition
• Drug/Substance Abuse (alcohol, smoking, drugs)
• Sex Trafficking
• Violence

Adulthood (15-49 years) Negativities

That affect the health of the girl child due to her gender include

• Pregnancy/Childbirth/Post-Partum Complications
• Unwanted Pregnancies/Intentional Terminations
• STDs
• Anemia/Malnutrition
• Sex Trafficking/Sexual Harassment-abuse/violence
• Maternal Mortality

Menopause and Postmenopausal Period (50+ Years)

• Often ignored are problems encountered during this period are often related to gender/woman's reproductive ability
• Reproductive Health-related problems experienced by women during this period:
  • Menopausal Symptoms
  • Malignancies
  • Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Urogenital Prolapse
  • Violence

Sexual Problems

Factors for sexual problems

- Prohibited Subject
- Lack of formal sex education
- Perceiving sexuality as taboo
- Caring for virginity

• Premature ejaculation is common in men with insufficient experience
• Common in women are orgasm difficulties
• Causes stem from ignorance/lack of education
• Causes stem from false beliefs
• Causes stem from diseases
• Causes stem from drugs
• Some societies restrict sexuality/lack sex education

Lack of Sexual Education/Ignorance

• Causes problems, despite healthy bodies/minds
• Limits ability to have healthy relationships
• Taboos/prohibitions create sexual problems/dysfunctions
• Results show in surveys on sources of sexual dysfunction

False Beliefs About Sexual Life

• Based on wrong or biased beliefs
• Shown through jokes, press, pornography
• Belittles women
• Affects men by devaluing their feelings
• Leads to an unhealthy approach to love