Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

• Sex is the biological dimension of gender and sexuality, referring to biological or physical characteristics.
• It relates to identity based on sexual anatomy and physiology relevant to reproduction.
• Sex is typically determined by examining genitals, which are external organs associated with reproduction.
• At birth, a child with a penis and testicles is categorized as male, while a child with a vagina is categorized as female.
• Intersexuality, formerly known as hermaphroditism, refers to cases where a baby's genitals appear to be a mix of male and female organs, making sex classification difficult, and occurs in approximately 1 in 1,500 births.
• Sex chromosomes, such as XY for males and XX for females, are used to determine sex.
• Hormone levels, like higher testosterone in males (associated with sex drive and aggression) and higher estrogen and progesterone in females (associated with lactation, menstruation, and other female reproductive functions), are used as markers.

Gender

• Humans create social norms that attach cultural meanings to things, including sex, which influences gender expectations.
• Awareness of a child's sex leads to the attachment of social and cultural meanings, setting expectations for behavior and treatment.
• Adults manifest social interpretations of a baby's sex through colors, such as blue for boys and pink for girls.
• Names, toys, and apparel are chosen based on the interpreted sex of the baby.
• Gender identity refers to one's sense of self as a man, woman, or neither.
• Transgenders are individuals whose biological sex does not align with their gender identity.
• Transgender people may undergo gender reassignment surgery for alignment, though factors like belief systems, culture, and economics can influence this decision.

Sexual Orientation

• Sexual orientation pertains to emotional and sexual attraction to a person, which typically develops around ages 6 to 8.
• Heterosexual individuals are attracted to the opposite sex.
• Homosexual individuals are attracted to the same sex (gay or lesbian).
• Bisexual individuals are attracted to both sexes.
• LGBT refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

The Biological Female

• The female external genitalia includes:
  • The vulva, encompassing all external genital structures.
  • Mons veneris, pads of fatty tissue between the pubic bone and skin.
  • Labia majora, the outer lips surrounding other structures.
  • Prepuce, the clitoral hood (foreskin above and covering the clitoris).
  • Clitoris, with the glans (head), shaft, and crura (root), highly sensitive to stimulation.
  • Labia minora, the inner lips surrounding the vestibule, containing sweat and oil glands, extensive blood vessels, and nerve endings.
  • Vestibule, surrounding the urethral opening and vagina, highly sensitive with extensive blood vessels and nerve endings.
  • Urethral opening, the end of the tube connecting to the bladder, used for urination.
  • Vaginal opening, also called the introitus.
  • Perineum, the area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus; distance is less in females than in males.

The Biological Male

• The male sexual anatomy is designed for sperm production and delivery to fertilize the female ovum.
• The male external genitalia includes:
  • Prepuce, the foreskin covering the head of the penis, removed during circumcision.
  • Penis, with the glans (head), shaft, and root, highly sensitive to stimulation.
  • Corona, the rim of the glans where it arises from the shaft.
  • Frenulum, a thin strip of skin connecting the glans and shaft, located on the underside of the penis.
  • Scrotum, a sac enclosing the two compartments housing the testes.
  • Urethral opening, a tube connected to the bladder used for urination and ejaculation.
  • Perineum, the area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus; distance is greater in males than in females.