Sexual Self - Unit Two PDF

THE SEXUAL SELF UNIT TWO Important Note: At the outset, I want to make it clear that when approaching this topic, it should not just be as a biological process, but as a preparation to entering into sustain an intimate, happy, and long-time relationship in the future. ANNA FREUD...

THE SEXUAL SELF UNIT TWO Important Note: At the outset, I want to make it clear that when approaching this topic, it should not just be as a biological process, but as a preparation to entering into sustain an intimate, happy, and long-time relationship in the future. ANNA FREUD “Sex is something you do. Sexuality is something you are.”  Three Dimensions According to Theorists 1 sexual self-esteem Sexual self-concept refers to the totality of yourself as a sexual being, including positive and 2 sexual depression negative concepts and feelings. 3 sexual preoccupation What is puberty? Puberty is the time in life when a boy or girl becomes sexually mature. It is a process that usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys. It causes physical changes, and affects boys and girls differently. DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS During sexual maturation (puberty growth spurt), there are two important physical changes that occur in your body as you transition from being a child to that of being an adult: development of the primary sexual characteristics and development of the secondary sexual characteristics. Primary Sexual Characteristics  Primary sexual characteristics are the CHARACTERISTICS PRIMARY SEXUAL physical characteristics directly involved in reproduction, such as the sex organs. Sex organs are a broad category that includes any gland, organ, or part that is necessary for reproduction. The sex organs show a CHARACTERISTICS PRIMARY SEXUAL Primary sexual characteristics are there from birth (for example, penises vs. vaginas). In mammals, sex is determined through hormonal events in utero that under normal circumstances are controlled by the combination of X and Y chromosomes. CHARACTERISTICS PRIMARY SEXUAL If an egg is fertilized with a sperm carrying the X chromosome, the gonads should develop into ovaries and the offspring will be female; if the egg is fertilized with a sperm carrying the Y chromosome, the gonads should develop into testes and the offspring will be male. (Reid, 2018). For the male: scrotum, testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate, seminal vesicles, urethra, and penis all qualify as being part of the sex organs. The male gonads (testes), which are located in the scrotum (sac), outside the body, are only approximately 10% of their mature size at the age of 14 years. Rapid growth occurs for a year or two, after which growth The penis accelerates in growth shortly after the rapid growth of the testes begins. At first, the growth is seen in length, followed by a gradual increase in circumference. Nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) are spontaneous orgasms during sleep that includes ejaculation for a male. They begin to occur when the male reproductive organs have become developed in function. This can be seen when boys have a For the female: the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vaginal canal, Bartholin’s and Skenes glands, vagina, clitoris, and clitoral hood are all considered as sex organs. All parts of the female reproductive system grow during puberty, but in different rates. The uterus weighs 5.3 grams with the average eleven- or twelve- year-old girl; by the age of During this time, the sex organs grow rapidly. The menarche, or first menstrual flow, is the first real sign of sexual maturation in girls. This starts a series of regular discharges of blood, mucus, and broken-down cell tissue from the uterus that occurs every 28 days until the menopause, in the late forties or CHARACTERISTICS SECONDARY SEXUAL Secondary sexual characteristics emerge at puberty. These physical characteristics are not used in sexual reproduction, but are important for attracting a mate or being able to provide care for offspring - such as human breasts. These features distinguish males from females and make members of one sex appealing to members of the opposite sex. CHARACTERISTICS SECONDARY SEXUAL Hormones secreted through the hypothalamus initiate the development of classically male or female secondary sexual traits (Reid, 2018). The appearance of secondary sexual characteristics makes one “sexually appealing”. CHARACTERISTICS SECONDARY SEXUAL Changes caused by the gradual development of these characteristics, like other developments at puberty, follows a predictable pattern. The following shows the secondary sexual characteristics of boys and girls: Important Secondary Sex Characteristics For BOYS: Hair Pubic hair appears about one year after the testes and penis have started to increase in size. Axillary and facial hair appears when the pubic hair has almost completed its growth, as does body hair. At first, all hair is scanty, lightly pigmented, and fine in texture. Later it becomes darker, coarser, more luxuriant, and slightly kinky. Skin The skin becomes coarser, less transparent, and sallow in color, and the pores enlarge. Glands The sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands in the skin enlarge and become more active, which may cause acne. The apocrine glands in the armpits start to function, and perspiration increases as puberty progresses. Muscles Breast Knots The muscles increase Slight knobs around the male markedly in size and mammary glands appear between strength, thus giving shape the ages of twelve and fourteen. to the arms, legs, and These last for several weeks and shoulders. then decreases in number and size. Voice Voice changes begin after some pubic Muscles hair has appeared. The voice The muscles increase markedly becomes husky and later drops in in size and strength, thus giving pitch, increases in volume, and shape to the arms, legs, and acquires a pleasant tone. Voice shoulders. breaks are common when maturing is Important Secondary Sex Characteristics For GIRLS: Hair Pubic hair appears about one year after the testes and penis have started to increase in size. Axillary and facial hair appears when the pubic hair has almost completed its growth, as does body hair. At first, all hair is scanty, lightly pigmented, and fine in texture. Later it becomes darker, coarser, more luxuriant, and slightly kinky. Hips The hips become wider and rounder as a result of the enlargement of the pelvic bone and the development of subcutaneous fat. Breast Shortly after the hips start to enlarge, the breasts begin to develop. The nipples enlarge and protrude and, as the mammary gland develops, the breast become larger and rounder. Voice Muscles The muscles increase in size and The voice becomes fuller and more strength, especially in the middle melodious. Huskiness and breaks of puberty and toward the end, in the voice are rare among girls. thus giving shape to the shoulders, arms, and legs.  Skin The skin becomes coarser, less transparent, and sallow in color, and the pores enlarge. Glands The sebaceous and apocrine glands become more active as puberty progresses. Clogging of the sebaceous glands can cause acne, while the apocrine glands in the armpits produce perspiration, which is especially heavy and pungent just before and during menstrual period.  EROGENOUS ZONES OF THE HUMAN BODY OF THE HUMAN BODY EROGENOUS ZONES Sexual awakening takes place through the different parts of your body where they lead to sexual stimulation due to their sensitivity to touch. These body parts are known as erogenous zones – sensitive areas on the body that cause sexual arousal when they are touched. Your awareness of these body parts will lead you to being responsible – as to know your limits and capabilities, and will give you control over your desires and sexual urges.  Clitoris – this is the female 1 body part contributing most to sexual arousal. It is extremely sensitive due to nerve endings. Research shows that stimulating the clitoris is the fastest and easiest way for many women to achieve orgasm through pressure and vibration. Vagina – it is where the “G- 2 spot” is located. The interior of the vagina contain nerve endings, and women report that deep stimulation leads to more intense orgasms. The outer edge of the vagina, on the other hand, tends to respond to light touch.  Cervix – located at the lower 3 end of the uterus, has its own feel-good nerve pathways. In fact, some research suggests that the vagina, clitoris, and cervix all respond separately and distinctly to sexual stimuli. Nerves in the cervix respond most to pressure stimulation, but light touch has been shown to elicit a response as well. Mouth and Lips – surveys 4 found kissing to be more important in relationship- building than in sexual arousal. Studies suggest that many women rank the lips and mouth highly as erogenous areas. 5 Neck - according to a large international survey of women, both the nape and back of the neck are among the top 10 erogenous zones. One study found that the neck is very sensitive to light touch, especially among people with low body fat. Another study found that women with spinal cord injury can get pretty turned on by neck stimulation alone.  Breasts and Nipples – both 6 men and women have breasts for evolutionary purposes especially women; and they play a role in sexual arousal as well. Nipple stimulation sets fireworks off in the same region of the brain that processes sensations from the clitoris and vagina. Just as with the clitoris, pressure and vibration stimulate them. Ears – are super sensitive to 7 touch, probably due to a large number of nerve endings.  Penis - both survey and lab- 1 based scientific experiments demonstrate that penile stimulation significantly contributes to sexual satisfaction. And while this can be a sensitive subject, circumcision doesn’t appear to decrease sensation or sexual satisfaction. Mouth and Lips – they are 2 highly sensitive; male lips respond to light touch, temperature, or pressure. Kissing also triggers a release of hormones involved in intimacy – especially oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone.”  Scrotum - it is one of men’s 3 most notable erogenous zones. Lots of nerves mean that this area is super- sensitive to touch. Neck – while touching the 4 neck doesn’t appear to be quite as much of a turn-on for men as for women, it’s still ranked pretty highly on the erogenous zones list. The neck has great sensitivity to low- frequency vibration, making it a prime spot for light erotic touch. 5 Nipples – as with women, men rank nipples as a definite hot spot. While male nipples don’t appear to serve any real purpose (they’re basically by- products of evolution), that doesn’t mean they’re totally useless – they still have plenty of nerve endings. 6 Perineum – is the area between the anus and scrotum and is hooked up to perineal nerves, which help convey sensations of sexual pleasure from the genitals to the brain. 7 Ears – highly sensitive to touch because of a high number of sensory receptors on the skin, the ears are ranked just behind the scrotum for body parts that help men orgasm when touched or otherwise stimulated.  UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE What turns you on? What attracts you the most? Are you aware of your body’s reaction whenever you see intimate scenes in movies, videos, television shows, or in advertisements or books that you happen to see or read? Your answer would be a YES – and this is a sign that you are a normal person who is considered as a sexual being. Your reaction speaks of the human sexual response. But if you happen to have no reaction at all, then you may be ASEXUAL – having no sexual feelings at all. UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE All human beings have desires. Desiring for somebody is normal, and it leads to sexual intimacy that may lead to sexual reproduction. As sexual beings, humans have desires for sexual pleasure and satisfaction. Desire and sexuality cannot be separated. Libido is a person's overall sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. Ang libido, sa pangkaraniwang paggamit ng salita, ay nangangahulugang udyok, gana o pagnanasang seksuwal ng tao. UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE Libido is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Understanding your sexual self will lead you to a better view of your sexuality – making you responsible and educated with your actions and decisions.  The Brain Its Role and Function in the Human Sexual Response Our brains are involved in all steps of sexual behavior and in all its variations, from feelings of sexual desire and partner choice, to arousal, orgasm and even post- coital cuddling (Clark, 2014). The brain impacts the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person participates in sexually stimulating activities (Wiley, The brain is responsible in translating nerve impulses from the skin into pleasurable sensations. It controls nerves and muscles used during sexual activity. It regulates the release The adult human brain weighs between 1300 and 1400 grams and is divided into two parts, or hemispheres, connected by a thick bundle of nerves called the corpus collosum. As described by Rita Carter (1999, p.6) “the human brain is as big as a coconut, the shape of a walnut, the color of uncooked liver, and the  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: 1 The Brain Stem The evolutionarily oldest structure; controls primitive responses associated with sexual behaviour and facial expressions; contains circuits for many emotions, including love/attachment, joy, and sexual excitement (Lewis, 2005).  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: The 2 Hypothalamus It controls most body systems by regulating the production of hormones in response to both internal and environmental events; it controls the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that controls all the other endocrine glands in the body; the hypothalamus plays a key role in  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: 3 The Limbic System It mediates learning, memory, and emotion; it contains the: a Amygdala – helps generate associations between experiences and emotions – Was this an experience that felt good, that resulted in a good meal, or a loving touch? Or was this an experience that produced fear or pain?  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: 3 The Limbic System It mediates learning, memory, and emotion; it contains the: b Hippocampus – located near the amygdala, it plays an important role in organizing and storing memories for events. *** The amygdala and hippocampus seem to work together, so that emotions associated with past experiences influence the storage and retrieval of specific memories.  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: 4 The Cerebral Cortex Sometimes referred to as the neocortex (neo means “new”, a relative latecomer, evolutionarily speaking (MacLean, 1990). It is the outermost layer of the brain; its function is responsible for thinking and processing information from the five senses. The Cerebral Cortex is made up of tightly packed neurons and is the wrinkly, outermost layer that surrounds the brain. It is also responsible for higher thought processes including speech and decision making.  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: 4 The Cerebral Cortex The cortex is divided into 4 different lobes: a Frontal Lobe – for cognitive functions and control of voluntary movement/activity  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: 4 The Cerebral Cortex The cortex is divided into 4 different lobes: b Parietal Lobe – processes information about temperature, taste, touch and movement  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: 4 The Cerebral Cortex The cortex is divided into 4 different lobes: c Temporal Lobe – processes memories, integrating them with sensations of taste, sound, sight and touch  The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically organized, interacting levels: 4 The Cerebral Cortex The cortex is divided into 4 different lobes: d Occipital Lobe – primarily responsible for vision *** Each area is responsible for processing different types of sensory information. THANK YOU