Understanding The Self - PDF

# Understanding The Self ## Module 2: Unfolding the Dimensions of the Self ### The Physical Self * **Biological Self:** People are often recognized by their physical features, including the face, bodily structure, height, and weight. * **Sexual Self:** The physical self is shaped by biological a...

# Understanding The Self ## Module 2: Unfolding the Dimensions of the Self ### The Physical Self * **Biological Self:** People are often recognized by their physical features, including the face, bodily structure, height, and weight. * **Sexual Self:** The physical self is shaped by biological and environmental factors. #### The Biological Blueprint * **Heredity:** The transmission of traits from parents to offspring. Traits are made up of specific information embedded within one's GENE, the basic unit of heredity. * **Deoxyribonucleic Acid:** A nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions specifying the biological development of every individual. * **Genotype:** Specific information embedded within one's genes. * **Phenotype:** Physical expression of a particular trait. Each individual has 23 pairs of chromosomes. The 23rd pair (Sex Chromosomes) determines the sex of an individual. * **Maturation:** The completion of growth of a genetic character within an organism or the unfolding of an individual's inherent traits or potential. ### Environmental Conditioning * **Family:** Your family forms a crucial foundation of your development. They are primarily responsible for how you take care of your body. * **Larger Social Group:** You become more conscious of your physical appearance and begin to take note of your height, weight, facial features and more. * **Contemporary Media:** Contemporary media has portrayed slim bodies as the ideal body type for women and muscular bodies for men. * **Body Image and Eating Disorders:** Some adolescents may resort to unhealthy habits to achieve an ideal body type. There has been a steady rise of having eating disorders, including bulimia and anorexia nervosa. ### Achieving Physical Wellbeing * **Healthy Eating:** You need to eat the right amount and combination of food to ensure your health and sustenance. * **Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle:** Avoid drinking, smoking, and other unhealthy habits to reduce the risk of illness and diseases. * **Maintaining a Proper Hygiene:** Taking care of your body can also help you feel good about yourself. * **Being Confident:** Self-confidence is your best make-up and results in an optimal physical well-being. ### The Sexual Self A vital aspect of one's identity is the sexual self, encompassing the biological, physical, emotional, and social domains. * **Bodily Transformations and the Development of Secondary Sexual Characteristics:** Bodily transformations trigger the physiological response. * **Sexual Curiosity:** During this stage, sexual curiosity is often at peak and gender orientation may manifest. * **Sexual Responsibility:** It is important for a person to be aware of their sexuality, thoughts and behavior, in order to make responsible choices concerning one's sexual self. #### The Biology of Sex: * **Sexual Genitals:** At birth, the SEXUAL GENITAL is a biological feature that distinguishes males from females. * **Secondary Sexual Characteristics:** During puberty, observable changes in the human body also known as SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS begin. * **Males:** growth of facial & bodily hair, emergence of adam's apple, and muscle development. The release of HORMONES triggers physiological changes in the reproductive system. * **Females:** onset of menstruation, & noticeable changes in the hips, breast, and skin. The release of HORMONES triggers physiological changes in the reproductive system. * **Sexual Urges:** When physiological changes are triggered within the adolescent's reproductive system, they will likely to experience SEXUAL URGES. * **Sexual Response Cycle:** These physiological sensations are part of the SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE which includes four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. * **Sexual Activities:** Humans are likely to engage in various SEXUAL ACTIVITIES to satisfy sexual urges. ### Sexual Identity and Gender Orientation * **Sexuality:** At birth, one's sexuality depends on his or her physical features and genitals. One's sexuality and gender orientation may or may not correspond with one another. * **Biological Sex:** Biological sex is one's assignment upon birth and is dependent on physical features. * **Gender:** Gender is an identity that is learned and embraced by the individual. It goes beyond biological domains and is both a personal and social construct. * **Gender Roles:** Gender roles refer to societal expectations of how men and women should act. ### The Consequences of Sexual Choice * **Sexual Intercourse:** Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation, is the reproductive act in which the male organ enters the female reproductive tract. * **Pregnancy:** However, if the woman is fertile during the time of intercourse, pregnancy is likely to occur and it lasts approximately nine months before the birth of child. * **Physical Risks:** Physical risks to having an early pregnancy may impact on adolescent's development, including miscarriage, emotional stress, and health risks to both mother and infant. It may also result to dropping out of school, alienation, and other similar social disruption. * **Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):** Another consequence of impulsive and careless sexual intercourse is the risk of acquiring sexually- transmitted diseases (STD). These diseases are passed through the exchange of body fluids or genital contact. It may have long term consequences to one's health. Symptoms include a burning sensation during urination, warts and sores in the genital and mouth areas, pus, abnormal and smelly discharge, genital irritation and painful bowel movements. * **Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS):** The most alarming sexually transmitted disease is the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Usually it spreads through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, but it can also be transmitted by contact between skin, wounds, HIV- infected blood or blood-contaminated body fluids. Untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS, which compromises the immune system and puts the person at risk of illness and death. * **Social Stigma:** Irresponsible sexual behavior often results in dire consequences that have significant impact on people's lives and futures. STDs may also ruin relationships, create negative stigma against the person, and risk other aspects of one's social life. ### Achieving Sexual Wellbeing * **Respect for One's Body:** It means taking care of one's body and avoiding activities that undermine one's worth and respect. * **Maturity in Thoughts and Deeds:** Be objective, rational, and calm, instead of being swept by one's emotion. * **Being Guided by One's Personal Beliefs and Core Values:** Always be grounded by their principal personal & self worth. * **Being Future-Oriented:** A person should always weigh their present actions with possible consequences in the future.