Module 5: The Sexual Self Notes PDF

MODULE 5 : THE SEXUAL SELF LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Discuss the different concepts related to one's sexual self 2. Understand human sexuality 3. Appreciate the role of language in keeping a long-lasting relationship 4. Analyze the sexual response cycle 5. Show awareness on the risks of se...

MODULE 5 : THE SEXUAL SELF LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Discuss the different concepts related to one's sexual self 2. Understand human sexuality 3. Appreciate the role of language in keeping a long-lasting relationship 4. Analyze the sexual response cycle 5. Show awareness on the risks of sexually transmitted disease. - **Sex** - **physiological differences** found among male, female, and various intersex bodies. - **Gender** -- **socio-cultural distinctions** associated with being male, female, or intersex. - **Sexuality** - **sexual interest** and **attraction** to others, as well as their capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. - Terms sex and gender are not interchangeable - A person's **sex**, as determined by his or her biology, does not always correspond with his or her **gender**. - A baby boy who is born with male genitalia will be identified as **male**. As he grows, however, he may identify with the **feminine** aspects of his culture. - Characteristics of **sex** do not vary between different human societies. - All persons of the female sex, regardless of culture, will eventually menstruate and develop breasts that can lactate. - Characteristics of **gender**, on the other hand, may vary greatly between different societies. - In **American** culture, it is considered feminine to wear a dress or skirt. - In many **Middle Eastern**, **Asian**, and **African** cultures, dresses or skirts (often referred to as sarongs, robes, or gowns) can be considered masculine. - The kilt worn by a Scottish male does not make him appear feminine in his culture. - **Sexual orientation** refers to a person's emotional and sexual attraction to a particular sex (male or female). - Sexual orientation is typically divided into four categories: 1. **Heterosexuality** (straight) - attraction to individuals of the opposite sex 2. **Homosexuality** (gay) - attraction to individuals of the same sex 3. **Bisexuality** - attraction to individuals of either sex 4. **Asexuality** - no attraction to either sex - There is no scientific consensus regarding the exact reasons why an individual holds a heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual orientation. - Research has made clear that **sexual orientation is not a choice**, but rather it is a **relatively stable characteristic of a person that cannot be changed**. - **Gender Role** refers to society's concept of how men and women are expected to act and how they should behave. - These roles are based on norms, or standards, created by **society**. - One way children learn gender roles is through **play**. - Adherence to them demonstrates fulfillment of social expectations but **not necessarily personal preference**. - **Gender identity** is an **individual's self-conception** of being male or female based on his or her association with masculine or feminine gender roles. - **Cisgender** is used to describe people whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex - Individuals who identify with the role that is the opposite of their biological sex are called **transgendered**. - Transgendered individuals who wish to alter their bodies through medical interventions such as surgery and hormonal therapy are called **transsexuals**. - Also known as male-to-female (MTF) or female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals. - Not all transgendered individuals choose to alter their bodies: many will maintain their original anatomy but may present themselves to society as the opposite gender. - Cross-dressing is typically a form of self-expression, entertainment, or personal style, not necessarily an expression against one's assigned gender. - **Human sexuality** refers to people's **sexual interest** in and **attraction to others.** It is the capacity to have erotic or sexual feelings and experiences. - May be experienced and expressed through thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles, and relationships. - **Hypothalamus** plays an important role in motivated behaviors, and sex is no exception. - The **Medial Preoptic Area** is involved in the [ability to engage in sexual behavior], but it does not affect sexual motivation. - The **Amygdala** and **Nucleus Accumbens** are involved in [motivation for sexual behavior], but they do not affect the ability to engage in it. - **Love language** is a concept that describes the ways that people **receive and express love** in a relationship. - Knowing your partner\'s love language and letting them know yours can help you ensure you **both feel loved and appreciated in your relationship**. 5. **Words of affirmation** is about expressing affection through spoken words, praise, or appreciation. 6. **Quality Time** - love and affection are expressed through undivided attention. 7. **Physical Touch** - person with this love language feels loved through physical affection. 8. **Acts of Service** - a person feels loved and appreciated when someone does nice things for them, such as helping to carry things, running errands, etc. 9. **Gift-giving** is symbolic of love and affection for someone with this love language. They treasure not only the gift itself but also the time and effort the gift-giver put into it. SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE - The four phases of sexual response cycle was developed by **William Masters** and **Virginia Johnson**. - Their research demonstrated the often-cited statistic of the **average size of a flaccid** and **an erect penis** (3 and 6 inches, respectively) - Relationships between the **size of a man's erect penis** and his ability to **provide sexual pleasure** to his female partner. - They determined that the **vagina** is a very **elastic structure** that can conform to penises of various sizes - It is marked by erection of the penis or clitoris and lubrication and expansion of the vaginal canal. 2. **Plateau** - women experience further swelling of the vagina and increased blood flow to the labia minora, and men experience full erection and often exhibit pre-ejaculatory fluid. 3. **Orgasm** is marked in women by rhythmic contractions of the pelvis and uterus along with increased muscle tension. In men, pelvic contractions are accompanied by a buildup of seminal fluid near the urethra that is ultimately forced out by contractions of genital muscles. 4. **Resolution** is the relatively rapid return to an unaroused state accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure and muscular relaxation. While many women can quickly repeat the sexual response cycle, men must pass through a longer refractory period as part of resolution. The **refractory period** is a period of time that follows an orgasm during which an individual is incapable of experiencing another orgasm. As men age, their refractory periods tend to span longer periods of time. A diagram of a graph Description automatically generated SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE - Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are generally acquired by sexual contact. - The bacteria, viruses or parasites that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person to person in **blood, semen,** or **vaginal** and **other bodily fluids**. - Sometimes these infections can be transmitted nonsexually, such as from mothers to their infants during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared needles.  - Use latex condoms every time you have sex. - If you use a lubricant, make sure it\'s water-based. - Avoid sharing towels or underclothing. - Wash before and after intercourse. - Get a vaccination for hepatitis, get tested for HIV. - If you have a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, get help. People who are drunk or on drugs often fail to have safe sex. - Consider that not having sex is the only sure way to prevent STDs.