Sexual Self Gen Ed 1 PDF

SEXUAL SELF Gen Ed. 1 - Understanding the Self  WHAT IS YOUR SEXUAL SELF? ◦Your sexual self is a part of who you are that includes your understanding of sexuality, gender identity, sexual health, and values related to relationships and intimacy. It's a combination of how you see yourself in t...

SEXUAL SELF Gen Ed. 1 - Understanding the Self  WHAT IS YOUR SEXUAL SELF? ◦Your sexual self is a part of who you are that includes your understanding of sexuality, gender identity, sexual health, and values related to relationships and intimacy. It's a combination of how you see yourself in terms of being male, female, or another gender, how you feel about romantic attraction, and what you believe is important in relationships. ◦Your sexual self speaks of your sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and values around sexuality.  WHAT IS YOUR SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT? ◦Sexual development is the process through which people grow and change in their understanding of sexuality and gender. It’s a lifelong process, starting at birth and continuing as we age. This development includes physical, emotional, and social changes, all influenced by biological growth, personal experiences, and cultural expectations.  SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT: ◦Physical Development: This includes puberty, when the body begins to develop sexual characteristics, like voice changes in boys or breast development in girls. ◦Emotional and Social Development: Learning about relationships, feeling romantic attractions, understanding gender roles, and developing values around sexuality are also part of sexual development.  Reasons why an individual’s sex is important in lifelong development: (Hurlock, 2001, p.32) ◦1. Each children come under increasing cultural pressures from parents, teachers, peer group and society at large to develop attitudes and behavior patterns that are considered appropriate for members of their sex.  Reasons why an individual’s sex is important in lifelong development: (Hurlock, 2001, p.32) ◦2. Learning experiences are determined by the individual’s sex. In the home, at school, and in play groups, children learn what is considered appropriate for members of their sex.  Reasons why an individual’s sex is important in lifelong development: (Hurlock, 2001, p.32) ◦3. The attitude of parents and other significant family members towards individuals because of their sex. Strong preferences for a child of a given sex have marked influences on parents’ attitudes affecting relationship with the child. SEXUAL SELF: ◦This involves an individual’s beliefs and feelings about relationships, sexual behavior, and gender roles. These values can be affected by personal experiences, cultural beliefs, religious teachings, and even media exposure. SEXUAL SELF: Freud's Psychosexual Stage of Development ◦Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages of development suggests that as children grow, they pass through a series of stages where different parts of the body (erogenous zones) are particularly sensitive to stimulation and pleasure. He believed that each stage influences personality, and challenges or experiences during these stages shape who we become as adults. If a person experiences difficulty or becomes “stuck” in a particular stage, Freud called this a fixation, which he believed could lead to certain personality Oral Stage (birth to 1 year old) (birth to 2 years old) ◦EROGENOUS ZONE: MOUTH ◦During the oral stage, the child is focused on ORAL PLEASURES (SUCKING/FEEDING). ◦Too much or too little satisfaction can lead to an ORAL FIXATION/ ORAL PERSONALITY. ◦ ORAL RECEPTIVE – a stronger tendency to smoke, drink alcohol, overeat. ◦ ORAL AGGRESSIVE – tendency to bite his or her nails, or use curse words or even gossip. ◦ RESULT: -Schedule-Fed: tight lipped people who eat only for nourishment -Demand-Fed: gives rise to oral pleasures (eating, drinking, smoking, oral sex) child is self-absorbed and egoistical Anal Stage (1 to 3 years old) (2 to 3 years old) ◦EROGENOUS ZONE: ANUS ◦The child finds satisfaction in eliminating and retaining feces (centered on toilet training) ◦Too much or too little satisfaction can lead to ANAL RETENTIVE or ANAL EXPLUSIVE. ◦ ANAL RETENTIVE – obsession with cleanliness, perfection, and control. ◦ ANAL EXPLUSIVE – where the person may become messy and disorganized. RESULT: - Controlling- withholding, tight, constricted, selective with friends (controlled, hoarding) -Uncontrolled - exploitable, easily trusts, lax, Phallic Stage (3 to 5 years old) (3 to 6 years old) ◦EROGENOUS ZONE: GENITALS ◦During the preschool age, children become interested in what makes boys and girls different. Preschoolers will sometimes be seen fondling their genitals. ◦ Freud’s studies led him to believe that during this stage boys develop UNCONSCIOUS SEXUAL DESIRE FOR THEIR MOTHER. Boys then see their father as RIVAL for their mother’s affection. These feelings comprise what Freud called OEDIPUS COMPLEX. ◦Psychoanalysis also believed that girls may also have a similar experience, developing unconscious sexual attraction towards their FATHER, called ELECTRA COMPLEX. Phallic Stage (3 to 5 years old) (3 to 6 years old) ◦1. Oedipus Complex (for boys) Description: Freud believed that boys develop unconscious romantic feelings for their mothers and view their fathers as rivals for their mother’s attention. Castration Anxiety: The boy fears that his father might retaliate by “castrating” him as punishment for these feelings. This anxiety is what Freud believed helps the boy eventually move past his feelings toward his mother and identify more with his father. Resolution: Through identifying with his father, the boy learns to adopt a male gender role and internalizes male- related values and behaviors. Phallic Stage (3 to 5 years old) (3 to 6 years old) ◦2. Electra Complex (for girls) Description: Freud proposed that girls experience feelings of attachment toward their fathers and see their mothers as competition for the father’s attention. Penis Envy: Freud theorized that girls feel envy because they do not have a penis and might feel a sense of "loss" or inadequacy. This envy is eventually directed toward a desire for a child as they mature. Resolution: As girls grow, they identify more with their mothers, adopting female gender roles and values, which Freud believed resolved the Electra complex. Latency Stage (6 to Puberty) ◦It’s during this stage that SEXUAL URGES REMAIN REPRESSED. ◦The children’s focus is the acquisition of PHYSICAL and ACADEMIC SKILLS. ◦BOYS usually relate more with BOYS and GIRLS WITH GIRLS during this stage. Genital Stage (Puberty onwards) ◦EROGENOUS ZONE: Whole body ◦The fifth stage of psychosexual development begins at the start of puberty when SEXUAL URGES ARE ONCE AWAKENED. ◦In the earlier stages, adolescents focus their SEXUAL URGES TOWARDS THE OPPOSITE SEX PEERS, with pleasure CENTERED on the GENITALS. ◦Mating, dating and social interaction  Sexual Response Cycle. According to William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the cycle consists of four phases: 1. Excitement (desire/arousal) 2. Plateau 3. Orgasm 4. Resolution Human Sexuality It is an important part of who a person is and what she/he will become. It includes the feelings, thoughts and behaviors associated with being male or female, being attractive and being in love as well as in relationships, that includes sexual intimacy and sensual and sexual activity. It also includes enjoyment of the world as we know it through our senses. The five circles of sexuality ◦Hypothalamus: Key brain region that stimulates sex hormone production. ◦Testosterone and Estrogen: Though often labeled as "male" and "female" hormones, both are vital for both men and women. ◦Testosterone: Increases libido in nearly everyone. ◦Estrogen: Has a subtler effect on libido; some women feel more sexually motivated around ovulation when estrogen peaks. ◦Lust: Testosterone: Increases libido and sexual desire in both men and women, driving the physical and sexual attraction. Estrogen: In women, it also plays a role in libido, particularly peaking during ovulation, when sexual motivation may be higher. ◦Attraction: Dopamine: Often referred to as the "feel-good" hormone, dopamine plays a key role in feelings of pleasure and reward, sparking the excitement and energy we feel during attraction. Norepinephrine: Also known as noradrenaline, it enhances focus, alertness, and can cause physical reactions such as a racing heart, associated with the thrilling feelings of attraction. Serotonin: Helps regulate mood and emotional stability, though it tends to be lower in the early stages of attraction, contributing to the obsessive, "butterfly" feeling one might have when infatuated with someone. ◦Attachment: Oxytocin: Known as the "love hormone," oxytocin is involved in bonding, emotional closeness, and trust. It is released during physical touch, sexual intimacy, and particularly during childbirth and breastfeeding, fostering strong emotional connections. Vasopressin: Works closely with oxytocin, contributing to long-term attachment, loyalty, and forming lasting bonds. It's often linked to behaviors promoting monogamy and long-term commitment. ◦Gender Identity refers to an individual's internal sense of being male, female, or something else, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth. ◦Sexual Orientation refers to a person’s emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others, which can be toward the same gender, a different gender, or multiple genders. ◦What is LGBTQ+? - LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of gender identities, sexual orientations and romantic orientations ◦ LGBTQ+: An umbrella term that encompasses a wide spectrum of identities related to gender, sexual, and romantic orientations. ◦ L = Lesbian: Women who are exclusively attracted to other women. G = Gay: Men who are exclusively attracted to other men. B = Bisexual: Individuals who are sexually and/or romantically attracted to both men and women. T = Transgender: People whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans Woman: A person assigned male at birth but who identifies and lives as a woman. Trans Man: A person assigned female at birth but who identifies and lives as a man. Q = Queer: A term used by individuals who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, or by those who do not wish to label themselves with more specific terms. + = Plus: This signifies additional identities not explicitly represented by the main letters, such as: Intersex: People who are born with a mix of male and female biological traits, which may make it difficult to assign a traditional male or female sex at birth. Asexual: People who experience little to no sexual attraction to others or have no desire for sexual activity. Sexual Health Issues for Teens ◦It's important for teens to understand sexual health issues so they can make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and overall well-being. Knowledge about sexual health can help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and other health concerns. Sexual Intercourse: Sexual intercourse is a common behavior among humans and may bring sexual pleasure, often leading to orgasm in both males and females. However, it carries risks, including the potential for pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Understanding these risks helps individuals make informed decisions about sexual expression and protective measures. Premarital Sex: Premarital sex refers to sexual activity that occurs before marriage. Individuals engaging in premarital sex are encouraged by health professionals to take precautions, such as using condoms, to protect themselves from STIs like HIV/AIDS. In heterosexual relationships, there is also a risk of unplanned pregnancy. Awareness of these risks can guide teens toward safer sexual practices. Teenage Pregnancy: Teenage pregnancy occurs when a female under the age of 20 becomes pregnant. While teenage mothers face many of the same challenges as other pregnant women, they also experience unique socio-economic challenges. Risks for teen mothers include low birth weight, premature labor, anemia, and pre-eclampsia, which are more related to biological age and socio-economic factors than to the pregnancy itself.