Perspectives on Sexuality Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Sexual Intelligence Four components of sexual intelligence Understanding self Having interpersonal sexual skills and integrity Obtaining accurate scientific knowledge Having consideration of the cultural context
Sexual intelligence abilities help us make responsible decisions in sexual behavior Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. A Psychosocial Orientation Psychosocial approach: combination of psychological and social factors Psychological factors: emotions, attitudes, motivations Social conditioning factors: process with which we
learn our social norms Biological factors: hormones, nervous system, genetics, etc. Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Activity Make a list of all the places/sources where you got information about sex when you were growing up. Then make a separate list about other sources you wish you had.
Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Controversy and Diversity in Human Sexuality The United States Many factors contribute to diverse sexual attitudes and behaviors in the United States
Many ethnic and religious groups Wide range of values Varying degrees of education and socioeconomic status Intergroup differences Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Diversity in the United States
Acculturation: cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from those of the dominant culture. Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Our Cultural Legacy: Sex for Procreation and Rigid Gender Roles Sex for procreation Anything other than a penis in a vagina is not sex. Merriam- Webster.com Defintion of sexual intercourse:
heterosexual intercourse involving penetration of the vagina by the penis : coitus. intercourse (such as anal or oral intercourse) that does not involve penetration of the vagina by the penis. Dictionary.com definition of sexual intercourse: Genital contact, especially the insertion of the penis into the vagina followed by orgasm; coitus; copulation. Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
Our Cultural Legacy: Sex for Procreation and Rigid Gender Roles Activity on Gender Roles Male and female gender roles Rigid gender-role conditioning can limit each persons potential and can harm their sexuality Slut Walk Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Sexuality in the Western World:
A Historical Perspective Christianity Spirituality through celibacy Sex outside of marriage as sinful Contradictory images of women emerged Virgin Mary: compassionate, pure, and unattainable Eve: evil temptress Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Sexuality in the Western World:
A Historical Perspective (contd.) A sex-positive shift Protestant reformation Valued sex in marriage Enlightenment; scientific rationalism Value of sex in marriage goes beyond procreation Increased respect for women Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
The Victorian Era Major themes Womens role polarized between images of Madonna and Eve Distance between husband and wife Intensely passionate friendships sometimes developed between women Prostitution flourished Moshers research contradicts prevailing view Victorian women experienced sexual desire, enjoyed
intercourse, and experienced orgasm Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Slavery Slaves had no right to privacy Jezebel: A treacherous Seductress Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 20th Century Sexuality WWI: The beginning of the 20th century
19th amendment gave women the right to vote. Great Depression led to more restrained behavior After World War II Postwar retreat into traditional gender roles Men returned to the workplace Women devoted themselves to their homes, children, and husbands Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 20th Century Sexuality (contd.)
The times they are a-changin 1960s and 1970s sexual revolutionconfronted the norms of previous decades Numerous contraceptives introduced Attitudes begin to change toward homosexuality Gays and lesbians began to openly declare their sexual orientation Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
The Media and Sexuality Television Increased sexual content Music videos Overt and explicit sexual content Advertising Subtle and blatant content Magazines
Content may promote stereotypical gender roles, body-image insecurity, superficiality, etc. Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Broken Taboos Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Activities 1. List one to three sexual behaviors
practiced in other cultures that would be "acceptable" to you (e.g., monogamy, premarital sex, kissing, using contraceptives), and one to three sexual behaviors that would be "unacceptable" to you (e.g., polygamy, sex with children). Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Ethnocentrism
Evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture. Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. The Internet and Sexuality Potentially epic impact on sexual attitudes Almost 2.8 billion Internet users worldwide Social networking: Facebook
Sexually explicit self-expression: fantasies, adult interactive games, etc. Availability on handheld devices (e.g., PDAs, iPods, tablets, PSP, cell phones, etc.) Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Sexuality: Where the Personal is Political The personal and political are truly merged when it comes to sexuality
Impact of social norms Increased freedoms and responsibilities today Controversies regarding social policies, laws, and ethics Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Summary Sexual intelligence involves understanding oneself sexually and having interpersonal sexual skills and integrity
Abilities help make responsible decisions about sexual behavior based on values 20th century changes led to contemporary individuals increased ability to make personal sexuality decisions Scientific, psychological, and social Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
