Sex, Gender & Sexuality PDF

**SEX , GENDER & SEXUALITY** Definition of terms **Sex** - the biological aspect of sex; maleness or femaleness **Gender** - the social interpretation of sex; masculinity, femininity, etc; **Sexuality** - the totality of our own experience of our sex and gender; **Sex Chromosomes** - chromosoma...

**SEX , GENDER & SEXUALITY** Definition of terms **Sex** - the biological aspect of sex; maleness or femaleness **Gender** - the social interpretation of sex; masculinity, femininity, etc; **Sexuality** - the totality of our own experience of our sex and gender; **Sex Chromosomes** - chromosomal markers that distinguish female(XX) from males(XY) **Intersex** - individuals with composite sex (possessing some characteristics of both male and female genitals) **SEX** \- it is a **BIOLOGICAL DIMENSION**, also referred as *physical sex* or *biological sex.* \- r**eproduction**- the process or ability to create offspring. \- there are cases that a child could have both organs.This condition is called **HERMAPHRODISM** (from Hermes, a male Greek god and Aphrodite, a female Greek goddess) and the child is termed as a *"hermaphrodite"*. **- chromosomes-** protein structures which contains our **genetic materials**. \- there are specific chromosomes referred to as **sex chromosomes**, which marks a person's biological sex. \- **hormones-** are specialized signal cells/ chemical signals that are released by different organs of the body into the blood stream to communicate with each other. \- if an individual has an **XY chromosome**, the individual is a **MALE**, while **XX chromosome** is said to be **FEMALE**. **GENDER** \- Humans are meaning-making organism, which is caused by our **HIGHER ORDER THINKING** and our tendency to **CREATE SOCIAL NORMS**. \- for example, males are **TYPICALLY** expected to be **MASCULINE** and females to be **FEMININE**. \- **SOCIAL DIMENSION** of one's sexuality is **GENDER**. -**Heteronormativity**- the phenomenon of determining the normality of a behavior based whether it conforms or not to the expectations relative one's biological sex. **Transgender woman** a male who does not feel comfortable identifying as a man. **Transgender man** is a female who does not feel comfortable identifying as a woman. **Heterosexual**- people who are attracted to the opposite sex. **Homosexual**- people who are attracted to the same sex. **Bisexual**- people who are attracted to the same sex. L2 **Patriarchy**- social system where men primarily holds power in the political and the private spheres. From the Greek word "**Patriarkhes"** which means "**the rule of the father".** **Feminism -** continuing series of social movements that aim to challenge the patriarchal society that creates these oppressive political structures, beliefs, and practices against women. **Egalitarian**- men and women have equitable power and roles. **Paternity-** fatherhood/role of the father in conception. **Freidrich Engeles** - German philosopher and sociologist, argues that patriarchy came about when people started [having private instead of a communal living.] [ ] **Different Kinds of Research** As a subject of inquiry, Gender Studies utilizes a systematic approach in identifying problems, making hypotheses and assumptions, gathering data, and making conclusions. This systematic process is referred as the **research process**. **1.Qualitative Approach** - focuses more on the meanings created and interpretations made by people about their own personal or vicarious (observed) experiences. Methods used: **[Phenomenology]**- conducting intensive interviews with individuals who have experienced a particular event and understanding "lived experienced" [**Hermeneutics** -] understanding the meaning of texts (literary works, art works) and what convey about human realities. [**Ethnography and Ethnomethodology**-] immersing in a community and taking note of their experiences, beliefs, attitudes, and practices. [ ] **2.Quantitative** **Approach** - on the other hand, focuses more on characterizing population (total number of Individual in a group) or a sample (a sub-group within the population), and in some cases, making generalizations about the population based on the behavior of a sample. Methods used: [**Survey**] - collecting information from a sample **[Experiment]**- creating actual set-ups to observe behavior of people in an experimental group. **Different Sexual Dysfunction** **Sexual Desire Disorder -** when an inidividual has low levels of desire or has an a version to sexual activities. **Sexual Arousal Disorder** **-** when an inidividual has problems in achieving necessary physiological state for copulation(e.g., erectile dysfunction in males) **Orgasmic Disorder** - when an individual has problems in achieving orgasm (e.g, premature ejaculation in males; male and female orgasmic disorders) **Sexual Pain Disorder** - when there is an experience of pain during sexual response cycle (e.g, vaginal spasms or vaginismus) **Sexual Behavior** - an action with sexual intention and context. **Erotic -** related to sexual stimulation, has something to do with the erogenous zones. **Sexual response cycle -** sequence of events from arousal to orgasm to resolution of sexual tension **Sexual dysfunction -**a concern or problem in any of the phases of the sexual response cycle **Copulatory behavior -**related to the insertion of the penis to the vagina **Paraphilia -** arousal from non-living objects and non-consenting person. **Sexual Response Cycle** **Excitement** - this is the first phase in the cycle. **Plateau** - this phase is characterized by sustained peak in stimulation of the organs. **Orgasm** - it is the climax of the sexual response cycle. **Resolution** - in this phase, the penis returns to normal unerected phase, whereas the scrotum and tested descended. **PARAPHILIA** some of the common paraphilic disorders [*A* = *πr*^2^]{.math.inline}: **Exhibitionism** - pleasure of exposing one's genitals to non-consenting people. **Fetishism** - arousal from non-living objects(socks,shoes,body parts) **Frotteurism** - touching or rubbing one's body or genitals to non-consenting people. **Phedophilia**- arousal from children **Sexual Masochism** - arousal from actual suffering or humiliation. **Masculinites** - a social, cultural and historical constructions of men dependent on and related to other factors such as class, ethnicity, sexuality, age, and disability. **Hegemonic masculinity** -- form of masculinity which is culturally dominant in a given setting. **Protest Masculinity -** form of masculinity which is culturally dominant in marginalized setting. **Caring Masculinity** - proposes that men are able to adopt what is viewed as traditionally feminine characteristics. **Complicit Masculinity-** shown when men who received the benefits of patriarchy without enacting a strong version of masculine dominance. **Health** - a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely that absence of disease or infirmity. **Reproductive health** - refers to the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes at all stages of life. **Hygiene** - refers to behaviors that can improve cleanliness and lead to good health, such as frequent hand washing, face washing, and bathing with soap and water. **Sexual Health -** refers to a state of physical, emotional, mental , and social well-being in relation to sexuality. **Hygiene** ***1.Oily Hair*** The hormones that create acne are the same ones that can make you feel like you're suddenly styling your hair with a comb dipped in motor oil. ***2.Sweat and Body Odor*** Perspiration, or sweat, comes from sweat glands that you have always had in your body. ***3.Body Hair*** Body hair in new places is something you can count on-again, they are hormones in action. ***4.Dental Hygiene*** Dentists say that the most important part of tooth care happens at home. Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. **Love** - a complex phenomenon characterized by an effective and cognitive inclination to someone and a set of social behaviors geared towable cohesion. **Intimacy --** the psycho-social component of love; knowing and being known by someone in a deeply personal level; emotional closeness and connections. ***Intimacy -*** process of knowing others and allowing others to know us **Passion**- the emotive and physical component of love, drive towards sexual and romantic attraction. **Commitment** - decision to engage and maintain a loving relationship. **Relationship** - social bond between and among individuals manifested through communication and other forms of interaction. \- Love as human experience \- Love as a culture universal \- Love as social phenomenon \- Love as an emotion \- Love as neurobiological event \- Theorizing Love COLOR WHEEL OF LOVE John Alan Lee (1973), a Canadian psychologist, suggested that there are different types of love. **The primary types are:** **eros** (sexual and romantic), **philia** (friendly), and **storge** (parental/filial love) **The secondary types are:** **pragma** (practical love) **agape** (universal love) **Philautia** (self love) **Triangular Love-** one of the most famous theories of love by Stenberg (1986) **Romantic Love** - is characterized by intense passion "a state of intense longing for union with your partner **Companionate Love** - is characterized by intense intimacy-emotional closeness- which is also a characterized of liking **ABCDE or Intimate Relationship** Acquaintance Build-up Consolidation or Continuation Decline or Deterioration Ending **Love Language** **Gary Chapman**, a world- renown author, suggested that people have various ways through which we give and receive love. He referred to these unique waysas **love languages.** Chapman (1995) posited that there are generally five love languages, namely; words of affirmation, touch, time, gifts, and acts of service ***1. Words of Affirmation*** ***2. Touch*** ***3. Time*** ***4. Gifts*** ***5. Act of Service*** Each person has a pair of **gonads**; **ovaries** are female gonads; **testes** are the male gonads. The gonads produce germ cells and hormones. **The female germ cells are ova (egg) and the male germ cells are sperm.** Ova and sperm are the basic unit of reproduction. **Gender Role or Sex Role** - are "sets of culturally defined behaviors such as masculinity and femininity. **Reproduction** -process of producing off springs. **Genitals** - external sex organs **Primary sex characteristics** - sex characteristics that are present at birth. **Secondary sex Characteristics** - sex characteristics that emerge during puberty. **Reproductive Systems of Male** The male external genitalia consists of the following structures: **1.Prepuce** - foreskin covering the head of the penis, removed in male circumcision. **2.Penis** - glans(head), shaft and root **3.Corona** - rim of the glans where it arises from shaft **4.Frenulum** - thin strip of akin connecting glans and shaft on the underside of the penis. **5.Scrotum** - sac that encloses the two compartments housing the testes. **6.Urethral Opening** - found on the head of the penis. This is the end of tube connected to the bladder and used for urination. **7.Perineum** - area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus, distance is greater in males than females. **8.Testes** -- produce androgen, particularly large quuantities of testosterone, which greatly influenced male development and drive sexual motivation. **9.Vas Deferens** -- travels from testicle toward urethra carrying sperm. **10.Seminal Vesicle** -- two glands that produced alkaline fluid rich in fructose sugar, comprising 30% of semen volume. **11.Ejaculatory Ducts** -- connects Vas Deferens to Urethra. **12.Prostrate** -- gland producing alkaline secretion that account for about 30% of semen volume. **13.Urethra** -- tube within penis that carries sperm and semen that rest of the way to the openiing of the penis. **Reproductive Systems of Female** **1.Vagina** - collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening back and upward into body to cervix and uterus. **2.Cervix** - small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to interior of uterus. **3.Uterus** - womb, organ within pelvic zone where fetus is carried. **4.Fallopian Tubes** - carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus, [this is where fertilization occurs]. **5.Ovaries** - produce estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen influences female characteristics and initiates menstrual cycle. Progesterone aids in regulation of menstrual cycles and promotes mature development of uterine lining to allow for zygote implantation. **Menstrual phase**. This occurs if the ovum is not fertilized and does not implant itself into the uterine lining. **Proliferative phase**. It occurs when the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release FSH that stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and causes ova to mature in the ovarian follicles. **Secretory phase**. It occurs when the pituitary gland releases LH that causes the ovary to release a mature ovum and causes the remaining portion of the follicle to develop into the corpus luteum. 3.1 **Risk** - the probability that a hazard in the environment can actually negatively affect the individual. **Risk-taking** - a behavior of doing something regardless of potential loss. **Harmful Practices** 1.**Marijuana** 2.**Mairungi**- the common name for the stimulant leaf that is chewed in much of East Africa. 3.**Alcohol**- the most common drug and is used worldwide. 4.**Cigarette**- many young people start smoking tobacco for different reasons. 5.**Cocaine**- ofteen called the "champagne of drugs" because of its high cost. 6.**Heroin**- a drug obtained from morphine and comes from opium poppy plant. 7.**Amphetamines**- are stimulantsthat affect a peron's system by speeding up the activity of the brain and giving energy. 8.**Ecstasy**- belong to the same group of chemicals as the abovve category that is stimulants, and is most oftenn used in the form of tablet at rave parties **Psychosocial** - a term pertaining to psychological and social factors and the interaction of these factors. **Psychosocial Issues** - needs and concerns relating to one or all of the psychosocial dimensions. **Reproductive Role** - the social script ascribed to individuals pertaining to their role in child-bearing or child-training and related tasks such as maintaining the household. **Productive Role** - the social ascribed to individuals pertaining to their role in economic production and related tasks such as engaging in public affairs and living in the worlds of work. What does Psychosocial Mean? -the term "psychosocial" is an encompassing term. It is comprised by two primary aspects: **psychological** pertains to anything associated with mental process and behavior, while **social** pertains to anything associated with human relationships, connections, and interaction. **3 primary Psychological Domains** **Affect** -the affective domain pertains to people's emotions and feelings. **Behavior** - the behavioral (overt) or not readily observable (covert). **Cognition** - cognitive domain pertains people' s thought processes such as memory, perception, and information-processing. The social aspect of gender and sexuality primarily anchors itself on the field of [sociology] and allied fields such as [social psychology]. **Awareness**- our conscious understanding of something. **Human Relationship** - a bond formed between two or more people manifested through communication and interaction. **Socialization** - process by which we learn cultural norms and traditions. Another side of well being is pour personal experience of satisfaction, meaning and purpose, referred to as **[Subjective well-being.]** **Dimensions of Well being** Based on what well-being means, we can see that are various dimensions into it. The following are just the primary dimensions of well-being which we must look into when trying to understand the psychosocial condition of a person: ***Physical --*** physical/biological health ***Emotional --*** positive feelings; mood stability ***Mental --*** clarity of mind; healthy thought process ***Material --*** available and adequate financial and other resources; and ***Social --*** healthy and positive interaction and relationship with others. **Sensorium** - the totality of our sense and perception; a conglomerate of the individual organs **Olfactory** - sense of smell **Tactile** - something associated with touch **Pheromone** - a substance believed to be emitted by organisms which is thought to be influencing social behavior **Major Histocompatibility Complex** - a set of protein molecules associated with the immune system. **Different SENSES** Our eyes enables our **sense of sight** (visual), so that we are able to see visual stimulus (color, size, shape) in the environment. Our nose enables our **sense of smell** (olfaction), so that we are able to experience scent. Our ears allow our **sense of hearing** (audition), so that we are able to experience sounds of varying tones, pitches, and volume. These 5 senses comprise our sensorium- the totality of our sensory experiences and perception. **Limbic System** - the emotional part of our brain which is more primitive compared to the ones responsible for higher order thinking. **Fight Response** - is when you are faced with adverse or dangerous stimuli squarely. **Freeze Response** - when you are startled and are unable to make a choice, thus, unable to move. **Pheromones** - a substance putatively excreted by our glands which signals mood and affects social behavior. Menstrual synchrony - the observation that females in the same dormitory usually would have their menstruation at nearly the same time- was though to be due to pheromones. **Oxytocin** - referred as the love hormone because it is believed to influence tribal behaviors and maternal bonding