Studying Human Sexuality
A Place to Start. . .
Our Sexuality involves a core dimension of our being. If we define it too
narrowly, we risk losing a vital element of our existence. It certainly
involves the act of sex, and yet sex involves so much more than physiology
(while this is an essential element). It involves our gender and all the
shaping, molding, and socialization we all have received about what it means to
be a man or a woman. Beyond this our own sexuality identity, how we define
ourselves, is involved. And of course our sexuality can be both exciting
and painful, depending upon a lifetime of variables we have encountered along
our path. Our sexual orientation is an essential ingredient, which
includes the powerful issue of love and how we attach to others. Then
also, procreation and reproduction are vital elements for our own personal
journey and for the human race.
Chapter 1 Lecture Notes
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Any study of Human Sexuality requires a factual, comprehensive understanding of
the human body. The study of the human male and female body challenges us
to look at the reproductive functions of both sexes while at the same time
understanding the physiology of each body part that often is filled with
sensitive nerve endings that lead to increased sensitivity to touch and
stimulation. We begin with a basic understanding of male and female sexual
anatomy and physiology. Personally it is essential we all take responsibility
for our own health, which includes gynecological
visits for women, breast self-exams for women and men, and testicular
self-exams for men.
Chapter 2A Lecture Notes
Chapter 2B Lecture Notes
Sample Exercise for Disorders of the Sexual Organs
Correct Answers
Sexual Arousal and Response
What is sexually arousing to
us as human beings depends upon a variety of factors. What is sexually
stimulating to one person may be a complete turn off to the next. Our
bodies (particularly our senses) respond to a variety of stimuli. Yet our brain
interprets the messages we receive and much of our response involves hormones
and chemical changes in the body. In this section we address the
biological responses and the research of key professionals that give us a wealth
of information about how men and women respond to a variety of sexual stimuli.
Chapter 3A Lecture Notes
Chapter 3B Lecture Notes
Sexual Dysfunctions and Therapies
There are certainly few (if any) areas of our lives that can be more disappointing and unfulfilling than when we are not able to function sexually. The personal and interpersonal can be significant as our self esteem erodes. Yet most people think that our bodies should just function and therefore have little understanding of the complexity when they don't. Furthermore, the difficulties can originate from various sources. And if this is not complex enough, the difficulty may appear and then seemingly go away only to surface at a time we want our bodies to be most responsive. Therefore it is important to understand the various physiological, psychological, social, chemical, and environmental factors that contribute to healthy sexual functioning. We also will explore the various categories of sexual dysfunctions and the difference between primary and secondary conditions. Then solutions are explored involving the various types of therapies and how to find reliable resources.
Conception and Pregnancy
There may be no greater joy than the process of new life being formed. Most of us grow up thinking little about whether our bodies will be able to produce new life. Yet for some (15-18%) they are not able to conceive and bring a child full term to a live birth (after trying for a year). For those who experience infertility, the struggle to create life can be an all consuming process filled with disappointment and (hopefully) the joy of parenting a child. For the vast majority of humanity, this process of conception, pregnancy and birth continue on much as it has from the beginning of humanity. In this section we look in depth at the process of sperm and egg cells transforming into human life. Then we address particular concerns of health related to parents and child and other issues during this time of development.
Contraception and Abortion
These two practices that reduce birth rates have been around for a very long
time. It is important to know the history of these practices and how the
United States, and our emphasis upon technology and innovation, have influenced
these practices. Who would have thought that the search for a synthetic
rubber for industry would have had such a profound impact upon male and female
sexuality.
There are five basic categories of
contraceptives you can choose from today. Knowing what they are, their
effectiveness and risks, makes you a more responsible adult. Of course there are
failure rates and the populations with the highest rates need to be
understood. Why do you think this occurs and what can be done to change
this? There is a constant drive to discover new technologies for
contraception and in the text twelve developments for women and eight for men
are presented.
There are few topics that bring as
much energy as abortion. Learn about the medical and surgical procedures,
recent advances and common risks to make more informed decisions about your
health.
Finally, compare
your opinions with your classmates on these critical issues regarding sexual
health.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Because our day to day health, fulfillment of sexuality, and life itself are at issue with sexually transmitted infections, this serious side of sexuality may be the most important issue when addressing the concern of being informed. Being sexually informed and taking responsibility for our sexuality is critical when addressing these diseases. Parasites, bacteria, and viruses all act differently. Prevention is always the best cure, because with some of these there is no cure at all. Finally these concerns are significantly personal as they directly impact our health, but they are social as well as we attempt to create quality of life for all human beings.
Social Control of Sexuality
If a society placed no controls on sexuality it soon would find that it did not effectively ensure healthy offspring to continue the society. But social control involves so much more. Who should participate in sexual activity, what sexual activities they should engage in, when they should participate in these activities, where these should occur, and why these controls should exist are questions each society addresses. However, while most of us understand the need for some control, we often have very different opinions about how much control society really should have over its members. In this chapter these issues are addressed for you to challenge your own thinking.
Sex Across the Life Span
Society continually reinforces that we are sexual beings during adolescence and
early adulthood. Yet there are often no messages regarding our sexuality
as infants and young children (unless you consider the tragic concerns of abuse
in children). Yet it needs to be reinforced that by being human beings we
possess our sexuality from the time of our birth (actually in utero) until the
time we die. Myths are also perpetuated about the sexual unhappiness of
middle aged adults, and the elderly are seen as not sexual at all.
In this chapter we explore the issues of sexuality from birth
through old age.
Sex and Gender
No topic may stimulate more debate than the origins of male and female behaviors manifested in society. Are they learned? Are they innate biological manifestations? We know the differences that occur to a developing fetus as a result being exposed to different levels of hormones. Yet as a child is born it is constantly being influenced by the nature and nurture elements. Society has its own script describing how males and females should think and act. In this chapter we also explore the challenges faced when a person's gender identity is different than biological anatomy.
Sexual Orientation
Few topics involving human sexuality involve more passion and opinions than sexual orientation. There are different theories explaining why we have the erotic, romantic, and emotional attractions we do to other people. And this attraction (orientation) is a different issue than how we define ourselves as male or female (gender identity). Certainly some of the most difficult challenges in life involve the challenges of living a lifestyle that society does not condone. Therefore in this chapter we address the courage and difficulty it takes to come out.
Consensual Sexual Behavior
People should be able to choose the behaviors they participate in. Therefore consensual behaviors involve those that people choose to engage in sometimes by themselves with no partner and sometimes with another partner who chooses the particular behavior. Of course society gives messages about what behaviors are acceptable and those that are not. In this chapter we look at five different categories of behaviors (including choosing to not be sexual which is an expression of sexuality) that range in acceptance among society (including chosen behaviors that are less or very uncommon in society).
Sexual Coercion
As stated in Chapter 12, people should be able to choose the behaviors they participate in. That is why sexual coercion, a range of behaviors where one party is not consenting to the behavior, causes such emotional and physical damage. Historically society has, at times, condoned (or at least not created behavioral consequences to) nonconsenting sexual behaviors. These do not involve physical contact or verbal coercion. Verbal sexual coercion involves the use of words to influence or force an individual into unwanted sexual behaviors. Forcible sex (rape and child abuse) involve some of the greatest social and psychological damages in our society. Choice is a powerful freedom of humanity and unfortunately in these behaviors a person's choice is taken from them.
The Business of Sex
Sex sells. And where there is a commodity in demand then there will be a price established for it. What becomes of concern is the issue of choice. Have the people involved had free choice to participate? Therefore issues like child pornography create major social and psychological problems and as a result our society establishes laws to forbid it. And while there are many laws to prohibit sexual behaviors such as prostitution, pornography is legal in our country. The challenge with pornography (in addition to the issue of free speech) is that what may be pornographic to one person may be art to the next. In this chapter we explore these issues as they relate to the business of sex.
Sex and Love
As social beings we need love. Early in life we attach to those people willing to care for us and nurture us along life's journey. As we become of age most of us take the stage to learn about love, romance, gender...and sex. In this chapter we look at the different types of love, what components are needed to have a fulfilling relationship over time, and how can two people find ways to have a mutually fulfilling sex life. In these types of relationships it is very common for the sex life of a couple to reflect the overall health of the relationship.
Sex and Heartache
While experiencing sex in a loving relationship can be extremely fulfilling, this leaves us tremendously vulnerable to hurt is the loving changes or stops. Wanting to give and receive love and fulfilling sex, and not be able to do so, creates heartache, anger, loneliness, and many more emotions. In this chapter we look at the emptiness that can occur when people are bitterly disappointed in love and sex. The anxieties and loss of self-esteem that can occur can create sexual difficulties in future relationships.
Sexuality, Spirituality, and Religious Traditions
You might wonder how could human sexuality and religious thought even be related. Yet since spirituality is concerned about our wellness (specifically the non-physical elements of our being) it really has a lot to say about sexuality. Our morals, values, and ethics are guided, in part, by the culture at large. And since all cultures are impacted by religious thought, our sexual morals, values, and ethics have, at least in part, been shaped by spiritual and religious influences (whether we practice a religion or not). In this chapter we look at some of the religious beliefs about human sexuality from the great religions of the world.
Sexual Politics and Legal Issues
Sexual Politics and Legal Issues involve the decision-making processes of drafting and promoting legislation and voting on it. The attitudes and values of a very diverse (U.S.) culture are in a constant process of evaluation and change. To understand the politics of sexuality is to understand the people that live within that culture. Today, issues we face involving scientific sex research and reproductive rights very much reflect the concerns of the culture as we see certain laws passed while others are denied.
Sexuality Education
Learning about our sexuality begins early in life. Sex Education has commonly been associated with school-based learning. What to formally teach children about sexuality and who should teach it creates heated discussion and debate. Parents believe it is their responsibility to teach the formal elements of sex education, yet for the most part they do not do so for a variety of reasons. There are different approaches to what is taught in schools. While there remains strong opinions about what should, or should not, be taught in schools, research confirms that students that receive sex education in the classroom (regardless of the curriculum), feel better prepared to face challenging decisions about their sexuality than those who received none.
Defining Responsibility in a Changing World
To be responsible involves making wise decisions. Therefore it is important to know our self in order to make these decisions for sexual health. Our values, morals, and ethics all factor in to our decision making. We are influenced to make our decisions from a variety of sources. Understanding our self and those around us can help us to make the best decisions for our sexual well-being.