Lesson 3 Sex and Human Sexuality PDF

Lesson 3: Sex and Human Sexuality Objectives 1. Understood the concept of sex as the biological component of sexuality. 2. Gained knowledge regarding the biological differences of male and female. 3. Explored the impact of body shaming on confidence and self-acceptance....

Lesson 3: Sex and Human Sexuality Objectives 1. Understood the concept of sex as the biological component of sexuality. 2. Gained knowledge regarding the biological differences of male and female. 3. Explored the impact of body shaming on confidence and self-acceptance. 4. Enhanced awareness of the nature of sexuality and the various views on sexual behavior. Introduction “Sexuality is one of the fundamental drives behind everyone’s feelings, thoughts, and actions. It defined the means of biological reproduction, describes psychological and sociological representations of self, and orients a person’s attraction to others. Further, it shapes the brain and body to be pleasure-seeking. Yet, as important as sexuality is to being human, it is often viewed as a taboo topic for personal or scientific inquiry” - Lucas and Fox, Northwest Vista College Sex makes the world go around: It makes babies bond, children giggle, adolescents flirt, and adults have babies. It is addressed in the Holy Books of the world’s greatest religions, and it infiltrates every part of the society. It influences the way one dress, joke, and talk. In many ways, sex defines who we are. It is so important, that eminent neuropsychologist Karl Pribram (1958) described sex as one of the four basis human drive states. Drive states motivates us to accomplish goals. They are linked to our survival. According to Pribram, feeding, fighting, fleeing, and sex are four drives behind every thought, feeling, or action. Since these drives are so closely associated with our psychological health, you would assume people would study, understand, and discuss them openly. Your assumption would be generally correct for three of the four drives. The concept of sexuality, however, is the least understood, and least openly discussed. This module presents an opportunity for you to think openly and objectively about sex. Without shame or taboo, using science as a lenses, we examine the fundamental aspects of human sexuality. We begin by exploring Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation, as three different parts of our Sexual selves. LESSON 3. Part I. Sex as the Biological Component of Sexuality Sex – refers to biological characteristics differentiating male, female, or intersex – describe means of biological reproduction; includes sexual organs, such as ovaries—defining what it is to be a female—or testes—defining what it is to be male. Types of Sex 1. Male 2. Female 3. Intersex – people with chromosomes, anatomy, or other sex characteristics that can’t be categorized as male or female (*Klinefelter, Androgen insensitivity syndrome, classical congenital hyperplasia, Ovotestes, etc.) Sex at Birth: often assigned based on external genetalia; anatomical sex and phenotype (composite observable characteristics of an organism) Differences between male and female: 1. External Genetalia 2. Reproductive System 3. Sex-linked Chromosomes 4. Hormone levels 5. Brain Differences 6. Secondary Sex Characteristics MALE AND FEMALE BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES Male Female Structure Function Structure Function External Penis - Urination Vagina - Urination Genetalia - Sexual intercourse - Sexual intercourse - Childbirth Reproductive Testes - Production & Ovary - Production & Organs storage of Sperm storage of egg Cells cells - Contain fetus during pregnancy Sex-linked XY Chromosomes - Contain less genes XX Chromosomes - Contain more Chromosomes genes Hormone Levels Typically, more Testosterone: Typically, more Estrogen: regulate testosterone Regulate bone mass, estrogen and menstrual cycle; sex drive, fat progesterone responsible for distribution, muscle female secondary mass and strength, sex characteristics RBC and sperm Progesterone: production prepares the body for potential pregnancy after ovulation Brain structure Bigger Amygdala - Males tend to - Bigger - Females tend to (emotion) experience hippocampus have better emotions more (learning and memories intensely memorization) ***expression may - Bigger corpus - Females are be modified by social callosum (brain more likely to correlates. coordination) rapidly shift attention from one task to the next  Secondary Sex Voice - Often deeper Voice - Often higher Characteristics sounding compared to compared to males females Body Hairs - Often denser Breast - Often fuller (beard, etc.) compared to compared to Body type females; presence males of beard - Often broader than Waste females Waste - Often narrower - Noticeable Adam’s than males apple Throat Sex Identification of Typical Cases – an infant is either born male or female; sex at birth is often easily identified by examining the external genetalia Sex Identification of Atypical Cases – an infant is either born with ambiguous sexual characteristics, making categorization to male or female difficult or impossible at the time of birth; further tests and observations may be required Physical Attractiveness – the aesthetic evaluation of physical appearance. Body-image – the perception that a person has of their physical self and the thoughts and feelings that result from that perception. These feelings can be positive, negative, or both, and are influence by individual and environmental factors. Body Shaming – the act of discrimination based on physical attributes; expression of mockery or criticism about a person’s body shape or size. Body Shame – occurs when a person internally feels increases the risk for physiological problems, relationship avoidance, sexual avoidance, and problems with self-esteem. Self-acceptance – feelings of satisfaction with oneself despite deficiencies and regardless of past behaviors and choices, often following a realistic appraisal of oneself. Self-worth – the sense of one’s own value. Activities Activity 6: Best Part of Me Instructions Fill-out the table below: My Least What I think What I feel What I do Is this thinking/ What I plan to Feeling/ Action Favorite Body about it About It About it do about it helping, or not Part beneficial to me?  My Most What I think What I feel What I do Is this thinking/ What I plan to Feeling/ Action Favorite Body about it About It About it do about it helping, or not Part beneficial to me? Processing 1. What have you noticed about your pattern of thinking, feeling and acting towards your most favorite and least favorite body part? 2. Are you comfortable answering the questions? What makes you comfortable / uncomfortable? 3. How do you feel about your answers? Do you think any of your thought, feeling, or acting needs changing? Why? 4. What aspect of society do you think influenced your attitude towards your least favorite and most favorite body part? Synthesis It is possible for people to underestimate how attractive they could be to someone. Television, movies, magazines, and even pornography can lead people to believe that there are only certain body types that deserve attention. However, one’s body type doesn’t dictate one’s worth as a person; neither does it dictate one’s worth of being in a romantic or sexual relationship. Our body image has a strong influence on how we behave towards ourselves as well as towards others. How we see ourselves often affect the degree of confidence with which we carry ourselves in the presence of others; it also affects the degree of confidence we experience internally. Nevertheless, the effect of improving one’s body image goes beyond raising one’s self-esteem. One major area where body image comes into play is how we navigate through various sex-related experiences; from courtship, to dating, to marriage or consensual sexual activity. For instance, several studies show that among women who dislike or feel shameful about their bodies, sexual risk-taking is higher. Individuals with poorer body image are also more likely to resort to substance use and abuse to cope with the often-present sense of inferiority. Schreber (2019), noted: “when we do not feel compelled to compensate for an emptiness brought about by poor body image, we are less likely to engage in behaviors that pose potential harm to physical and mental health.” Improving your body image can take a lot of work. Rather than looking for someone from the outside to prove your attractiveness to you, it’s important to discover this first. What do you appreciate most about your body? Orient to what you appreciate the most, even when you can’t appreciate it fully at first. If you focus on a little more appreciation, you can set yourself up on a trajectory for self- appreciation and eventually to healthy levels of self-worth. © Michael Salas, 2018 © Catherine Schreiber, 2019 LESSON 3. Part 2. Sexuality, Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behavior. Early identification theories few explicit distinctions among gender identity, gender role and sexual orientation; all three are considered aspects of identification with the same sex parent. Researchers now acknowledge, however, that the three issues are conceptually separate and, in fact not necessarily correlated. Sexuality – a person’s capacity for sexual feelings On Sex and Gender: It is common to use the terms sex and gender interchangeably; however, in modern usage, these terms are distinct from one another. Sex and gender are important aspects of a person’s identity, but it does not tell us about a person’s sexual orientation. Sexual Orientation – refers to a person’s capacity to arouse the sexual interest of another, or, conversely, the sexual interest one feels towards another. It is also defined as “an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these); that is believed to be independent of cultural and other social experiences.” Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s preference for sexual partners of the same or other sex. A person with heterosexual orientation is attracted to partners of the other sex; one with a homosexual orientation is attracted to partners of the same sex. Despite the early theorists’ equation of male homosexuality with femininity, sexual orientation does not necessarily correlate with either gender identity or gender role (for example, a woman who is sexually attracted to other women usually has no conflict or uncertainty about whether she is indeed female and may or may not adhere to aspects of the traditional feminine gender role). * While some argue that sexual attraction is primarily driven by reproduction, empirical studies point to pleasure as the primary force behind our sex drive. * Sexual Orientation is as diverse as gender identity. Erogenous Zones – areas in the body that results in sexual pleasure when manipulated On Sexual Fluidity: Although a person’s intimate behavior may have sexual fluidity (changing due to circumstances), sexual orientations are relatively stable across the lifespan, and are genetically rooted. Sexual Preference – a degree of voluntary choice regarding sexual partners; may be influenced by social systems like religion, language, and ethnic traditions. Sexual Identity – Individuals may or may not consider their sexual orientation to define their identity, as they may experience various degrees of fluidity with sexuality, or simply identify more strongly as other aspects of their identity such as a family role. Sexual Behavior – the act of engagement in sexual activity, typically involving the stimulation of erogenous zone to derive sexual pleasure between partners or with oneself. Common Types of Sexual Behavior 1. Sexual Fantasies – any mental imagery that is sexually arousing 2. Masturbation – tactile stimulation of the body for sexual pleasure 3. Coital sex – the term for vaginal-penile intercourse 4. Oral sex – oral stimulation of male or female sexual organ 5. Anal sex – defined as penetration by the anus of an object (stimulates the sensory nerve of the anus) Society and Sexual Behavior Sexual behavior considered normal depends on culture. Cultural Attitudes towards Sexual Behavior 1. Sexually restrictive cultures – often possess a more rigid outlook on sexuality along with a dominantly negative attitude towards any form of sexual expression and/or activity. Sex may be seen as taboo, and related behaviors may be strictly regulated or prohibited altogether. 2. Sexually permissive cultures – often hold more progressive views and attitudes towards sexuality and exhibit more leniency in evaluation and regulation of sex-related behavior. Sophia Xepoleas (retrieved, 2015)  Societies generally have norms that reinforce their accepted social system of sexuality.  What is considered normal in terms of sexual behavior is based on the mores and values of the society  Individuals are socialized to sexual attitudes by their family, education system, peers, media, and religion  Historically, religion has been the greatest influence in sexual behaviors of most societies, but in more recent years, peers and media have emerged as two of the strongest influences  Normative standards on sexual behavior differ across the world Example: Non-Western societies – such as India and China – valued Chastity in a potential mate, while western European countries – such as Sweden and Norway – place little value on prior sexual experiences Critical Thinking! Do you think cohabiting should be encouraged of discouraged among long-term couples? Why or why not? Sexuality and Religion: Catholic Teachings on Sexuality Roman Catholic Church believes that “Human life and human sexuality are inseparable. Since God created man in His own image, the human body and sex must likewise be good.”  Same-sex marriage: The Catholic Church considers sexual activity between members of the same sex as a sin; marriage is defined as “a covenant by which a man and woman establish  between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of offspring.”  Premarital Sex: The Catholic Church disapproves of fornication (sexual intercourse between two people not married to each other), calling it “gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and human sexuality.”  Age of Sexual Consent: 12 years old  Homosexuality: The Catholic Church welcomes celibate gay and lesbian people but condemns homosexual acts. - “Homosexual persons are called to chastity. Such person must be accepted with respect and sensitivity.” - “Homosexual acts are intrinsically immoral and contrary to natural law”  Masturbation and Birth Control: The Catholic Church sees masturbation as sinful and disapproves of “Artificial” means of birth control.  Incest: The Catholic Church disapproves of and does not recognize any form of incestuous relationships Sexuality and Mental Health DSMV – the official manual for diagnosis of mental health disorders. Mental Health Disorders Associated with Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation 1. Gender Dysphoria – the distress a person feels due to a mismatch between gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. Gender Non-conformity vs. Gender Dysphoria: differentiated by clinically significant distress. 2. Transsexualism – desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by the desire for surgery and hormonal treatment. 3. Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood – persistence and intense distress about one’s assigned gender, manifested prior to puberty. 4. Sexual Maturation Disorder – Uncertainty about one’s gender identity or sexual orientation, causing anxiety or distress. Sexuality and Health Risky Sexual Behaviors 1. Unprotected sex-work  Medical Dangers: - Increased risk of STD 2. Multiple Sexual Partners / Anonymous partners  Medical Dangers: - Increased risk of STD 3. Ellicit drug use  Medical Dangers: - Irreversible damage to the central nervous system - Increase risk of heart attack and stroke 4. Penile-anal sex  Medical Dangers: - High risk for Infection  - Damage to anus and rectum - Increased risk of STD Sexually Transmitted Diseases – a condition passed from one person to another through sexual contact Symptoms of STD: 1. Pain or discomfort during sex or urination 2. Sore, bumps, or rashes on or around the penis/vagina 3. Unusual discharge or bleeding from the penis/vagina 4. Painful or swollen testicles Most Common Types of STDs 1. Chlamydia 2. HPV / Human Papillovirus 3. Syphilis 4. HIV 5. Gonorrhea 6. Pubic Lice 7. Trichomoniasis 8. Herpes Activities Activity 7: Radio Drama: Noon at Ngayon (Recorded) Instructions: Come up with a 3-minute radio drama to describe and contrast Filipino attitudes to sexuality in the past and at present. Choose among the topics: a. Cohabitation b. Pregnancy Outside Wedlock c. Attitude towards Virginity in selection of long-term romantic partners d. Same-sex relationship e. Expression of one’s LGBTQ gender Identity Guidelines:  The three-minute program should present not less than 2 but not more than 5 scenarios under the same category.  Music, sound effect, or script may be used as transition between scenario  Each scenario must portray changes in Filipino values on dating and sexuality, in the past (70’s, 80’s or 90’s) and in the present (2020).  Rules are strictly observed. a. No obscene language b. No sexual sounds c. No portrayal of sexual behavior  d. No duplication of scenes  Your work should be recorded in mp3 format and submitted to the official email of your class.  Answer the processing questions and send it with your Radio Drama.  Top 3 Best Works will be featured and discussed in class and earn additional points. Processing: 1. What does your Radio Drama reveal about values and attitudes of today’s generation regarding your selected topic? 2. Do you agree with these changes? Do you think people should revisit the Filipino values in the past or accept the emerging Filipino values at present? 3. What does this tell us about our spiritual or religious convictions? What is your personal view on this matter? Synthesis As a predominantly Christian country, Philippines considers that the only sexual behavior morally and legally acceptable and appropriate is heterosexual intercourse within a monogamous marriage, with the exemption of polygamous marriage as practiced by some Filipino minority groups and by Muslim communities. Nevertheless, the attitudes of today’s Filipinos appear to have become more tolerant of behaviors that used to be strongly frowned upon or condemned in the past. While majority of the older generation appear to remain committed to more or less traditional outlook, young people are faced with the decision to either ascribe to their parents’ and caregivers’ attitudes and value system, to conform with the emerging ideals brought about by this information age, or to consciously define their own moral standards based on personal opinions, moral principles, spiritual or religious convictions, direct or indirect observations, and related experiences.