Chapter 1-3 Understanding The Self PDF

C-GEC1: Understanding the Self Chapter 1: Introduction to Understanding the Self The Self lives, and a broader perspective than we have from − A produc...

C-GEC1: Understanding the Self Chapter 1: Introduction to Understanding the Self The Self lives, and a broader perspective than we have from − A product of social interactions, developed our personality alone. The spiritual level provides over time through social activities and a foundation for the development of the other experiences levels. − The entire person of an individual Social – our social aspect is our characteristic ASPECTS OF THE SELF behavior in social situations. We join others to form partnerships, families, teams, groups, Physical – our physical aspect, is of course, our organizations, companies, communities as well as physical body. It also includes our ability to survive our nation and culture. Maintaining personal and thrive in the material world. Developing the connections contribute to a long and fulfilling life. physical level of our being involves learning to take When we nurture relationships with family and good care of our bodies, and to enjoy them. friends, we create healthy support networks for life. Emotional – our emotional aspect is our ability to experience life deeply, to relate to one another and FACTORS OF THE SELF the world on a feeling level. It's the part of us that seeks meaningful contact and connection with ▪ Social factor – refers to the influences of others. Developing the emotional level of our being significant people in a person’s life such as family, allows us to feel the full range of the human peers, schoolmates and neighbors experience (with the five senses), and find fulfillment in our relationships with ourselves and ▪ Environmental factor - comprises the physical each other. and communal elements present in our everyday surroundings, and are invariably dealt with by Mental – our mental aspect is our intellect, our individuals in a specific geographic region or area. ability to think and reason. The mental level of our It includes climate, forms of land, culture, etc. existence consists of our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and values. Developing the mental level of ▪ Heredity - the passing of certain traits and our being allows us to think clearly, remain open characteristics from one generation to another thru minded, yet discern intelligently. Our minds enable biological process; it is a non-negotiable factor of us to gather knowledge and wisdom from our life the self. experience and from the world around us. ▪ Person-volition – refers to the inclination of a Spiritual – our spiritual aspect is our inner person to form and construct a specific identity, essence, our soul, the part of us that exists beyond which will set him apart or unique compared with time and space. It connects us with the universal others. Some people of this type turned to become source and the oneness of all life. Developing our trend-setter, revolutionaries, discoverers and awareness of the spiritual level of our being allows inventors. us to experience a feeling of "belonging" in the universe, a deeper meaning and purpose in our  C-GEC1: Understanding the Self Chapter 2: The Physical Self Physical Self – Caused by extra sex chromosome − What we see in the mirror (XXY) − Often triggers people’s first impressions of – Occurs in males others – Characteristics: Sterility, underdeveloped secondary sex FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF characteristics, small testes, learning PHYSICAL SELF disorder – Affects 1 in 1,000 male births A. Heredity − defined as the transmission of genetic traits or 2. Turner syndrome characteristics from parents up to the third line – Missing sex chromosome (XO) of ancestry. – Occurs in females – Characteristics: Short stature, webbed − The process begins from the moment of neck, impaired spatial abilities, no conception. menstruation, infertility, underdeveloped sex organs, How fertilization takes place? incomplete development of secondary − Fertilization (conception) – process by sex characteristics which sperm and ovum (the male and – Affects 1 in 1,500 to 2,500 female female gametes or sex cells) combine to births create a single cell called a zygote. − Fertilization is most likely if intercourse 3. Down Syndrome occurs on the day of ovulation or during – Also called trisomy-21 the five days before. – Caused by extra 21st chromosome or − Ovulation occurs about every once in 28 translocation of 21st onto another days until menopause. chromosome usually provided by the − Once fertilization took place, the zygote egg. duplicates itself again and again by cell – Characteristics: Moderate to severe division to become a baby. mental retardation, flattened nose and face, upward slanting eyes, single Biology of Sex palmer crease, short fifth finger that − In the process of reproduction, both the curves inward, widely separated first mother and the father contribute equal and second toes and increased skin number of chromosomes. creases − Within the chromosomes are genes which – Risk is greatest with older parents are the carriers of the traits manifested by an individual. Other environmental toxins that − Every normal individual has 23 pairs, a might harm a fetus are taken voluntarily, total of 46 chromosomes. such as drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. − A normal female has XX sex cells while Such cases can lead to: a normal male has XY sex cells. 1. Fetal alcohol syndrome What Determines Sex? − caused by alcohol exposure − It is the father’s sperm that determines a of the baby during the child’s sex. mother's pregnancy. − Characteristic features Chromosomal Abnormalities include a combination of slow prenatal and postnatal 1. Klinefelter syndrome growth, facial and bodily  malformations, and disorders − A lot of our physical traits can now be altered of the central nervous either through an invasive surgery or non- system. invasive means. − In the simplest terms, “body modification” 2. Cleft lip and/or palate – although means to deliberately alter one’s physical genes definitely play a role in the appearance development of this defect, − Almost all of us engage in some form of body environmental factors, including modification: smoking and the use of antiseizure o Ear piercing drugs, have been associated with a o Bodybuilding greater risk of bearing a child with o Cosmetic surgery cleft lip and/or palate. − Body modification has been around as long as humans have lived, and with its rich and B. Nurture/Environment fascinating history, the practice is unlikely to − changing one’s physical traits are no longer die out anytime soon. as hard as it is in the past, thanks to technology and the changing trend. Stages of Human Development – What to Expect in Every Stage Stage Physical Development Prenatal ̶ All of the major structures of the body are forming Infancy and ̶ Fast physical growth and changes Toddlerhood ̶ Grasps, sits, crawls, stands, walks, hand-eye coordination improves Early childhood ̶ Talks more clearly, runs, skips, jumps, throws, catches, climbs Middle childhood ̶ Physical growth slows, permanent teeth, finer coordination, muscular growth Adolescence ̶ Rapid growth, mature at different rates – girls earlier than boys, self- conscious, greater coordination, care of body Young Adulthood ̶ Reaches physical peak Middle Adulthood ̶ Lessening of some physical abilities such as sight and hearing ̶ Beginning of physical decline, wrinkled skin, white hair, risks of the Late Adulthood diseases of old age such as arteriosclerosis, cancer, and cerebral vascular disease increases substantially Physical Attractiveness cultural standards, while other aspects seem − The degree to which a person’s physical to be unlearned. features are considered pleasing or beautiful which implies desirability. Body Image − refers to the fact that human beings have − refers to how attractive you perceive yourself. preferences about the physical appearances − It is a major factor in SELF-ESTEEM → of other people, particularly with reference to thoughts about your self-worth and how much you feel other people value you. their facial features and body proportions. − Some aspects of these preferences appear to be arbitrarily derived from ever-changing  C-GEC1: Understanding the Self Chapter 3: The Sexual Self Biology of Sex − When adolescent feels sexual urges, they are − Sex is a biological feature that distinguishes likely to engage in sexual activities that would males, females and intersex. satisfy their urges. − A person’s sex includes: − Masturbation is a better alternative to sexual o Primary sex characteristics – those intercourse. that are related to the reproductive − Medical professionals have cited the health system benefits of masturbation. o Secondary sex characteristics – − Engaging in sexual activities may result in those unrelated to the reproductive consequences that adolescents may NOT be system ready for: − Biological sex is determined through the o Pregnancy observance of five factors: o Acquiring sexually transmitted a. the presence or absence of a Y diseases chromosome − Sexual motivation, often referred to as libido, b. the type of gonads is a person’s overall sexual drive or desire for c. the sex hormones sexual activity. d. the internal reproductive anatomy − This motivation is determined by: e. the external genitalia o Biological factors – sex hormones do − Intersex is a variation in sex characteristics not directly regulate the ability to (including chromosomes, gonads, or genitals) copulate in primates (including that does not allow an individual to be distinctly humans); rather, they are only one identified as male or female. influence on the motivation to − In addition to the most common XX and XY engage in sexual behaviors. chromosomal sexes, there are several other o Social factors – work and family possible combinations commonly known as o Psychological factors – personality intersex, such as: and stress o Turner syndrome (XO) o Sex drive may also be affected by o Triple X syndrome (XXX) medical conditions, medications, o Klinefelter syndrome (XXY) lifestyle, stress, pregnancy, and o de la Chapelle syndrome (XX male) relationship issues. o Swyer syndrome (XY female) Areas of the Brain Biology of Sexual Behavior − The cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer − Aside from the observable changes in males of the brain that allows for thinking and and females, release of hormones reasoning, is believed to be the origin of testosterone for males and estrogen for sexual thoughts and fantasies. females trigger physiological changes in the − The hypothalamus is the most important reproductive system. part of the brain for sexual functioning. − At this stage, males and females are capable − Studies with lab animals have shown that of procreation; males are capable of producing destruction of certain areas of the sperm while females begin producing eggs. hypothalamus causes complete elimination − When physiological changes are triggered of sexual behavior. within an individual’s reproductive system, an − Pituitary gland secretes the hormones that adolescent is likely to experience sexual urges, are produced in the hypothalamus. become more sensitive to sexual stimuli, and feel sexual arousal. Hormones secreted by the pituitary gland − Oxytocin – known as the “hormone of love,” is released during sexual intercourse when  an orgasm is achieved. Oxytocin is also − Research has examined possible genetic, released in females when they give birth or hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural are breast feeding. influences on sexual orientation, but there has − Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is been no evidence that links sexual orientation responsible for ovulation in females by to one factor (APA, 2008). triggering egg maturity; it also stimulates − Homophobia encompasses a range of sperm production in males. negative attitudes and feelings toward − Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the homosexuality or people who are identified or release of a mature egg in females during the perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or process of ovulation. transgender (LGBT). − Testosterone appears to be a major − It is based on irrational fear and is sometimes contributing factor to sexual motivation in related to religious beliefs. males. − Gays, lesbians, and bisexual people regularly − Vasopressin is involved in the male arousal experience stigma, harassment, phase, and the increase of vasopressin discrimination, and violence based on their during erectile response may be directly sexual orientation. associated with increased motivation to − Research has shown that gay, lesbian, and engage in sexual behavior. bisexual teenagers are at a higher risk of − Estrogen and progesterone typically depression and suicide due to exclusion from regulate motivation to engage in sexual social groups, rejection from peers and family, behavior for females, with estrogen and negative media portrayals of increasing motivation and progesterone homosexuals. decreasing it. The levels of these hormones rise and fall throughout a woman’s menstrual Consequences of Sexual Choice cycle. A. Teenage Pregnancy Sexual Identity & Gender Orientation − Having a child entails a big responsibility and should not merely be a consequence of an − Gender is an identity that is learned and impulsive moment. embraced by the individual. It goes beyond − There are physical risks to having an early the biological domains and is both a personal pregnancy that may impact on an and social construct. adolescent’s development, including risk of − Gender roles are societal expectations of miscarriage, emotional stress, and health how men and women should act. risks to both mother and baby. − Gender and biological sex are not always the − Early pregnancy may result to dropping out of same. school, alienation, and other similar − Sexual orientation is the enduring emotional, disruptions. romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to − Not all pregnancies result in childbirth. another person which may take the form of: − Others turn to: abortion, miscarriage, a. Heterosexual – being attracted to the adoptions opposite sex − About 50% of adolescents raise their own b. Homosexual – being attracted to the children and sometimes with the help of the same sex father but most often with the help of the c. Bisexual –being attracted to both adolescent mother’s own mother. male and female d. Asexual – do not get attracted to What happened to MOM? anyone regardless of sex o Twice as likely to drop out of school o Less likely to go to college or become − Individuals are usually aware of their sexual employed orientation between middle childhood and o Less likely to get married early adolescence. o More likely to get divorced if they get married Do they catch up? (a sample of 300 mothers) − HIV is a virus that can be transmitted by anal, o Five years after given birth teenage mothers oral, or vaginal sex with an infected person, as still lagged behind their peers in educational, well as through breastmilk, during childbirth, occupational and economic progress and by coming into contact with the blood of HIV o After 18 years: positive person. ̶ 25% were still on welfare − Untreated, HIV can lead to Acquired ̶ 25% had succeeded in making it into Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which the middle class compromises the immune system and puts the ̶ A majority had eventually completed person at risk of illness and death. high school − In its early stages, HIV has no symptoms. Once ̶ 33% had completed at least some the illness has progressed, a person with AIDS college education may suffer from a variety of illnesses, including pneumonia and cancer. What happened to DAD? − At the moment, there remains no cure for HIV o More likely to become divorced and AIDS. o Lower level of education o Lower paying job Responsible sexual behavior entails the following: o More prone to drug and alcohol use a. Respect for one’s body. This would mean o More likely to violate the law taking care of one’s body and avoiding activities o More feelings of anxiety and depression that undermine one’s worth and respect. b. Maturity in thoughts and deeds. This would What about the BABY? refer to being objective, rational, and calm, Children born to adolescent mothers face a higher instead of being swept by one’s emotions. likelihood of a variety of difficulties in life c. Being guided by one’s personal beliefs and o Babies are more likely to be born premature core values. An adolescent should always be o Lower birth weight grounded by his personal principles and self- o Premature and low birth weight are related to worth. a variety of physical and intellectual problems d. Being future-oriented. Instead of focusing on o Greater likelihood of behavioral problems the present, always weigh your actions now with o School misbehaviour, delinquency and early possible consequences in the future. Sexual sexual activity pleasure might be overwhelming at the moment *** These problems are not just due to having an but always focus on what it will entail in the adolescent mother but also due to the fact that most future (Macayan, et al., 2018). adolescent mothers are not only young and unmarried but poor as well Cultural Beliefs and Adolescent Sexuality B. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Three types of culture in terms of people’s view on − Another consequence of sexual intercourse adolescent sexuality: STD is passes on by means of exchange of 1. Restrictive cultures body fluids or genital contact. ̶ Place strong prohibitions on adolescent − Common diseases are syphilis, gonorrhea, sexual activity before marriage chlamydia, and genital warts. ̶ Strict separation of boys and girls in early − Symptoms of STD include a burning sensation childhood through adolescence during urination, warts and sores in the genital ̶ Some countries will even include the threat of and mouth area, pus, abnormal and smelly physical punishment and public shaming for discharge, genital irritation, and painful bowel premarital sex movement. ̶ Usually more restrictive for girls than boys − Treatment of these diseases may entail medication and, in some cases, surgery 2. Semi-restrictive cultures − The most alarming sexually transmitted disease ̶ Have prohibitions but they are not strongly is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) enforced and are easily evaded  ̶ If pregnancy results from premarital sex, the o Social influences (parent control) adolescents are often forced to marry o Mother likely to date (sexual role models) 3. Permissive cultures o Seeking alternative sources of ̶ Encourage and expect adolescent sexuality support ̶ Sexual behavior is encouraged even in o Genetic (men leave family/women) childhood and the sexuality of adolescence is simply a continuation of the sex play in childhood Two types of countries have low rates of teenage pregnancy: 1. Those that are permissive about adolescent sex → Denmark, Sweden and Netherlands They have low rates of teenage pregnancy because: o They have explicit safe sex campaigns o Adolescents have easy access to contraception. 2. Those that adamantly forbid adolescent sex → Japan, South Korea and Morocco They have low rates of pregnancy because: o Adolescents are strongly discouraged from even dating o It is rare for boys and girls to spend time alone together. Parents and Adolescent Sexual Activity Authoritative parenting − Later sexual activity − Less risky sexual activity Parent-adolescent conflict − Earlier sexual activity − High-risk sexual activity (STD transmission & Pregnancy) Parent-child communication Most effective: o for females (rather than males) o with mothers (rather than fathers) o if communication of values/attitudes o for preventing risky sexual behaviors Household composition − Adolescents in midst of divorce (Increase in risky behaviors generally) − Females in single-parent home Why females?