HSCI 1120: Intro to Human Sexuality & Behaviour - Class 16 - Sexual Behaviors and Relationships PDF

HSCI 1120: INTRO TO HUMAN SEXUALITY & BEHAVIOUR Class 16: Sexual Behaviours and Relationships  AGENDA 1) Defining Sex 2) First Sexual Experience 3) Sexual Consent 4) Solitary Sexual Behaviours 5) Partnered Sexual Behaviours 6) Satisfaction, Preferenc...

HSCI 1120: INTRO TO HUMAN SEXUALITY & BEHAVIOUR Class 16: Sexual Behaviours and Relationships  AGENDA 1) Defining Sex 2) First Sexual Experience 3) Sexual Consent 4) Solitary Sexual Behaviours 5) Partnered Sexual Behaviours 6) Satisfaction, Preferences, and Toys 7) Dating, Committed Relationships, and Divorce 8) Non-Monogamous Relationships 9) Media 10) Conclusion  GLOSSARY Beads (or balls): a sex toy that consists of a series of balls connected by a string and that can be inserted into the rectum or vagina and removed at varying speeds Dildo: a penetrative device, often shaped like a penis, that can be used to stimulate various parts of the bod Penis extender: a device that attaches to the penis to make the penis seem longer and/or wider. Penis pump: a device that draws blood into the penis, designed to heighten sensation and assist men with erection difficulties. Penis ring: a ring placed at the base of the penis to prolong erection by keeping the blood inside the penis. Phone sex: sexual activity that takes place via telephone, either through live conversations or by listening to sexually explicit pre-recorded messages Sexual fantasies: sexual thoughts or images that stimulate a person physiologically and/or emotionally Vibrator: a vibrating device used to stimulate various parts of the body. DEFINING SEX  WHAT DO WE MEAN BY SEX? Individuals are more likely to define a sexual activity as “having sex” if it involved mutual genital contact and orgasm A person’s definition can have important implications to their sexual health and actions may be at higher risk for certain STIs obstacle to education and prevention FIRST SEXUAL EXPERIENCE  FIRST SEXUAL EXPERIENCE Sex is an important rite of passage for many Most Canadians have had sex before their 20s Age at first intercourse is used to inform health policies and intervention strategies. Later age of intercourse is linked to things such as parental disapproval of early sex, greater parental control, academic achievement, etc. Earlier age of intercourse is linked to things such as peer pressure to have sex, substance use with friends, having an older partner, etc. Estimated proportion of Canadian students who have had penile-vaginal intercourse: by Grade 9: 19% to 23% by Grade 11: 40% to 46%  REACTIONS TO FIRST SEXUAL EXPERIENCE A wide range of emotions is typical after first sexual experience Canadian study of 358 university students: 72% men and 61% women rated their first sexual experience as “perfect”, “very good”, or “good.” 11% of men and 13% of women called it either “bad” or “very bad.” Men reported more pleasure than women did. 62% men vs. 6% women recalled having an orgasm. SEXUAL CONSENT  SEXUAL CONSENT Before having sex, both partners need to give consent Three key components to consent: 1. The person has to have a clear understanding of what they are consenting to. 2. Consent must be given freely and not coerced. 3. Consent should be ongoing and can be withdrawn at any point. Verbal affirmative consent is the gold standard Most sexual encounters do not follow from explicit statements of consent Consent usually occurs as an unspoken but clear agreement to engage in sexual activity  SEXUAL COMPLIANCE Sexual compliance is when a person freely consents to engaging in sexual activity even when they do not truly want to participate Some reasons people may give consent for sexual activity that is not based on their own sexual desire or preference includes: Make their partner happy Promote intimacy Avoid relationship conflict To gain sexual experience SOLITARY SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS  FANTASIES Fantasies are a normal, healthy part of sex life Not all fantasies need be acted on, but they can be an outlet for exploring sexual desires Common sex fantasies reported by adult Canadians include: making love outdoors participating in acts of domination and submission watching someone undress  MASTURBATION Masturbation is a common practice either alone or with a partner Children as young as 2 or 3 begin to explore their bodies and masturbate for enjoyment and to self-soothe It is the most common sexual behaviour for teenagers By adulthood, almost all men and the majority of women are able to masturbate to orgasm Masturbation is more common among men PARTNERED SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR  TRADITIONAL SEXUAL SCRIPTS Traditional sexual script (TSS) lay out a sequence of sexual behaviours that are associated with “having sex” first kissing, then touching, then undressing, etc. The TSS has been criticized as too inflexible with too much focus on intercourse and orgasm North Americans seem to be developing sexual scripts that are increasingly varied and flexible  KISSING AND TOUCHING Kissing lips and other erogenous zones stimulates a number of senses—touch, smell, and taste—simultaneously Touching is a common element of foreplay in the TSS Some research indicates that same-sex couples spend more time in “non-orgasmic” activities than heterosexual couples  ORAL SEX Stimulating a partner’s genitals orally is a practice that is common in men and women. Oral sex on a woman: cunnilingus Oral sex on a man: fellatio Oral sex on the anus or perineum: anilingus “Sixty-nine” refers to the sexual position in which partners engage in tandem (simultaneous) oral stimulation of each other’s genitals Image from: https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/5625155/what-is-69-sex- position/  NON-PENETRATIVE BEHAVIOURS Frottage: sexual practice in which partners (clothed or not) rub or thrust their genitals against any part of the other person’s body aka dry humping Scissoring: sexual practice in which two partners wrap their legs around each other and rub their vulvas together Tribadism: sexual practice in which a person rubs their vulva against any part of their partner’s body Intercrural sex: sexual practice in which a partner moves their penis between the partner’s thighs without any type of penetration  INTERCOURSE Intercourse involves penetration (the insertion of a penis, dildo, or sex toy) into either the vaginal or anal opening Penile-vagina intercourse is the most common partnered sexual activity among heterosexual adults Most common penile-vaginal intercourse positions penetrated partner on top penetrating partner on top rear entry side by side  ORGASM Orgasm is an important element in our TSS, but it is not a sexual behaviour Orgasm is often viewed as the goal of a sexual encounter and indicator of sexual satisfaction. Many women orgasm in ways other than following intercourse People with certain disabilities may not be able to orgasm, and find their experiences are excluded from TSS SATISFACTION, PREFERENCES & TOYS  SEXUAL SATISFACTION Sexual satisfaction plays an integral role in overall quality of life including mental and physical health People in committed long-term relationships report that they are happy with their sexual relationship Interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction Where discrete sexual behaviours or partner interactions are either a reward (pleasing), cost (displeasing), or both  SEXUAL PREFERENCES Members of couples are expected to differ in a least a few sexual preferences (such as how frequently they desire sex) There are some differences between genders and across sexual orientations Men and women of diverse sexual orientations report a greater affinity for the use of sex toys Men more often than women masturbate, use pornography, and have more casual sex  SEX TOYS The most widely used sex toys are the dildo and the vibrator Vibrators are associated with better sexual functioning, particularly in women Women are more likely than men to use a sex toy Men and women of diverse sexual orientations report a greater affinity for the use of sex toys Heterosexual men use sex toys less than gay and bisexual men and women DATING, COMMITTED RELATIONSHIPS & DIVORCE  DATING Dating is viewed as the courtship stage where partners are not sure how long they will choose to stay together In North America, interest in dating arises at about the same time as young people develop sexual attraction Most young North Americans begin to date, often in large groups, at around 10 or 11 years of age Most people will form a monogamous relationship at some point in their life Most relationships that become monogamous start with dating SGD adolescents may face both a lack of partners and social disapproval Coming out early is often associated with greater risks of negative outcomes in the absence of family and peer support  INTERNET DATING Online relationships follow a pattern: 1. An individual reads another person’s blog or web page and becomes interested in knowing more. 2. Parties communicate and share more information about themselves 3. Two people meet in person and a couple identity forms 3-6% of current marriages and long-term relationships began online  COHABITATION & MARRIAGE The rate of marriage is declining in Canada among mixed-sex couples The numbers of cohabitating couples are rising Canadians are also remaining single for longer perhaps due to pursuit of higher education before marriage The rate of same-sex marriages in Canada has increased since being recognized by law  SEXUAL ACTIVITY IN COMMITTED RELATIONSHIPS Sexual satisfaction in a long-term relationship can fluctuate due to circumstances. E.g., childbirth, stress, hormonal changes The frequency of sex may decline Research suggests couples who are relationally satisfied tend to stay sexually satisfied 87% of married couples and 92% of cohabitating couples have sex monthly or weekly For couples in relationship, sex more than once a week shows no increase in well-being compared to sex once a week  DIVORCE The first marriage divorce rate in Canada is 33% The average length of marriage before a couple chooses divorce is 14.5 years The majority of people who divorce do remarry Divorced individuals enjoy sexual opportunities similar to those of single or never-married individuals 38 per cent reported having sex at least weekly or monthly May find having children in the home or being older than the last time they were single bring challenges to having sex CONSENSUAL NON- MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIPS  CONSENSUAL NON-MONOGAMY There are various types of relationships in which partners explicitly agree that About 3 to 7 per cent of North Americans each may have romantic or report currently being in a CNM relationship sexual relationships with other people. Polyamory CNM relationships include: Swinging open relationships  FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS More acceptable now than ever before Characterized by 4 components: It is ongoing It is sexual It requires no sexual or emotional exclusivity The relationship is rarely discussed directly or revealed to others  POLYAMORY Polyamory is being in a long-term romantic and/or sexual relationship with more than one person at the same time Most polyamorists say they are motivated more by love rather than by sex They have long-term involvements that are relatively egalitarian Polyamorists often have agreed-on rules to help manage jealousy, safety, and other complications of these multi-dyadic sexual relations Different relationship structures within polyamorous relationships Polyamorous relationships may be exclusive or open May be a primary relationship with secondary relationships or may be three or four partners forming one unit  SWINGING & OPEN RELATIONSHIPS Swinging Swinging is the practice of both partners in an emotionally committed relationship agreeing to and participating in sex with other individuals, usually at the same time Swingers do not typically emphasize feelings of love for partners other than their primary partner Open & honest communication regarding rules and boundaries are important Open relationships Open relationships usually take the form of one primary and “emotionally exclusive” relationship in which both partners freely consent to one or both partners having sexual relations, but not emotional bonds, with others Couples are not typically engaging in “partner swapping” or having sex with others at the exact same time  POLYGAMY Polygamy is being married to more than one person at the same time The most popular form is polygyny (man with multiple wives) Historically, polygamy began in large agrarian communities where big families were an asset Research shows that polygynous marital structures may be harmful for women and children lack of social power, lower levels of education, domestic violence, financial distress  VIDEO LINKS Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey | Official Trailer | Netflix (youtube.com) Winston Blackmore and James Oler guilty of polygamy, B.C. judge rules (youtube.com) MEDIA  MEDIA: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES Agenda-setting theory: Cultivation theory: Social learning theory: Media affects what we think is We develop a shared set of Individuals will model their important by highlighting what values and expectations about attitudes and behaviours after we should pay attention to reality based on depictions of the fictional characters they see reality in media. in media.  INFLUENCE OF MEDIA ON SEXUALITY We are exposed to sexual content on This is related to earlier age of first intercourse television from a much Media may reinforce unrealistic sexual earlier age than ever expectations before It provides access to reliable information on Media may have sexual health. educational benefits It encourages open discussion about safer sex and sexual health.  ONLINE SEXUAL ACTIVITY Online sexual activity (OSA): activity that takes place via the Internet for any range of sexual purposes. At least 6 types: 1) Exchange of sexual information Safer sex, sexual pleasure, etc. 2) Dissemination and consumption of sexually explicit material 3) Participation in sexual contact online or to arrange sexual contact 4) Sexual minority communities 5) Buying and selling of sex products 6) Sex work  OSA POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES Positives: Studies show that mild or moderate OSA benefits relationships and increases frequency of sexual activity Negatives: Overuse of OSA leads to neglecting a real partner, increasing chances of separation, and divorce  TYPES OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIALS Soft-core: erotically suggestive without showing genitals or penetrative sexual activity Hard-core: explicitly depicting genitals and/or penetrative sexual activity CONCLUSION  CONCLUSION People have different ideas about what it means to have sex Traditional sexual scripts describe sex as a series of interactions with orgasm as the end goal While non-consensual non-monogamy is not generally accepted, attitudes towards consensual non-monogamy or becoming more permissive The media plays a large part in shaping sexual social norms and the internet facilitates a variety of sexual activities