Chapter 1
Perspectives on Sexuality
Controversy and Diversity in Human Sexuality
Sexual Intelligence
Four components of sexual intelligence:
Understanding self
Having interpersonal sexual skills and integrity
Obtaining accurate scientific sexual knowledge
Having consideration of the cultural context of sexuality
Increasing sexual intelligence will allow for responsible decisions in sexual
behavior
Diversity in the United States
Studying Sexuality:
From A Psychosocial Orientation
- A Psychosocial Orientation takes into account:
- Psychological factors
- Emotions, attitudes, motivations
- Social conditioning factors
- Process which we learn our social norms
- Biological factors
- Hormones, nervous system, genetics, etc.
CrossCultural Perspectives
Islamic Middle East
- Based on beliefs of Muhammad
- Belief that sex should be enjoyed by both sexes
- Women viewed inherently more sexual than men (this power contained by
veils, segregation, female circumcision)
- Oppression of women and many sexually related restrictions stem from
patriarchal cultural traditions and fundamentalist sects, not from religion
and the teaching of the Qur’an
CrossCultural Perspectives
China
Sexual conservatism with communist rule (1949)
Lack of basic information about sexuality
Sex outside of marriage and frequent sex within marriage discouraged
Almost no STDS
Current trends
increasing rates of premarital sex
increasing STDs
slightly more open to homosexuality
still lack sexual knowledge and safesex skills
Our Cultural Legacy
Two Themes
Sex for Procreation
Definition of sex and intercourse used synonymously
- Male and Female Gender Roles
Sexuality in the Western World
JudeoChristian Perspective
Ancient Hebrews
Gender roles highly specialized
Sex within marriage a necessity
Christianity
Spirituality through celibacy
Sex outside of marriage as sinful
Contradictory images of women emerged
- Virgin Mary: compassionate, pure, & unattainable
- Eve: evil temptress
Positive Shift in Thinking
Protestant Reformation
Enlightenment; scientific rationalism
Temporary increase in respect for women
Value of sex in marriage, goes beyond procreation
Sexual Attitudes
Victorian Era
- Women’s role constrained; women as asexual
- Emotional & physical distance between husband and wife
- Prostitution flourished
- Continued polarized view of women as Madonna or whore
- Mosher’s research contradicts prevailing view:
- Victorian women experienced sexual desire, enjoyed intercourse, and
experienced orgasm
20th Century Sexuality
Social Movements:
suffrage movement
temperance movement
civil rights movement
lesbian & gay movement
Obama’s acceptance speech "gays and straights"
World War II:
Roles were expanded & more flexible
Postwar return to stricter roles
The Media and Sexuality
Television
News, advice, and educational programs
Increased access to sexual material
Percentages of sexual content
Cable and music videos
Video games
Determining of social norms
Advertising
Sexual Taboos and Television
Cyberspace and Sexuality
- 1.5 billion Internet users worldwide
- 80% of people obtain health information from Internet
- Source of sexual expression
- MySpace, Facebook, Twitter
- Availability on hand held devices
PDA, iPod, Cell phones
Sexuality
Where the Personal is Political
- Impact of social norms
- Freedoms and responsibilities today
- Controversies facing human sexuality
Supplemental Material
Chapter One PowerPoint
Chapter One PDF Handout
Don't forget to take the quiz and to go to the discussion group to
answer the discussion question.
All students must also fill out and complete the syllabus during this
lesson's timeframe.
