Physical and Sexual Self PDF

Lesson 1: Physical and Sexual Self INTRODUCTION It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex (female or male) and their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup. tI influences the way we treat ourselves and others. However, t...

Lesson 1: Physical and Sexual Self INTRODUCTION It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex (female or male) and their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup. tI influences the way we treat ourselves and others. However, there are individuals who do not accept their innate sexual characteristics and they tend to change their sexual organs through medications and surgery. Aside from our genes, our society or the external environment helps shape our selves. This lesson helps us better understand ourselves through a discussion on the development of our sexual characteristics and behavior. ABSTRACTION Marieb, E.N. (2001) explains that the gonads (reproductive glands that produce the gametes; testis or ovary) begin to form until about the eighth week of embryonic development. During the early stages of human development, the embryonic reproductive structures of males and females are alike and are said to be ni the indifferent stage. When the primary reproductive structures are formed development of the accessory structures and external genitalia begins. The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of testosterone. Usually, once formed, the embryonic testesrelease testosterone, and the formation of the duct system and external genitalia follows. In the case of female embryos that form ovaries, ti wil cause the development of the female ducts and external genitalia since testosterone hormone is not produced. Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex hormone production in the embryo results ni strange abnormalities. For instance, a genetic male develops the female accessory structures and external genitalia fi the embryonic testes fail to produce testosterone. On the other hand, fi a genetic female is exposed to testosterone (as in the case of a mother with androgen-producing tumor of her adrenal gland), the embryo has ovaries but may develop male accessory ducts and glands, as well as a male reproductive organ and an empty scrotum. As a result, pseudohermaphrodites are formed who are individuals having accessory reproductive structures that do not "match" their gonads while true hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular tissues but this condition is rare in nature. Nowadays, many pseudohermaphrodites undergo sex change operations to have their outer selves (external genitalia) fit with their inner selves (gonads). critical event for the development of reproductive organs takes place about one month before birth wherein the male testes formed in the abdominal cavity at approximately the same location as the female ovaries, descend to enter the scrotum. fI this normal event fails, ti may lead to cryptorchidism, This condition usually occurs in young males and causes sterility (which is also a risk factor for cancer of the testes) that is why surgery is usually performed during childhood to solve this problem. Ovary Fallopian tube Uterus -Cervix -Vagina Moreover, abnormal separation of chromosomes during meiosis can lead to congenital defects of the reproductive system. For instance, males who possess extra female sex chromosome have the normal male accessory structures, but atrophy (to shrink) of their testes causes them to be sterile. Other abnormalities resultwhen a child has only one sex chromosome. An XO female appears normal but lacks ovaries. YO males die during development. Other much less serious conditions also affect males primarily such as phimosis, which is due to a narrowing of the foreskin of the male reproductive structure and misplaced urethral openings. Pubertyisthe period of life, generally between theages of 10 and 15 years old, when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones (testosterone ni males and estrogen ni females). After this time, reproductive capability continues until old age in males and menopause in females. The changes that occur during puberty is similar ni sequence ni all individuals but the age which they occur differs among individuals. In males, as they reach the age of 13, puberty is characterized by the increase ni the size of the reproductive organs followed by the appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary, and face. The reproductive organs continue to grow for two years until sexual maturation marked by the presence of mature semen in the testes. In females, the budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age of 11 signals their puberty stage. Menarche is the first menstrual period of females which happens two years after the start of puberty. Hormones play an important role ni the regulation of ovulation and fertility of females. Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System Infections are the most common problems associated with the reproductive system in adults. Vaginal infections are more common ni young and elderly women and in those whose resistance to diseases is low. The usual infections include htose caused by Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract; the sexually transmitted microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes virus; and yeast (a type of fungus). Vaginal infections that are left untreated may spread throughout the female reproductivetract and may cause pelvicinflammatory disease and sterility. Problems that involve painful or abnormal menses may also be due to infection or hormone imbalance. nI males, the most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis, all of which may follow sexual contacts in which sexually transmitted disease (STD) microorganisms are transmitted. Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, is rather uncommon but is serious because ti can cause sterility. Orchiditis most commonly follows mumps in an adult male. Neoplasms are a major threat to reproductive organs. Tumors of the breast and cervix are the most common reproductive cancers in adult females, and prostate cancer (a common sequel to prostatic hypertrophy) is a widespread problem in adult males. Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities ni their late 20s. Anatural decrease in ovarian function usually follows characterized by reduced estrogen production that causes irregular ovulation and shorter menstrual periods. Consequently, ovulation and menses stop entirely, ending childbearing ability. This event is called as menopause, which occurs when females no longer experience menstruation. The production of estrogen may still continue after menopause but the ovaries finally stop functioning as endocrine organs. The reproductive organs and breasts begin to atrophy or shrink fi estrogen is no longer released from the body. The vagina becomes dry that causes intercourse to become painful (particularly fi frequent), and vaginal infections become increasingly common. Other consequences of estrogen deficiency may also be observed including irritability and other mood changes (depression in some); intense vasodilation of the skin's blood vessels, which causes uncomfortable sweat-drenching "hot flashes"; gradual thinning of the skin and loss of bone mass; and slowly rising blood cholesterol levels, which place postmenopausalwomen at risk for cardiovascular disorders. Some physicians prescribe low-dose estrogen-progestin preparations to help women through this usually difficult period and to prevent skeletal and cardiovascular complications. There is no counterpart for menopausein males. Although aging men show a steady decline ni testosterone secretion, their reproductive capability seems unending. Healthy men are still able to father offspring well into their 80s and beyond. Erogenous Zones Erogenous zones refer to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when touched in a sexual manner. Some of the commonly known erogenous zones are the mouth, breasts, genitals, and anus. Erogenous zones may vary from one person ot another. Some people may enjoy being touched ni a certain area more than the other areas.Other common areas of the body that can be aroused easily may include the neck, thighs, abdomen, and feet. Human Sexual Behavior Human sexual behavior is defined as any activity solitary, between two persons, or ni a group that induces sexual arousal (Gebhard, P.H. 2017). There are two major factors that determine human sexual behavior: the inherited sexual response patterns that have evolved as a means of ensuring reproduction and that become part of each individual's genetic inheritance, and the degree of restraint or other types of influence exerted on the individual by society ni the expression of his sexuality. Types of Behavior The varioustypes of human sexual behavior are usually classifiedaccording to the gender and number of participants. There is solitary behavior involving only one individual, and there is sociosexual behavior involving more than one person. Sociosexual behavior is generally divided into heterosexual behavior (male with female) and homosexual behavior (male with male or female with female). fI three or more individuals are involved, ti is, possible to have heterosexual and homosexual activity simultaneously (Gebhard, P.H. 2017)..1 Solitary Behavior Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and generally, sexual climax. Usually, most self-gratification takes place ni private as an end in itself, but can also be done ni a sociosexual relationship. Self-gratification, generally beginning at or before puberty, is very common among young males, but becomes less frequent or is abandoned when sociosexual activity is available. Consequently, self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried. There are more males who perform acts of self-gratification than females. The frequency greatly varies among individuals and ti usually decreases as soon as they develop sociosexual relationships. Majority of males and females have fantasies of some sociosexual activity while they gratify themselves. The fantasy frequently involves idealized sexual partners and activities that the individual has not experienced and even might avoid in real life.  Nowadays, humans are frequently being exposed to sexual stimuli especially from advertising and social media. Some adolescents become aggressive when they respond to such stimuli. The rate of teenage pregnancy is increasing ni our time. The challenge is to develop self-control in order to balance suppression and free expression. Adolescents need to control their sexual response in order to prevent premarital sex and acquire sexually transmitted diseases. Sociosexual Behavior Heterosexual behavior is the greatest amountof sociosexual behavior that occurs between only one male and one female. It usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining genitalia. There is varying degree of sexual impulse and responsiveness among children. Physical contact involving necking or petting is considered as an ingredient of the learning process and eventually of courtshipand the selection of a marriage partner. Petting differs from hugging, kissing, and generalized caresses of the clothed body to practice involving stimulation of the genitals. Petting may be done as an expression of affection and a source of pleasure, preliminary to coitus. Petting has been regarded by others as a near-universal human experience and is important not only ni selecting the partner but as a way of learning how to interact with another person sexually. Coitus, the insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female reproductive organ, is viewed by society quite differently depending upon the marital status of the individuals. Majority of human societies allow premarital coitus, at least under certain circumstances. In modern Western society, premarital coitus is more likely to be tolerated but not encouraged fi the individuals intend marriage. Moreover, ni most societies, marital coitus is considered as an obligation. Extramarital coitus involving wives is generally condemned and, fi permitted, is allowed only under exceptional conditions or with specified persons. Societies are becoming more considerate toward males than females who engage in extramarital coitus. This double standard of morality is also evident ni premarital life. Postmarital coitus (i.e., coitus by separated, divorced or widowed persons) is almost always ignored. There is a difficulty in enforcing abstinence among sexually experienced and usually older people for societies that try to confine coitus in married couples. A behavior may be interpreted by society or the individual as erotic (i.e., capable of engendering sexual response) depending on the context ni which the behavior occurs. For instance, a kiss may be interpreted as a gesture of expression or intimacy between couples while others may interpret is as a form of respect or reverence, like when kissing the hand of an elder or someone in authority. Examination and touching someone's genitalia isnot interpreted as a sexualact especially when done for medical purposes. Consequently, the apparent motivation of the behavior greatly determines its interpretation. Physiology of Human Sexual Response Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when sexual activity is continued. Excitement phase- it is caused by increase ni pulse and blood pressure; a sudden rise in blood supply to the surface of the body resulting in increased skin temperature, flushing, and swelling of alldistensible body parts (particularly noticeable in the male reproductive structure and female breasts), more rapid breathing, the secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion, and a general increase in muscle tension. These symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a near maximal physiological level that leads to the next stage. Plateau phase - it is generally of brief duration. fI stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs. Sexual climax - it is marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a rapid increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male. tI is also characterized by involuntary vocalizations. Sexual climax may last for a few seconds (normally not over ten), after which the individual enters the resolution phase. Resolution phase - ti is the last stage that refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiologic state. Males and females are similar ni their response sequence. Whereas males return to normal even fi stimulation continues, but continued stimulation can produce additional orgasms ni females. Females are physically capable of repeated orgasms without the intervening "rest period" required by males. Nervous System Factors The entire nervous system plays a significant roleduring sexual response. The autonomic system is involved in controlling the involuntary responses. In the presence of a stimulus capable enough of initiating a sexual response, the efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain. The brain wil interpret the sensory message and dictate what wil be the immediate and appropriate response of the body. After interpretation and integration of sensory input, the efferent cerebrospinal nerves receive commands from the brain and send them to the muscles; and the spinal cord serves as a great transmission cable. Themuscles contract inresponse to the signal coming from the motor nerve fibers while glands secrete their respective products. Hence, sexual response is dependent on the activity of the nervous system. The hypothalamus and the limbic system are the parts of the brain believed ot be responsible for regulating the sexual response, but there si no specialized "sex center" that has been located in the human brain. Animal experiments show that each individual has coded in its brain two sexual response patterns, one for mounting (masculine) behavior and one for mounted (feminine) behavior. Sex hormones can intensify the mounting behavior of individuals. Normally, one response pattern is dominant and the other latent can still be initiated when suitable circumstances occur. The degree to which such innate pattering exists in humans is still unknown. Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses, thereis some reflex (i.e., not brain-controlled) sexual response. This reflex is mediated by the lower spinal cord and leads to erection and ejaculation for male, vaginal discharges and lubrication for female when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated. But still, the brain can overrule and suppress such reflex activity as it does when an individual decides that a sexual response is socially inappropriate. Sexual Problems Sexual problems may be classified as physiological, psychological, and social ni origin. Any given problem may involve all three categories. Physiological problems are the least among the three categories. Only a small number of people suffer from diseases that are due to abnormal development of the genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology controlling sexual response. Some common physiologic conditions that can disturb sexual response include vaginal infections, retroverted uteri, prostatitis, adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the vagina, and cardiovascular problems. Fortunately, the majority of physiological sexual problems can be resolved through medication or surgery while problems of the nervous system that can affect sexual response are more difficult to treat. Psychological problems comprise by far the largest category. They are usually caused by socially induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, ignorance, and sexual myths held by society. An example of the latter is the belief that good, mature sex must involve rapid erection, prolonged coitus, and simultaneous orgasm. Magazines, marriage books, and general sexual folklore often strengthen these demanding ideals, which are not always achieved; therefore, can give rise to feelings of inadequacy anxiety and guilt. Such resulting negative emotions can definitely affect the behavior of anindividual. Premature emission of semen is a common problem, especially for young males. Sometimes this is not the consequence of any psychological problem but the natural result of excessive tension in a male who has been sexually deprived. Erectile impotence is almost always of psychological origin in males under 40; ni older males, physical causes are more often involved. Fear of being impotent frequently causes impotence, and, ni many cases, the afflicted male is simply caught up ni a self-perpetuating problem that can be solved only by achieving a successful act of coitus. nI other cases, the impotence may be the result of disinterest ni the sexual partner, fatigue, and distraction because of nonsexual worries, intoxication, or other causes such occasional impotency is common and requires no therapy. Ejaculatory impotence, which results from the inability to ejaculate in coitus, is uncommon and si usually of psychogenic origin. tI appears ot beassociated with ideas of contamination or with memories of traumatic experiences. Occasional ejaculatory inability can be possibly expected in older men or in any male who has exceeded his sexual capacity. Vaginismus is a strong spasm of the pelvic musculature constricting the female reproductive organ so that penetration is painfulor impossible. It can be due to anti-sexual conditioning or psychological trauma that serves as an unconscious defense against coitus. It can betreated by psychotherapy and by gradually dilating the female reproductive organ with increasingly large cylinders. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person through sexual contact. STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Examples include gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus infection, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), chlamydia, and syphilis (National Institute ofAllergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institute of Health of the United States 2017). STDs are a significant global health priority because of their overwhelming impact on women and infants and their inter-relationships with HIV and AIDS. STDs and HIV are associated with biological interactions because both infections may occur in the same populations. Infection with certain STDs can increase the risk of getting and transmitting HIV as well' as modify the way the disease develops. Moreover, STDs can lead to long-term health problems, usually ni women and infants. Amongthe health complicationsthat arise from STDsare pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, tubal or ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer, and perinatal or congenital infections in infants born to infected mothers. One of the leading STDs worldwide is AIDS, which is caused by HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus attacks the immune system making the individual more prone to infections and other diseases. The virus usually targets the T-cells (CD4 cells) of the immune system, which serve as the regulators of the immune system. The virus survives throughout the body but may be transmitted via body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. AIDS occurs in the advanced stage of HIV infection. Aside from HIV and AIDS, there are other sexually transmitted diseases ni humans. The following list of diseases is based on Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2016 of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1. Chlamydia In 2016, a total of 1,598,354 cases of Chlamydia Trachomatis infection were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), making it the most common notifiable condition in the United States. This case count corresponds to a rate of 497.3 cases per 100,000 population, an increase of 4.7% compared with the rate in 2015. During 2015 to 2016, rates of reported chlamydia increased in all regions of the United States. 52 Understanding the Self Rates of chlamydia are highest among adolescent and young adult females, the population targeted for routine chlamydia screening. Among young women attending family planning clinics participating in a sentinel surveillance program who were tested for chlamydia, 9.2% of 15 to 19 years old and 8.0% of 20 to 24 years old were positive. Rates of reported cases among men are generally lower than rates among women. 2. Gonorrhea In 2016, 468,514 gonorrhea cases were reported for a rate of 145.8 cases per 100,000 population, an increase of 18.5% from 2015. During 2015 to 2016, the rate of reported gonorrhea increased 22.2% among men and 13.8% among women. The magnitude of the increase among men suggests either increased transmission or increased case ascertainment (e.g., through increased extra-genital screening) among MSM (men who have sex with men) or both. Theconcurrent increases among cases reported among women suggest parallel increases in heterosexual transmission, increased screening among women, or both. nI 2016, the rate of reported cases of gonorrhea remained highest among African Americans (481.2 cases per 100,000 population) and among American Indians/Alaska Natives (242.9 cases per 100,000 population). During 2012 to 2016, rates increased among all racial and ethnic groups. Antimicrobial resistance remains an important consideration in the treatment of gonorrhea. 3. Syphilis In 2016, 27,814 Primary and Secondary (P&S) syphilis cases were reported, representing a national rate of 8.7 cases per 100,000 population and a 17.6% increase from 2015. From 2015 to 2016, the P&S syphilis rate increased among both men and women in every region of the country; overall, the rate increased 14.7% among men and 35.7% among women. During 2012 to 2016, P&S syphilis rates were consistently highest among persons aged 20 to 29 years old, but rates increased ni every 5-year age group among those aged 15 to 64 years. In 2016, rates were highest among African Americans (23.3 per 100,000 population) and Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islanders (13.9 per 100,000 population); however, rates increased among all racial and ethnic groups in 2012 to 2016. 4. Chancroid Chancroid is caused by infection with the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi. Clinical manifestations include genital ulcers and inguinal lymphadenopathy or buboes. Reported cases of chancroid declined steadily between 1987 and 2001. Since then, the number of reported cases has fluctuated somewhat, while still appearing to decline overall. In 2016, a total of 7cases of chancroid were reported in the United States. 5. Human Papillomavirus Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection ni the United States. Over 40 distinct HPV types can infect the genital tract; although most infections are asymptomatic and appear to resolve spontaneously within a few years, the prevalence of genital infection with any HPV type was 42.5% among United States adults aged 18 to 59 years during 2013 to 2014. Persistent infection with some HPV types can cause cancer and genital warts. HPV types 16 and 18 account for approximately 66% of cervical cancers ni the United States, and approximately 25% of low-grade and 50% of high-grade cervical intrepithelial lesions, or dysplasia. HPV types 6 and 1 are responsible for approximately 90% of genital warts. 6. Herpes Simplex Virus Herpes simplex virus (HS) is among the most prevalent of sexually transmitted infections. Although most infections are subclinical, clinical manifestations are characterized by recurrent, painful genital and/or anal lesions. Most genital H S infections ni the United States are caused by HSV type 2 (HSV-2), while HSV type 1 (HSV-1) infections are typically orolabial and acquired during childhood. 7. Trichomonas Vaginalis Trichomonas vaginalis is a common sexually transmitted protozoal infection associated with adverse health outcomes such as preterm birth and symptomatic vaginitis. It is not a nationally reportable condition, and trend data are limited to estimates of initial physician office visits for this condition. Visits appear to be fairly stable since the 1990s; the number of initial visits for Trichomonas vaginalis infection ni 2015 was 139,000. Natural and Artificial Methods of Contraception Natural Method The natural family planning methods do not involve any chemicalor foreign body introduction into the human body. People who are very conscious of their religious beliefs are more inclined to use the natural way of birth control and others follow such natural methods because they are more cost-effective (www. nurseslabs.com 2016). a. Abstinence This natural method involves refraining from sexual intercourse and is the most effective natural birth control method with ideally 0% fail rate. It is considered to be the most effective way to avoid STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). However, most people find it difficult to comply with abstinence, so only a few use this method. b. Calendar Method This method is also called as the rhythm method. It entails withholding from coitus during the days that the woman is fertile. According to the menstrual cycle, the woman is likely to conceive three or four days before and three or four days after ovulation. The woman needs torecord her menstrual cycle for six monthsin order to calculate the woman's safe days to prevent conception. Menstruation Infertile infertile C. Basal Body Temperature The basal body temperature (BBT) indicates the woman's temperature at rest. Before the day of ovulation and during ovulation, BBT falls at 0.5°F; ti increases to a fulldegree because of progesterone and maintains its level throughout the menstrual cycle. This serves as the basis for the method. The woman must record her temperature every morning before any activity. A slight decrease ni the basal body temperature followed by a gradual increase ni the basal body temperature can be a sign that a woman has ovulated. d. Cervical Mucus Method The change in the cervical mucus during ovulation is the basis for this method. During ovulation, the cervical mucus is copious, thin, and watery. It also exhibits the property of spinnbarkeit, wherein it can be stretched up until at least 1inch and is slippery. The woman is said to be fertile as long as the cervical mucus is copious and watery. Therefore, she must avoid coitus during those days to prevent conception. e. Symptothermal Method The symptothermal method is basically a combination of the BBT method and the cervical mucus method. The woman records her temperature every morning and also takes note of changes in her - cervical mucus. She should abstain from coitus three days after a rise in her temperature or on the fourth day after the peak of a mucus change. f. Ovulation Detection The ovulation detection method uses an over-the-counter kit that requires the urine sample of the woman. The kit can predict ovulation through the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that happens 12 to 24 hours before ovulation. g. Coitus Interruptus Coitus Interrupts is one of the oldest methods that prevents conception. Acouple still goes on with coitus, but the man withdraws the moment he ejaculates to emit the spermatozoa outside of the female reproductive organ. Adisadvantage of this method is the pre- ejaculation fluid that contains a few spermatozoa that may cause fertilization. Artificial Methods a. Oral Contraceptives Also known a s the pill, oral contraceptives contain synthetic estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen suppresses the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and LH to prevent ovulation. Moreover, progesterone decreases the permeability of the cervical mucus to limit the sperm's access to the ova. It is suggested that the woman takes the first pill on the first Sunday after the beginning of a menstrual flow, or as soon as it si prescribed by the doctor. b. Transdermal Patch The transdermal p a t c h contains both and estrogen progesterone. The woman should apply one patch every week for three weeks on the following areas: upper outer arm, upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks. At the fourth week, no patch is applied because the menstrual flow would then occur. The area where the patch is applied should be clean, dry, and free ofirritation.  C. Vaginal Ring The vaginal ring r e l e a s e s a combination of estrogen and progesterone and ti surrounds the cervix. This silicon ring is inserted into the female reproductive organ and remains there for three weeks and then removed on the fourth week, as menstrual flow would occur. The woman becomes fertile as soon as the ring is removed. d. Subdermal Implants Subdermal implants are two rod-like implants inserted under the skin fo the female during her menses or on the seventh day of her menstruation to make sure that she wil not get pregnant. The implants are made with etonogestrel, desogestrel, and progestin and can be helpful for three to five years. e. Hormonal Injections A hormonal injection contains medroxyprogesterone, a progesterone, and is usually given once every 12 weeks intramuscularly. The injection causes changes ni the endometrium and cervical mucus nad can help prevent ovulation. f. Intrauterine Device An Intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped object containing progesterone that is inserted into the uterus via the female reproductive organ. tI prevents fertilization by creating a local sterile inflammatory condition to prevent implantation of the zygote. The IUD * is fitted only by the physician and inserted after the woman's menstrual flow. The device can be effective for five to seven years. g. Chemical Barriers Chemical barriers such as spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and glycerin films are used to cause the death of'sperms before they can enter the cervix and to lower the pH level of the female reproductive organ so it wil not become conducive for the sperm. On the other hand, these chemical barriers cannot prevent sexually transmitted infections. h. Diaphragm It is a circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed before coitus. Diaphragm works by inhibiting the entrance of the sperm into the female reproductive organ and ti works better when used together with a spermicide. The diaphragm should be fitted only by the physician, and should remain in place for six hours after coitus. i. Cervical Cap The cervical cap is made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the cervix. It is shaped like thimble with a thin rim, and could stay in place for not more than 48 hours. j. Male Condoms The male condom is a latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male reproductive organ Ficies before penetration into the female reproductive organ to trap the sperm during ejaculation. It can prevent STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and can be bought over-the-counter. Male condoms have an ideal fail rate of 2% and a typical fail rate of 15% due to a break ni the sheath's integrity or spilling of semen. k. Female Condoms Female condoms are made u p of l a t e x rubber sheaths that are pre-lubricated with spermicide. They are usually bound by two rings. The outer ring is first inserted against the opening of the female reproductive organ and the inner ring covers the cervix. It is used to prevent fertilization of the egg by the sperm cells. i. Surgical Methods During vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the scrotum. The vas deferens is then tied, cauterized, cut, or plugged to block the passage of the sperm. The patient is advised to use a backup contraceptive method until two negative sperm count results are recorded because the sperm could remain viable in the vas deferens for six months. In women, tubal ligation is performed after menstruation and before ovulation. The procedure is done through a small incision under the woman's umbilicus that targets the fallopian tube for cutting. cauterizing, or blocking to inhibit the passage of both the sperm and the ova. Lesson 2: Material/Ergonomic Self INTRODUCTION We are living in a world of sale and shopping spree. We are given a wide array of products to purchase from a simple set of spoon and fork to owning a restaurant. Almost everywhere, including the digital space, we can find promotions of product purchase. Product advertisements are suggestive of making us feel better or look good. Part of us wants to have that product. What makes us want to have those products are connected with who we are. What we want to have and already possess is related to our self. Belk (1988) stated that "we regard our possessions as parts of our selves. We are what we have and what we possess." There is a direct link between self- identity with what we have and possess. Our wanting to have and possess has a connection with another aspect of the self, the material self. Let us try to examine ourselves further in the lens of material self. ABSTRACTION Material Self A Harvard psychologist ni the late nineteenth century, William James, wrote ni his book, The Principles of Psychologyin 1890 that understanding the self can be examined through its different components. He described these components as: (1) its constituents; (2) the feelings and emotions they arouse self-feelings; (3) the actions to which they prompt- -self-seeking and self-preservation. The constituents of self are composed of the material self, the social self, the spiritual self and the pure ego. (Trentmann 2016; Green 1997) The material self, according to James primarily is about our bodies, clothes, immediate family, and home. We are deeply affected by these things because we have put much investment of our self to them. The innermost part of our material self is our body. Intentionally, we are investing in our body. We are directly attached to this commodity that we cannot ivewithout. We strive hard to make sure that this body functions well and good.Any ailment or disorder directly affects us. We do have certain preferential attachment or intimate closeness to certain body parts because of its value to us. There were people who get their certain body parts insured. Celebrities, like Mariah Carey who was reported to have placed a huge amount for the insurance of her vocal cords and legs (Sukman 2016). Next to our body are the clothes we use. Influenced by the "Philosophy of Dress" by Herman Lotze, James believed that clothing is an essential part of the material self. Lotzein his book, Microcosmus, stipulates that "any time we bringan object into the surface of our body, we invest that object into the consciousness of our personal existence taking in its contours to be our own and making it part of the self." (Watson 2014) The fabric and style of the clothes we wear bring sensations ot the body to which directly affect our attitudes and behavior. Thus, clothes are claced in the second hierarchy of material self. Clothing is a formof self-expression. Wechoose and wear clothes that reflect our self (Watson 2014). Third in the hierarchy is our immediate family. Our parents and siblings hold another great important part of our self. What they do or becomeaffects us. When an immediate family member dies, part of our self dies, too. When their lives are ni success, we feel their victories as fi we are the one holding the trophy. nI their Failures, we are put to shame or guilt. When they are ni disadvantage situation, there is an urgent urge to help like a voluntary instinct of saving one's self from danger. We place huge investment in our immediate family when we see them as The nearest replica of our self. The fourth component of material self is our home. Home is where our heart is. It is the earliest nest of our selfhood. Our experiences inside the home were recorded and marked on particular parts and things ni our home. There was an old cliche about rooms: "if only wals can speak." The home thusis an extension of self, because ni it, we can directly connect our self. Having investment of self to things, made us attached to those things. The moreinvestment of self-given to the particular thing, the more we identify ourselves to it. We also tended to collect and possess properties. The collections in different degree of investment of self, becomes part of the self. As James (1890) described self. "a man's self is the sum total of all what he CAN call his." Possessions then become a part or an extension of the self. We Are What We Have Russel Belk (1988) posits that ". *we regard our possessions as part of ourselves. We are what we have and what we posses." The identification of the self to things started ni our infancy stage when we make a distinction among self and environment and others who may desire our possessions. As we grow older, putting importance to material possession decreases. However, material possession gains higher value ni our lifetime fi we use material possession ot find happiness, associate these things with significant events, accomplishments, and people in our lives. There are even times, when material possession of a person that is closely identified to the person, gainsacknowledgment with high regard even fi the person already passed away. Examples of these are the chair ni the dining room on which the person is always seated, the chair wil be the constant reminder of the person seated there; a well-loved and kept vehicle of the person, which some of the bereaved family members have a difficulty to sellor let go of because that vehicle is very much identified with the owner who passed away; the favorite pet or book, among others that the owner placed a high value, these favorite things are symbols of the owner. The possessions that we dearly have tell something about who we are, our self-concept, our past, and even our future. Lesson 3: Spiritual Self INTRODUCTION Spiritual self is one of thefour constituents of the"self according to William James ni his book, The Principles of Psychology ni 1890. The spiritual self is the most intimate,inner subjective part of self. It is the most intimate version of the self because of the satisfaction experienced when thinking of one's ability to argue and discriminate, of one's moral sensibility and conscience, and of our unconquerable wil (James 1890) is purer than al other sentiments of satisfaction. (Green 1997) The ability to use moral sensibility and conscience may be seen through the expressions of religion, its beliefs and practices. In the same manner, cultural rituals and ceremonies are some manifestations what people believe in. Moreover, seeking the meaning of life is a journey that the spiritual self is on. ABSTRACTION Religion Rebecca Stein (Stein 2011) works on the definition of religion "as a set of cultural beliefs and practices that usually includes some or all of basic characteristics. These characteristics are: 1. A belief ni anthropomorphic supernatural being, such as spirit and gods 2. Afocus on the sacred supernatural, where sacred refers to a feeling of reverence and awe 3. The presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on supernatural beings as well as physical beings and objects 4. The performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of sacred object to communicate to supernatural beings and/or to influence or control events The articulation of worldviewand moral codes through narratives and other means 6. Provide the creation and maintenanceof social bonds and mechanism of social control within a community; provide explanation for unknown and a sense of control for individuals. An individual lives in a society where there are many practices of religion. The choice of religious belief lies within the spiritual self. Although the choice maybe influenced by the society and its culture. Ritual Ritual is the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a tradition or sacred law (Britannica 2017). Ritual is a specific, observable mode of behavior exhibited by al known societies. It is thus possible to view ritual as a way of defining or describing humans. There are three fundamental characteristics of rituals according to Penner (Britannica 2017). Ritual has the characteristics of: 1. a feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread ni relation to the sacred 2. dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed in the language of myth 3. is symbolic ni relation to its reference The self can be described as a ritual being who exhibits a striking parallel between their ritual and verbal behavior. Just aslanguage is a system ofsymbols that is based upon arbitrary rules, ritual may be viewed as a system of symbolic acts that is based upon arbitrary rules. Participation to rituals is expressions of religious beliefs. Some World Religious Beliefs and Practices There are different religions with different beliefs and practices. Some of the major world religions are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Excerpt of some religious beliefs and practices are found in the University of London's Religion and Belief Guide 2017. Buddhism Beliefs Image of Buddah Buddhist Temple Buddhism believes that life is not a bed of roses. Instead, there are suffering, pain, and frustrations. When people suffer, they want ot experience the goodness of life and avoid disappointments. tI becomes a habit known as the reactive cycle of wanting and hating, like and dislike, and craving and aversion. This reactive cycle can be broken through the practice of mediation, acquiring more wisdomand deeper understanding, and acceptance fo things as they are. Customs and Practices There are two types of meditation practices: samatha and vipassana. Samatha is practiced as mindfulness fo breathing and development of loving-kindness (Meta Bhavana). Vipassana practices aim at developing insight into reality: Acquiring wisdom si by studying Buddha's teaching, the Dharma. Through the reflection of Dharma, Buddhists nac achieve a deeper understanding of life. Buddhists believe ni non-violence principle. Some of the major Buddhist celebrations are Parinirvana Day in February; Buddha Day (Wesak) ni May; Dharma Day ni July; Padmasambhava Day ni October; and Sangha Day in November. Christianity Beliefs the Father (Creator), God the Son (Savior), and God the Holy Spirit (Sustainer). Eternal life after death wil be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is, God the Son, who came into flesh, to spread the Good News of Salvation. He died on the Cross for the sin of the humanity but resurrected from the death, so that anyone who believes ni Him wil be saved and have eternal life. The Holy Bible is a selection of books, which is divided into two, the Old Testament and New Testament. Customs and Practices Sacrament of Baptism and Sacrament of Communion are practiced by Christian churches. The Sacrament of Baptism symbolizes the birth in Christian World, while the Sacramentof Communion is an act of remembrance of Jesus Christ's sacrificial love. Jesus Christ teaching in unconditional love that is expressed ni loving the poor, oppressed, and outcast of the society. Christmas and Resurrection (Easter) are the two major celebrations in Christianity. Christmas, usually on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ while Resurrection Sunday (depends on the lunar calendar, sometimes un March or April) celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death. Hinduism Beliefs Hinduism covers a wide range of traditional beliefs and religious groups; thus, there is no single founder or leader. Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, governed by Karma, Karma is a concept where the reincarnated life will depend on how the pastlife was spent. Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived. Vedas are sacred scriptures of Hindus. Mahabharata and Ramayana are two other important texts of the Hindus. Customs and Practices Diwali, and Navrati are the most celebrated festivals of the Hindus. Diwali is the Festival of Lights while Navrati is the festival of nine nights, which celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Hindus have set dates to honor particular manifestations of God. Islam Beliefs Muslims believe ni Allah, who is their "One God". They believe ni the unity and universality of God. Muslims also have a strong sense of community or "ummah" and an awareness of their solidarity with al Muslims worldwide. Islam means "willing submission to God." Muslims believe that Mohammed is the last and final prophet sent by God. Mohammed was born in Mecca in 570 CE and received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. The Holy Book of Islam is called the Quran, which was taught to be recited ni Arabic because any translation is seen as inadequate. Customs and Practices L Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam, which are the foundation of Muslim life: 1. Shahadah- statement of faith: "There is no God but the one true God and Mohammed is his messenger." 2. Salat - the prayer that is practiced five times a day. 3. Zakat- the monetary offering for the benefit of the poor. It comprises the 2.5% of a Muslim's assets. 4. Haj - the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford are asked to do the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. 5. Sawm - the fasting. Muslims do fasting, from food, drink, and sexual act, during the celebration of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The fast is from dawn to sunset. Two of the major festivals in Islam are Eidul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha. Eidul-Fitr isthecelebration at the end of Ramadan, whileEidul-Adha is celebratedwithin the completion of the Pilgrimage, the Haj. Judaism Beliefs The Jews believe in the God of Abraham, the same God that liberated the Hebrew slaves from Egypt to Canaan, the Promised Land through the leadership of Moses and later, Joshua. The Jews believe ni the coming of Messiah, the Savior. The sacred scripture of the Jews is called the Torah or the Law. The Torah is the guide of the Jewish living. The study and interpretation of Torah is part of the Jewish culture. Customs and Practices There are five major festivals observed by the Jews: 1. Rosh Hashanah - the New Year 2. Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement 3. Pesach- Passover 4. Shavuot - Pentecost 5. Sukkot - Tabernacles. The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sunset and is animportant time when families gather for the Shabbat meal. Religious beliefs, rituals, practices, and customs are al part of the expression of the spiritual self. What to believe and how to manifest the belief is entirely dependent on the individual, to the self. Aperson might believe that there is a higher being, a supernatural being, usually termed as God, but not necessarily wants to be affiliated or identified with a certain religious group. Others may have religious practices which are perceived to be contrary to the practices of other groups. Religious beliefs and practices, therefore, are formed relative to its context and culture. Finding and Creating Meaning of Life Another extensive study of self can be found ni the works of Dr. Viktor E. Frankl. The Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna was created in 1992. The Institute has a website where there is a synopsis of his life and works and present programs (http://www.viktorfranklinstitute. org/About_Viktor_Frankl.html). The following are the excerpts from the website: The Psychiatrist D.r Viktor E. Frankl was born on March 26, 1905 in Vienna,Austria, where famous psychiatrists Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler lived. At a young age, he wrote a short paper to Freud which was published after three years. Dr. Frankl graduated with a medical degree from the University of Vienna ni 1930. He was assigned in Vienna Hospital suicide ward and headed the Rothschild Hospital, eight years later. A survivor of the Holocaust, D.r Frank published a book about logotherapy. In 1959, the book was translated to English and wasrevised in 1963 as The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy. His book, Man's Search for Meaning, has been used as a textbook ni high school and college courses. D.r Frank died ni 1997. Logotherapy Logotherapy is a psychotherapy introduced by D.r Viktor Frankl, who is considered the Father of Logotherapy. The main belief of logotherapy is that "man's primary motivational force is search for meaning." Logotherapy aids individuals to find personal meaning of life, whatever life situation they may be. In logotherapy, meaning can be discovered by creating a work or doing a deed, experiencing something or encountering someone and the attitude toward unavoidable suffering. According to the Victor Frank Institute of Logotheraphy (n.d.), ti uses the philosophy of optimism ni the face of tragedy, where people are capable of "turning suffering into human achievement and accomplishment; deriving from guilt the opportunity to change oneself for the better; and deriving from life's transitoriness an incentive to take responsible action. Basic Concepts of Franklian Psychology The Franklian Psychology has the basic concepts. These are the following: ⁃ Life has meaning under all circumstances. ⁃ Main motivation for living is our wil to find meaning in life. ⁃ Freedom to find meaning. Furthermore, Franklian Psychology aims to: (1) become aware of spiritual resources, (2) make conscious spiritual resources, and (3) use "defiant power of the human spirit" and stand up against adversity. Logotherapy Assumptions Al psychotherapies make philosophical assumptions about the human persons that cannot be proved with certainty. Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy (n.d.) states the assumptions of logotherapy, which include the following: 1. The human being is a nentityconsisting of body, mind, and spirit. This first assumption deals with the body (soma), mind (psyche), and spirit (noos). According to Franki, the bodyand mind are what we have and the spirit is what we are. 2. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable. Assumption two si "ultimate meaning." This is difficult to grasp but ti si something everyone experiences and it represents an order in a world with laws that go beyond human laws. 3. People have a will to meaning. The third assumption is seen as our main motivation for living and acting. When we see meaning, we are ready for any type of suffering. This is considered to be different than our wil to achieve power and pleasure. 4. People have freedom under all circumstances to activate the will to find meaning. Assumption four is that we are free to activate our will to find meaning, and this can be done under any circumstances. This deals with change of attitudes about unavoidable fate. Frank was able to test the first four assumptions when he was confined in the concentration camps. 5. Life has a demand quality to which people must respond if decisions are to be meaningful. The fifth assumption, the meaning of the moment, is more practical in dailyliving than ultimate meaning. Unlike ultimate meaning this meaning can be found and fulfilled. This can be done by following the values of society or by following the voice of our conscience. 6. The individual is unique. The sixth assumption deals with one's sense of meaning. This is enhanced by the realization that we are irreplaceable. In essence, all humans are unique with an entity of body, mind, and spirit. We al go through unique situations and are constantly looking to find meaning. We are free to do these at al times in response to certain demands. Frankl's Sources of Meaning Popova (2017) discussed Viktor Frank's work. There are three possible sources of the meaning of life: purposeful work, courage in the face of difficulty. and love. 1. Purposeful Work. To find the meaning of life starts with holding a future goal. Each individual has each own future goal to achieve or a task to perform. That task or goal to fulfill becomes the meaning of their life. Therefore, meaning of life is unique to every individual 2. Courage in the Face of Difficulty. Ameaningful life i sa life with suffering. Suffering is inevitable part of life. To find meaning of life is to recognize suffering, pain, and death as part of life and to have the courage to face these life difficulties. 3. Love. Popova (2017) quoted Dr. Frank's notes about his experience in the Nazi Camp: "For hours I stood hacking at the icy ground. The guard passed by, insulting me, and once again I communed with my beloved. More and more Ifelt that she was present, that she was with me; I had the feeling that I was able to touch her, able to stretch out my hand and grasp hers. The feeling was very strong: she was there. Then, at that very moment, a bird flew down silently and perched just in front of me, on the heap of soil which I had dug up from the ditch, and looked steadily at me." D.r Frank's wife, parents, and some relatives were victims of gas chambers. His love for his wife kept him fight for his life. Popova (2017) also quoted D.r Frank's definition of love: "Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him. By his love, he is enabled to see the essential traits and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential ni him.. Furthermore, by his love, the loving person enables the beloved person to actualize these potentialities. By making him aware of what he can be and of what he should become, hemakes these potentialities come true." Costello (2015) captured Viktor Frank's message: "The ultimate secret on the spiritual foundation of life is that love is salvation and joy eternity."The ultimate factor to find the meaning of life is love. Lesson 4: Political Self ABSTRACTION What makes a Filipino a genuine Filipino? Do physical characteristics such as having dark hair, flat nose, and dark complexion make one a Filipino? Or is ita person's language, birthplace, and ethnicity? fI you were to introduce yourself as a Filipino to a person of another nationality and he or she asks, "Who are Filipinos?" what will you reply? The Philippines as we know it today has only emerged in the 1890s after over three centuries of colonization of the Spaniards. Meanwhile, liberation from the last colonizers, the Japanese, only occurred ni 1946. Foreign culture, beliefs, language, and religion have made a huge dent on our own by setting a foundation to the contemporary Filipino identity a n dculture. To date,colonial mentality remains an issue. Given the wide discrepancy between the liberation period and today's time, would ti be safe to say that Filipinos have truly developed an identity of their own? Or are we still living in the shadow of our colonial friends? In this chapter, you will learn that an individual's race, ethnicity, and physical characteristics are not the only factors that make a person's national identity. Values and traits are also important indicators that set apart one nationality from the other. These values and traits may not always be a positive thing, but being able to identify one's self apart from other nationalities and point out weaknesses and mistakes, paired with unity and commitment, make progress a possibility. Through common goals, principles, and values of its people, a nation empowers itself. Who Is a Filipino? Filipinos are often referenced to globally renowned personalities like Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, and Michael Cinco who have made Filipinos recognized around the world through their expertise. However, being a Filipino is far more than just being related to these notable figures. Independence Day and Buwan ng Wika celebrations prompt us to go back to our roots and reflect on the question. Who is a Filipino? Technically, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino citizens are " those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines, those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority, and those who are naturalized in accordance with law." However, citizenship is not the only marker of being a Filipino. Culture and history have greatly influenced the manner Filipinos learn, live, and behave to date. People who were born and grew up in the same culture develop and share common personality traits and values. Generations after generations, common traits and values have been passed on that the Filipinos of today still embody. Filipino Values and Traits The Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its grandiose mountain views, pristine beaches, and rich and diverse culture changing from province ot. province. While the Philippines may be wel known ofr sti awe-inspiring beauty, perhaps the Filipinos' unique traits, reputable values, and laudable talents make the country a place to be. Tourists who have visited the Philippines can never forget the big and bright smiles that greeted them, the colorful and loud jepneys, the common Filipino phrases such as "Mabuhay!" and "Salamat/" and habits such as saying "po" and "po" to the elders, leaving shoes ro slippers ta the front door before entering a house, and the importunate asking of "Kumain k a n a ba?" meaning "Have you eaten yet?" Indeed, ti is a marvel ot experience these unique traits of the Filipinos firsthand. Few of these traits are as folows. The Filipino Hospitality A Filipino trait that si known everywhere is hte Filipino's brand fo hospitality. Filipinos welcome their guests and tourists as fi they aer their own brothers and sisters; they always make their guests feel ta home, offering them something to eat, or even a place ot stay. They wil bring out their tseb sets of plates and chinaware for their honored guests and would even go as far as spending a lot of money and going into debt just so they can satisfy them. In most local shops, Filipino salespersons wil greet their customers with warm welcome and saythank you when they leave even without buying anything. Filipinos also anticipate giving tours to friends who wil visit their hometown and treating them to the best restaurants and delicacies for free. During festivals or fiestas, Filipinos serve heaps of festive food and invite the whole barangay over. They are also fond of giving pasalubong or tokens from their travels and pabaon or farewell gifts to their visitors. Respect for Elders Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand while saying "Mano po!" and constantly using po" and "opo" ni conversations. Forgetting to address older people properly will regard them as rude and impolite. There is also a wide array of references to elder people such as ate for older sister; kuya for older brother; Tito and Tita for uncle and aunt, respectively; Lolo a n d Lola for grandfather and grandfather; and Manong and Aling for older people outside the family. Close Family Ties Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their families regardless fi the children are old enough and already have families of their own. They are also fond of family reunions during birthdays, holidays, or fiestas year-round. Some Filipino families even opt to live in a big house where everyone can stay together. Nursing homes are almost always not an option forfamily members and choose to take care of their elders themselves. Cheerful Personality Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot. They smile when they era happy, or sometimes even when they are sad or angry. Smiling has been a coping strategy for many Filipinos especially during trying times and calamities. For instance, Filipinos smile and waveat the camera while being interviewed even after a fire or flooding incident. They always try to maintain a positive outlook in life which makes them resilient and able to manage almost everything with a simple smile. Self-sacrifice The self-sacrificing attitude of Filipinos can be seen as an extension of the Filipino hospitality. Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their friends, families, and loved ones. They wish comfort and better lives for their loved ones and would even go to the extent of working abroad hundreds of miles away to earn more money and save up for them. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sacrifice a lot; that is why they are regarded as the modern day Filipino heroes. There are also times when the eldest among the children of the family would give up school to work and provide for the rest of the family and educate his or her siblings. Bayanihan Bayanihan is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos. It is also about giving without expecting something in return. Filipinos are always ready to share and help their friends and loved ones who are in need. It may not always be ni monetary form, but the time and effort they give also count as a form of help for them. This trait is particularly manifested in how Filipinos rally themselves to send aid to those who are severely affected by natural calamities. "Bahala Na" Attitude "Bahala na" is the Filipino version of the famous line "Hakuna Matata, meaning no worries. The phrase is said tohave originated from "Bathala na," where Bathala means God, and the phrase meaning leaving everything into God's hands. It can also be viewed as something similar to the cheerful and positive attitude of Filipinos and allowing situations take care of themselves instead of worrying about them. Colonial Mentality Colonial mentality is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude where Filipinos favor foreign products more than their own. This does not only concern goods, but also the desire to look more foreign than local and keep up with foreign beauty trends. It is attributed to the centuries of colonization Filipinos had experienced under the Spanish, American, and Japanese rule. "Mañana" Habit This is the Filipino term for procrastination. It was derived from a longer Filipino phrase called "Mamaya na" meaning dawdling things, which could have been done at an earlier time. It is a poor habit of laziness that results ni heavier workloads. "Ningas Kugon" "Ningas" is a Filipino term for flame and "Kugon" is a Filipino term for Cogon grass that easily burns out after ti is put into flames. Ningas kugon refers to the attitude of eagerly starting things but quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty, just like how fast the fire of a Cogon grass burns out moments after being ignited. Laziness is a common problem among Filipinos; that is why Filipinos are regarded as "Juan Tamad" or Lazy Juan. Pride Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are more precious than keeping a good relationship with family and loved ones. When two parties are not ni good terms, they find ti so hard to apologize and wait until the other party asks for an apology first. Grab Mentality This is a toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the achievement of another, instead of feeling happy for that person. Just like crabs ni a container, they pull each other down and ruin each other's reputation rather than bringing them up, resulting ot no progress. Filipinos should change this troublesome attitude and focus more on their own inadequacies to improve one's self. Filipino Time Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at commitments, dinner, or parties especially fi they are meeting someone close to them. They tend to not observe punctuality altogether. The 7:00 pm call time becomes adjusted to 7:30 pm, and almost everyone arrives at the same time because everyone is using Filipino time. Filipino Markers What then are the hallmarks of our being a Filipino? What makes us truly relish in our being a Filipino? The following are constant reminders of our nationality.  1. Proverbs or Salawikain Filipino proverbs, just like any other proverbs, are sayings that convey lessons and reflections on Filipino practices, beliefs, and traditions. Damiana Eugenio, regarded as the Mother of PhilippineFolklore, classified proverbs into six categories (Eugenio, 2000): a. proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and the laws that govern life; b. ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices; c. proverbs expressing a system of values; d. proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human nature; e. humorous proverbs; and f. miscellaneous proverbs. An example of a Filipino proverb is the saying "Kung may tyaga, may nilaga," which means that hard work wil be rewarded fi one is persistent. Superstitions Filipinos also subscribe to their own set of superstitions passed down from generation to generation. Some of these may be influenced by beliefs from other cultures, but Filipinos have retold these superstitions according to their own experiences and they sometimes end up even more interesting. According to a Filipino superstition, a woman singing while cooking wil end up a spinster so parents remind their daughters to avoid singing while preparing their meals. Filipinos also avoid taking picture in threes as the one in the center is said to die, according to another superstition 3. Myths and Legends Due to the Philippines's rich culture and history, numerous myths and legends have sprung about things that are beyond one's imagination. These stories are aimed to explain the origin of things, at the same time, teach a valuable lesson. Some of these stories stemmed in pre- Christianity period, but have evolved to the stories we know today. A famous Filipino legend is about the origin of the pineapple fruit. It is about a story of a young and lazy girl named Pina who always asked where her mother kept the things she needed without looking for them first. When Pina's mother got tired of being asked where she hid her things, her mother wished that eyes be planted on Pina's face so she would start using them. To her mother's surprise the next morning, Pina was gone and a fruit sprung ni the yard, implanted with "eyes" al around its body which was later called "pinya, "the Filipino term for"pineapple." 4. Heroes and Icons Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and nationalism as they have sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country's freedom and progress. Every year, we lend a whole day to celebrate our heroes, usually the last Monday of August, to remember their greatness, bravery, and resilience that has led to the freedom we know today. Famous Filipino icons such as Lea Salonga, Manny Pacquiao, and our very own national hero, Jose Rizal, also serve as important Filipino markers as they have made the Filipinoname more pronounced worldwide through their own expertise. How To Be A Good Filipino Now you know that your traits and values are important indicators of being a Filipino. The problem now is how to truly become one and howyou can be useful to the development and progress of our country. The following are a few ways on how to be a good Filipino: 1. Be an active Filipino citizen. Agood Filipino citizen is aware of the current events and participates in government programs that aim for the country's progression and development. By simply exercising your right to vote, you also become an active citizen. When ti comes to voting, the rich and the poor have equal voting rights- every Filipino citizen of legal age have a chance in choosing the right leaders for the Philippines who are genuine ni helping and caring for the Filipino people. 2. Study the Philippine history. The road of the Philippine history is long and bloody, and by learning and fully understanding the events of the Philippine history, you will learn so much as to why it is so important for you to love your country with your life, extend help to your fellow Filipinos ni need, and recognize abuse of political power. 3. Support local products. When you buy local products, you do not only support local manufacturers and businessmen, but you also help strengthen the local economy. How is this so? There wil be more demand of local products, thus, local businesses will be in need for more employees, which will open new job opportunities. The business owners will also invest within the country and are less likely to leave. Supporting our local products also displays our creativity, innovativeness, and resourcefulness. 4. Speak the Filipino language. The history of the Filipino language was as long and hard as the Philippine history. Jose Rizal highlighted the importance of speaking a national language as a way of displaying the love for one's country. Speaking Filipino also serves as a unique identifier of being a Filipino. It has been a decade-long debate whether to use Filipino as the instructional language ni school and to translate textbooks into Filipino, however, this is still not strictly imposed. 5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent. This period in the history of the Philippines has seen how the Internet has spawned tons of possibilities for people, both good and bad. For instance, ti is easier for Filipinos working abroad to communicate with their loved ones left in the Philippines through the Internet. Despite this, the Internet has also madethe spread of fake news very common. Likewise, the Internet has also made us engage in intense arguments with people across the globe about our political positions, for example. tI is a part of being a good Filipino to understand and verify what you read online, especially in social media, before actually believing in ti and spreading ti like wildfire. It is also the responsibility of every Filipino to recognize disagreement ni political views, be tolerant, and argue intelligently without having to resort into name-calling people. Lesson 5: Digital Self INTRODUCTION These days, more people are becoming active ni using the Internet for research, pleasure, business, communication, and other purposes. Indeed, the Internet is of great help for everyone. On the other hand, people assume different identities while in the cyberspace. People act differently when they are online and offline. We have our real identity and online identity. ABSTRACTION The number of people who are becoming more active online continues to increase worldwide. More than half of the population worldwide now uses the Internet. It has only been 25 years since Tim Berners-Lee made the World Wide Web available to the public, but in that time, the Internet has already become an integral part of everyday life for most of the world's population. The Philippines is among one of the countries with the most active Internet users (We are Social and Hootsuite n.d.). ⁃ Almost two-thirds of the world's population now has a mobile phone. ⁃ More than half of the world's web traffic now comes from mobile phones. ⁃ More than half of al mobile connections around the world are now "broadband." ⁃ More than one in five of the world's population shopped online in the past 30 days. Media users in the Philippines grew by 12 million or 25% while thenumber of mobile social users increased by 13 million or 32%. Those growth figures are still higher compared to the previous year. More than half the world now uses a smartphone. GLOBAL DIGITAL SNAPSHOT Figure.1 Growth of world digital users in 2016 compared to 2015. Based on Figure 1, the number of digital users worldwide increases. More people are becoming interested and devoted in using the Internet for various activities. In the Philippines, adolescents are among the most avid users of the Internet. ANNUAL GROWTH Figure 2. Percentage of mobile internet users from different age groups ni the Philippines. Online identity is actually the sum of all our characteristics and our interactions while partial identity is a subset of characteristics that make up our identity. Meanwhile, persona is the partial identity we create that represents ourselves in a specific situation. Selective Self-presentation and Impression Management According to Goffman (1959) and Leary (1995), self-presentation is the "process of controlling how one is perceived by other people" and is the key to relationship inception and development. To construct positive images, individuals selectively provide information about them and carefully cater this information in response to other's feedback. Anything posted online should be considered "public" no matter what our "privacy" settings are. Let us say, a student wrote online about how much he hated another student in school, and started bullying him online. Does ti matter fi the student said, "Well, this is my personal account"? Even fi the student wrote ti ni a "private" account, ti can become public with a quick screen capture and shared with the world. Personal identity is the interpersonal level of self which differentiates the individual as unique from others, while social identity is the level of self whereby the individual is identified by his or her group memberships. Belk (2013) explained that sharing ourselves is no longer new and has been practiced as soon as human beings were formed. Digital devices help us share information broadly, more than ever before. For those who are avid users of Facebook, it is possible that their social media friends are more updated about their daily activities, connections, and thoughts than their immediate families. Diaries that were once private or shared only with close friends are now posted as blogs which can be viewed by anyone. In websites like Flick or Photobucket, the use of arm's-length self-photography indicates amajor change. In older family albums, the photographer was not often represented in the album (Mendelson and Papacharissi 2011), whereas with arm's-length photos, they are necessarily included. (e.g., selfies and groupies). In addition, the family album of an earlier era has become more of an individual photo gallery in the digital age. As Schwarz (2010) mentioned, we have entered an extraordinary era of self-portraiture. Blogs and web pages have been continuously used for greater self-reflection and self-presentation. Facebook and other social media applications are now a key part of self-presentation for one sixth of humanity. As a result, researchers and participants become concerned with actively managing identity and reputation and ot warn against the phenomenon of "oversharing" (Labrecque, Markos, and Milne 2011; Shepherd 2005; Suler 2002; Zimmer and Hoffman 2011). Sometimes people become unaware of the extent of information they share online. They forget to delineate what can be shared online and what should not. Furthermore, it provides a more complete narration of self and gives people an idealized view of how they would like to be remembered by others (van Dick 2008). Many teenagers, as well as some adults, share even more intimate details with their partners like their passwords (Gershon 2010). This could be an ultimate act of intimacy and trust or the ultimate expression of paranoia and distrust with the partner. Because of the conversion of private diaries into public revelations of inner secrets, the lack of privacy in many aspects of social media make the users more vulnerable, leading to compulsively checking newsfeeds and continually adding tweets and postings in order to appear active and interesting. This condition has been called "fear of missing out." People would like to remain updated and they keep on sharing themselves online because it adds a sense of confidence at their end especially fi others like and share their posts. One of the reasons for somuch sharing and self-disclosure online is the so-called "disinhibition effect" (Ridley 2012; Suler 2004). The lack of face-to-face gaze-meeting, together with feelings of anonymity and invisibility, gives people the freedom for self-disclosure but can also "flame" others and may cause conflict sometimes. The resulting disinhibition causes people to believe that they are able to express their "true self" better online than they ever could in face-to-face contexts (Taylor 2002). However, ti does not mean that therei s a fixed "true self." The self is still a work in progress and we keep on improving and developing ourselvesevery single day. Seemingly self-revelation can be therapeutic to others especially fi it goes together with self-reflection (Morris et al. 2010). But ti does appear that we now do a large amount of our identity work online. When the Internet constantly asks us: "Who are you?" and "What do you have to share?", ti is up to us fi we are going to provide answers to such queries every time we use the Internet and to what extent are going to share details of ourselves to others. In addition to sharing the good things we experience, many of us also share the bad, embarrassing, and "sinful" things we experience. We also react and comment on negative experiences of others. Sometimes, we empathize with people. We also argue with others online. Relationships may be made stronger or broken through posts online. Blogs and social media are the primary digital fora on which such confessions occur, but they can also be found in photo- and video- sharing sites where blunders and bad moments are also preserved and shared (Strangelove 2011). Why confess to unseen and anonymous others online? In Foucault's (1978, 1998) view, confessing our secret truths feels freeing, even as it binds us in a guilt-motivated self-governance born of a long history of Christian and pre-Christian philosophies and power structures. According to Foucault (1998), confession, along with contemplation, self- examination, learning, reading, and writing self-critical letters to friends, are a part of the "technologies of the self" through which we seek to purge and cleanse ourselves. Despite the veil of invisibility, writers on the Internet write for an unseen audience (Serfaty 2004). Both the number and feedback of readers provide self- validation for the writer and a certain celebrity (O'Regan 2009). Confessional blogs may also be therapeutic for the audience to read, allowing both sincere empathy and the voyeuristic appeal of witnessing a public confession (Kitzmann 2003). Consequently, we should have a filtering system to whatever information we share online, as wel as to what information we believe in, which are being shared or posted by others online. We should look at online information carefully whether they are valid and true before believing and promoting them. In the same way, we should also think well before we post or share anything online in order to prevent conflict, arguments, and cyberbullying, and to preserve our relationships with others. Gender and Sexuality Online According to Marwick (2013), while the terms "sex," "gender," and "sexuality" are often thought of as synonymous, they are actually quite distinct. The differences between the common understandings of these terms and how researchers think about them yield key insights about the social functioning of gender. Sex is the biological state that corresponds to what we might call a "man" or a "woman." This might seem to be a simple distinction, but the biology of sex is actually very complicated. While "sex" is often explained as biological, fixed, and immutable, ti is actually socially constructed (West and Zimmerman 1987). Gender, then, is the social understanding of how sex should be experienced and how sex manifests in behavior, personality, preferences, capabilities, and so forth. Aperson with male sex organs is expected to embody a masculine gender. While sex and gender are presumed to be biologically connected, we can understand gender as a socioculturally specific set of norms that are mapped onto a category of "sex" (Kessler and McKenna 1978; Lorber 1994). Gender is historical. It is produced by media and popular culture (Gauntlett 2008; van Zoonen 1994). It is taught by families, schools, peer groups, and nation states (Goffman 1977). It is reinforced through songs, sayings, admonition, slang, language, fashion, and discourse (Cameron 1998; Cameron and Kulick 2003), and ti is deeply ingrained. Gender is a system of classification that values male-gendered things more than female related things. This system plays out on the bodies of men and women, and in constructing hierarchies of everything from colors (e.g., pink vs. blue) to academic departments (e.g., English vs. Math) to electronic gadgets and websites. Given this inequality, the universalized "male" body and experience is often constructed as average or normal, while female-gendered experiences are conceptualized as variations from the norm (Goffman 1977). Sexuality is an individual expression and understanding of desire. While like gender, this is often viewed as binary (homosexual or heterosexual), in reality, sexuality is often experienced as fluid. Performing Gender Online Theorist Judith Butler (1990) conceptualized gender as a performance. She explained that popular understandings of gender and sexuality came to be through discourse and social processes. She argued that gender was performative, in that ti is produced through millions of individual actions, rather than something that comes naturally to men and women. Performances that adhere to normative understandings of gender and sexuality are allowed, while those that do not are admonished (for example, a boy "throwing like a girl") (Lorber 1994). In the 1990s, many Internet scholars drew from Butler and other queer theorists to understand online identity. According to the disembodiment hypothesis, Internet users are free to actively choose which gender or sexuality they are going to portray with the possibility of creating alternate identities (Wynn and Katz 1997). The ability of users to self-consciously adapt and play with different gender identities would reveal the choices involved ni the production of gender, breaking down binaries and encouraging fluidity in sexuality and gender expression. Recently, social media has been celebrated for facilitating greater cultural participation and creativity. Social media sites like Twitter and YouTube have led to the emergence of a "free culture" where individuals are empowered to engage in cultural production using raw materials, ranging from homemade videos to mainstream television characters to create new culture, memes, and humor. At its best, this culture of memes, mash-ups, and creative political activism allows for civic engagement and fun creative acts. While Digg, 4chan, and Reddit are used mostly by men, most social network site users are women; this is true in Facebook, Flickr, LiveJournal, Tumblr, Twiter, and YouTube (Chappell 2011; Lenhart 2009; Lenhart et al. 2010). But mere equality of use does not indicate equality of participation. While both men and women use Wikipedia, 87% of Wikipedia contributors were identified as male (LaVallee 2009). Male students are more likely to create, edit, and distribute digital video over YouTube or Facebook than female students. However, the Pew Internet and American Life Project found no discernible differences in user-generated content by gender except remixing, which was most likely among teen girls (Lenhart et al. 2010). One explanation for these differences is that user-generated content is often clustered by gender. Researchers have consistently shown that similar numbers of men and women maintain a blog_ -about 14% of Internet users (Lenhart et al. 2010). While the number of male and female bloggers is roughly equivalent, they tend to blog about different things. Overwhelmingly, certain types of blogs are written and read by women (e.g., food, fashion, parenting), while others (e.g., technology, politics) are written and run by men (Chittenden 2010; Hindman 2009; Meraz 2008). Although the technologies are the same, the norms and mores of the people using them differ. Setting Boundaries To Your Online Self: Smart Sharing The following guidelines will help you share information online in a smart way that will protect yourself and not harm others. Before posting or sharing anything online, consider the following. ⁃ Is this post/story necessary? ⁃ Is there a real benefit to this post? Is. it funny, warm-hearted, teachable-or am Ijust making noise online without purpose? ⁃ Have we (as a family or parent/child) resolved this issue? An issue that is still being worked out at home, or one that is either vulnerable or highly emotional, should not be made public. ⁃ Is it appropriate? Does it stay within the boundaries of our family values? ⁃ Will this seem as funny in 5, 10, or 15 years? Or is this post better suited for sharing with a small group of family members? Or maybe not at all Rules to Follow Here are additional guidelines for proper sharing of information and ethical use of the Internet according to New (2014): ⁃ Stick to safer sites. ⁃ Guard your passwords. ⁃ Limit what you share. ⁃ Remember that anything you put online or post on a site is there forever, even fi you try to delete it. ⁃ Do not be mean or embarrass other people online. ⁃ Always tell fi you see strange or bad behavior online. ⁃ Be choosy about your online friends. ⁃ Be patient..