The Sexual Self PDF

# The Sexual Self ## Development of Sex Characteristics and the Human Reproductive System - **Primary Sex Characteristics** - physical characteristics that are present at birth - characteristics that distinguish male from females - **Females** - characteristics include the vagina, u...

# The Sexual Self ## Development of Sex Characteristics and the Human Reproductive System - **Primary Sex Characteristics** - physical characteristics that are present at birth - characteristics that distinguish male from females - **Females** - characteristics include the vagina, uterus and ovaries - **Males** - characteristics includes the penis, testes or testicles, scrotum and prostate glands - **Secondary Sex Characteristics** - development during the onset of puberty - **Female** - enlargement of breast, onset menstruation, widening of the hips, enlargement of buttocks, growth of pubic hair - **Male** - testicular growth, sperm production, appearance of facial, pubic or other pubic hair, deepening of voice. ## The Human Reproductive System This image is of the reproductive system of a human being. The left side of the image features the male reproductive system, while the right side features the female reproductive system. The image is labeled with the names and functions of the different parts of the reproductive system. ## Sexual Arousal and Erogenous Zones: What turns People On - **Erogenous Zones** - areas of the body that are highly sensitive and produce sexual response when stimulated. - these includes the genitals, mouth, breast, ears, anus and to a lesser degree, the entire surface of the body. - one of the most basic forms of sexual stimulation is masturbation or self-stimulation that causes sexual pleasure or orgasm. ## Cognitive Factors - Play an important role in sexual arousal of humans. ## Culture - influences the expression of sexual desire - norms continue shapes the sexual activity along the socially acceptable behaviors ## Four Phases of Sexual Response: William Masters and Virginia Johnson 1. **Excitement Phase** - the beginning of sexual arousal and can last from one minute to several hours 2. **Plateau Phase** - the change in the body continue 3. **Orgasmic Phase** - contractions of muscle in and around the penis stimulate the release of semen which contains the sperm cells. 4. **Resolution Phase** - The body return to its normal state after orgasm. ## Attraction, Love and Attachment ### Puberty - It is an important stage in sexual development. - It is the time when many boys and girls first experience their first sexual attraction. - Initial attraction is influenced by: - **Social Norms** - influence attraction in several ways such as in determining who are appropriate as lovers and spouse. - **Physical Attractiveness** - the degree to which a person’s physical traits are regarded as aesthetically pleasing or beautiful. - **Processes of Interpersonal Exchange** - Social exchange theory. ### Social Exchange Theory - proposes that attraction is the result of an exchange process. - people tends to view relationships as the result of the rewards and costs they entail. - As the relationship develops, the sharing of activities and information contributes to increase attraction, liking, trust and love. ### Three Components of Love 1. **Intimacy Component** - refers to the feelings of closeness, connectedness and bondedness. 2. **Passion Component** - refers to the drives that leads to romance, physical attraction and sexual consummation. 3. **Commitment Component** - refers to the decision to love and the commitment to maintain that love. ### Romantic Love - includes a complex combination of different emotions such as fear anger, sexual desire, joy and jealousy. - Some of this emotions may also be sources of suffering (Santrock, 2012) - has a strong component of sexual attraction and infatuation and is often experienced in the early stage of a love relationship. ### Important Ingredients of Romantic Love 1. **Lust** - Driven by desire for sexual attraction. 2. **Attraction** - Often associated with sexual attraction 3. **Attachment** - Occurs when individuals desire to connect with another person intimately, also be called affectionate or companionate love. ### Attachments - **According to Helen Fisher** - Biological anthropologist and expert in the science of human attraction suggest that the important ingredients of romantic love: lust, attraction and attachment. - **According to John Bowlby 1964** - Defines attachment as a strong affectionate tie that binds a person to an intimate companion. - Maintains that the quality of early parent-child attachment has lasting impact on the kind of relationships people have later in life, including romantic relationships - The ability to form a stable and close relationships begins at infancy, in a child earliest experience with a caregiver who meets his or her needs ## Sexual Orientation - **Sexual Orientation** refers to a person's sexual identity anchored on what gender they are attracted to. - **Most Common Sexual Orientations:** - **Heterosexuality** - Sexually attracted to the opposite sex - **Homosexuality** - Sexually attracted to the same sex - **Bisexuality** - Attracted to both opposite and same sex - **Homosexual Males** - Are referred to as gays - **Homosexual Females** - are referred to as lesbians ## Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) and Early Pregnancies - Contracted primarily through sexual contact. - Bacterial infections are treatable with antibiotics, but viruses such as HIV/AIDS are more difficult to treat and often incurable. - Even curable bacteria can cause serious health problems if ignored and left untreated. - Some bacterial infections are difficult to detect because some symptoms are not immediately noticeable. - **STI's commonly include:** human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, genital herpes, and genital warts. ### HIV/AIDS - Infections caused by direct contact body with fluids such as through blood transfusion, breast feeding, and sexual intercourse. - Attacks immune system and infected person eventually dies. ### Gonorrhea - Caused by gonococcal bacteria which attack the lining of the mucous membrane such as mouth, throat, vagina, and urethra. - It can be treated by penicillin or other antibiotics. ### Syphilis - Infects the genital areas and other parts of the body including the brain. - Can cause paralysis or even death when left untreated. ### Chlamydia - Cause by chlamydia trachomatis. - In men, can cause swollen testicles and burning sensation during urinization. - In women, can cause sterility if let untreated because it damages uterus, ovaries and fallopian tube. ### Genital Herpes - Can cause tingling sensations, abscesses, and blisters in genital area. - There is no cure for herpes. ### Genital Warts - Causes by human papillomavirus and women with papillomavirus are prone cervical cancer. ## Early Pregnancy - The major concern in the Philippines - Complication may arise during pregnancy. - Female reproductive organ is not yet mature during adolescence. - Creates health risk among young mothers and their babies ## Methods of Contraception - **Contraception** Refers to the methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. - Condom - Oral Contraceptive pills - Intarauterine device or IUD - Birth Control Injection ### Cervical Mucus Method - Also called Billing Ovulation Method - A type of natural family planning methods based on careful observation of mucus pattern during the course of the menstrual cycle. ### Mucus Pattern - Help in determining when a woman is most likely to conceive or not. ### The Reproductive Health Law - **Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012** also known as **Reproductive Health law or RH Law** - Guarantees universal access to method of contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and material care. - Provides for the "Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STIs/STDs. - Aims to keep couples and women especially, well-informed about available family planning methods that they can freely use depending on their needs and beliefs. - Aims to promote awareness among adolescent and youth on sexuality and reproductive.