Understanding Sexuality and Sex Education

Sexuality is a central aspect of being human, encompassing sex, gender, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction. It includes thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles, and relationships.

How people experience and express themselves as sexual beings.

To promote sexual health and safety, including prevention of sexual violence, not just sexual intercourse.

Education, occupation, income, economics, laws, politics, media, society, and culture.

Sexuality, encompassing sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction, is a core part of human experience.

Sex refers to biological characteristics (like chromosomes and genitalia), while gender refers to social and personal characteristics associated with being female or male.

A period of hormonal and physical changes causing sexual maturity.

Puberty can occur at different rates and ages due to various factors like stress, health conditions, and genetics.

A period of rapid growth in height, usually experienced during puberty, with girls usually earlier than boys.

Physical traits distinguishing males and females not involved in reproduction, such as breasts or facial hair.

The emotional part of the brain develops faster than the logical part during adolescence.

Teenagers could struggle with drastic transformations, emotional changes and difficulties with communication, potentially misconstrued as drama by adults.

Mishandled stress and other issues can lead to depression and other serious mental health problems, potentially including suicide.

A term used by individuals who do not identify as solely male or female.

A person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

An individual whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

A person who does not identify with any gender.

An individual who does not identify solely as male or female, but may identify as both, neither, or another gender.

A person's enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to another person.

A person who undergoes a process of transitioning their physical sex to align with their gender identity.

Infections that are spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, or anal.

Socially constructed ideas of what is considered attractive or aesthetically pleasing, often influenced by cultural norms, media, and historical context.

Negative comments or actions directed towards an individual's physical appearance, often leading to feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and body image issues.

How different societies perceive and respond to obesity, often influenced by cultural beliefs, values, and historical context.

Society plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions of beauty through media, advertising, and social norms.

The use of beauty standards to enforce societal expectations and often perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women.

The idealized, often unrealistic version of oneself presented online, often achieved using filters and editing apps.

The feeling of needing to look perfect and conform to beauty standards promoted on social media platforms.

A negative perception of one's body, often leading to dissatisfaction and unhealthy behaviors.

Recognizing and appreciating the wide range of beauty standards across cultures and rejecting the pressure to conform.

Practices aimed at improving appearance that can have serious adverse health consequences.

Embracing and valuing oneself for who they are, including imperfections.

Refusing to conform to unrealistic beauty standards imposed by society.

Different cultures have varying ideas about what constitutes beauty. These standards can influence people's perceptions of attractiveness and self-worth.

Beauty is not just a personal preference, but can be seen as a valuable asset, especially in societies where certain physical features are highly prized.

Colonial powers can impact local beauty standards by introducing new ideals, often favoring lighter skin tones.

In some cultures, lighter skin is associated with higher social status, power, and desirability.

The Philippines has been influenced by its colonial history, leading to a preference for lighter skin.

A culture where people are judged and treated differently based on their physical appearance.

In some societies, beauty is seen as a pathway to happiness, which can lead to pressure to achieve certain appearance standards.

Women are often subjected to higher standards of physical appearance than men.