Download Chapter 6, Our Sexual Selves

Chapter 6
Our Sexual Selves
Chapter Outline
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Sexual Development and Orientation
Theoretical Perspectives on Human
Sexuality
Negotiating (Hetero)sexual Expression
Sexuality Throughout Marriage
Chapter Outline
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Sex as a Pleasure Bond
Sexual Expression, HIV/AIDS and Other
Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Platform and Pulpit
Sexual Responsibility
Mean Child Sexual Behavior
Index Scores
Sexual Orientation
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Sexual orientation refers to whether an
individual is drawn to a partner of the
same sex or the opposite sex.
Heterosexuals are attracted to oppositesex partners and homosexuals to samesex partners.
Bisexuals are attracted to people of both
sexes.
Theoretical Perspectives on
Human Sexuality
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Exchange Perspective -satisfaction
depends on the costs and rewards of a
sexual relationships
Interactionist Perspective - men and
women are influenced by the sexual
scripts they learn from society
Early America: Patriarchal
Sex
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Sex is valued for procreative potential.
Characterized by beliefs, values, attitudes
and behaviors developed to protect the
male line of descent.
Men are thought to be born with an urgent
sex drive, while women are naturally
passive.
Twentieth Century:
Expressive Sexuality
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Sexuality is basic to the humanness of
both men and women
Sex is not only for procreation but is an
important means of enhancing human
intimacy
1960’s: Sexual Revolution
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Birth control pill became widely available
Laws regarding sexuality became more
liberal.
People’s attitudes and behavior regarding
sex became radically more permissive.
The 1980s and 1990s:
Challenges to Heterosexism
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Americans are more likely to approve of
civil rights protections for gays and
lesbians.
Publics attitude toward homosexuality has
become more favorable.
Sexual Experience of High
School Students, 2003
Percentage who. . . .
“Ever had Sexual
intercourse”
“are currently
sexually active”
Ethnicity
Males
Females
Males
Females
White
41%
43%
29%
33%
Black
74%
61%
54%
44%
Hispanic
57%
46%
39%
36%
Stages of “Coming Out”
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Sensitization - future homosexuals feel
sexually marginal, have experiences that
sensitize them to subsequent definitions
of themselves as lesbian or gay.
Identity confusion -inner turmoil and
uncertainty.
Stages of “Coming Out”
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Identity assumption - develop a selfidentity and a presented identity as
homosexual.
Commitment - accept homosexuality as
a way of life.
21st Century:
Risk, Caution and Intimacy
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More health risks in sexual encounters.
Relationships between the sexes are
more egalitarian.
Four Standards of
Non-marital Sex
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Abstinence - Intercourse outside of
marriage is always wrong.
Permissiveness with affection Intercourse outside of marriage is
permitted for men and women in stable,
affectionate relationships.
Four Standards of Nonmarital Sex
3.
4.
Permissiveness without affection Intercourse is allowed regardless of the
stability or affection in the relationship.
Double standard - Women's sexual
behavior must be more conservative
than men’s.
Frequency of Sex Last Month
by Age and Marital Status
Sexual Satisfaction
and Self-Esteem
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People with low self-esteem may turn off
their erotic feelings because they feel they
don’t deserve them.
Healthy self-esteem allows people to
acknowledge and accept heir own tastes
and preferences.
Sexual Satisfaction
and Self-Esteem
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Self-esteem provides the freedom to
search for new pleasures.
Self-esteem lets people ask their partner
to help satisfy their preferences.
Self-esteem makes it possible to engage
in pleasuring.
Elements in Sexual
Satisfaction
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Self-esteem
Transcending gender stereotypes
Cooperation and communication
Who Has HIV/AIDS?
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About 400,000 people in the U.S. live with
AIDS:
 42% black
 37% white
 20% Hispanic
 1% each Asian/Pacific Islander and
Native American/Alaska Native
Who Has HIV/AIDS?
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The cumulative total of AIDS cases reported
through 2002 is 885,686, with more than 40,000
new cases diagnosed each year.
More than 850,000 people in the United States
are infected with HIV, the largest number since
the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.
Rate of AIDS Cases Reported,
2002
Politics and Sex Education
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Research indicates that sex education
does not lead to early sexual activity.
Over 80% of parents support teaching
about birth control and 76% want sex
education to cover sexual orientation
23% of school districts require teaching
abstinence only.
Sexual Responsibility
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Prevention of pregnancy.
Prevention of sexual transmitted diseases.
Communication with partners and potential
sexual partners and being honest with their
motives for wanting to have sex.
Responsibility to oneself to make decisions
according to one’s own values.
Quick Quiz
1. Which of the following does NOT relate
to sexual orientation?
a) transsexual
b) homosexual
c) heterosexual
d) bisexual
Answer: a
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Transsexual does NOT relate to sexual
orientation.
2. The text points out that recently, the
American public’s attitudes toward
homosexuality have
a) not changed from the previous
three decades.
b) become even more unfavorable.
c) become more favorable.
d) continued to fluctuate.
Answer: c
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The text points out that recently, the
American public’s attitudes toward
homosexuality have become more
favorable.
3. Which of the following is NOT a sexually
transmitted disease (STD)?
a) herpes simplex
b) genital herpes
c) chlamydia
d) human papilloma virus
Answer: a
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Herpes simplex is NOT a sexually
transmitted disease (STD)?
4. The text addresses four principles of sexual
responsibility that may serve as guidelines for
sexual decision making. Which of the
following is NOT one of these?
a) the possibility of pregnancy
b) the possibility of contracting sexual
transmitted diseases or transmitting
them to someone else
c) the possibility of emotional harm to one’s
sexual partner
d) communicating with partners or potential
sexual partners
Answer: c
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The text addresses four principles of
sexual responsibility that may serve as
guidelines for sexual decision making.
The possibility of emotional harm to
one’s sexual partner is NOT one of
these.