GENDER AND SEXUALITY AS A SOCIAL REALITY.docx

GENDER AND SEXUALITY AS A SOCIAL REALITY **LESSON 1 \| SEX, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY** **Lesson Objectives:** 'When you finish reading this chapter, you should be able to 1\. differentiate sex, gender, and sexuality; 2\. discuss the implication of these differences; and 3\. contemplate about your...

GENDER AND SEXUALITY AS A SOCIAL REALITY **LESSON 1 \| SEX, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY** **Lesson Objectives:** 'When you finish reading this chapter, you should be able to 1\. differentiate sex, gender, and sexuality; 2\. discuss the implication of these differences; and 3\. contemplate about your own sexuality and on the importance of appreciating sexual diversity. **Definition of Terms:** **Sex** - the biological aspect of sex; maleness or femaleness: **Gender** - social interpretation of sex; masculinity, femininity **Sexuality** - the totality of our own experience of our sex and gender **Sex chromosomes** - chromosomal markers that distinguish females (XX) from male (XY) species **Hermaphroditism/ Intersex** - individuals with composite genitals (possessing some characteristics of both male and female genital **Introduction** What does it mean to be a male or a female, to be feminine or masculine, or to be man or woman? The human mind and body are so complex such that to answer this question, we have to trace our journey from the moment we were born, and go back to the journey we humans have across the life span. **SEX** Sex is the biological dimension of your gender and sexuality. Also referred **biological sex** **or physical sex,** the term generally pertains to your identity depending on your sexual anatomy and physiology---the parts of your body that are relevant to reproduction and the function of these parts. Sex is typically determined by examining your **genitals** - these are external organs that are associated with reproduction---the process or the ability to create offspring. Among humans, sex is often assigned at birth. If at birth, a child is observed to have a **penis and testicles,** then the child is categorized as **male.** If on the other hand, a child is observed to have a **vagina**, then the child is categorized as **female.** However, there are cases when the baby's genitals appear to be a conglomerate of male and female organs such that it may be difficult to classify the baby's sex without further examination. **In the past,** this condition is referred to as **hermaphroditism (from Hermes, a male Greek god and Aphrodite, a female Greek goddess).** **In modern times,** the term **intersexuality** is used to refer to this phenomenon. Hermaphroditism or intersexuality is a naturally occurring variation in humans and animals (1 in 1,500 births) according to the American Psychological Association (APA) (2006). Since it may be difficult to distinguish biological sex by merely examining the genitals, there are other **biological markers** used. For instance, **your chromosomes** -- protein structures which contain your genetic materials---are also used to determine sex. There are specific chromosomes referred to as sex chromosomes, which marks a person\'s biological sex. An individual with a set of XY sex chromosomes s said to be a male, while an individual with a set of XX sex chromosomes is said to be a female, The level of some hormones--- chemicals in our body that are responsible for sustaining bodily processes -- are also used as markers. For example, human males tend to have higher levels of testerone, which is associated to sex drive and aggressions. On the other hand, human females tend to have higher level of estrogen and progesterone, which are associated to lactation, menstruation, and other female reproductive functions.