Chapter 1 Why a course in human sexuality

Chapter 1 Why a course in human sexuality? For use with the text, Human Sexuality Today, 5 th edition. Bruce M. King Slides by Callista Lee 1 King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Sexuality is more than just “sex” l l l l 2 Sexual attitudes, feelings and beliefs Gender identity Sexual behaviors, alone or partnered Capacity for erotic response Sexual orientation and attractions Cultural definitions of masculinity/femininity Social expectations and gender roles King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Learning about sexuality l l 3 36% of teens learned “a lot” from their parents. 74% of teens cite friends and TV as their major source of information. TV rarely models examples of preventive behaviors regarding unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The majority of parents support sex education in public high schools and even junior highs. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Consequences of sexual ignorance l l 4 60% of US teens have had sexual intercourse by the time they finish high school. False beliefs about sexual behaviors and sexual health are common. 860, 000 pregnancies in US teens aged 15 -19 each year – a rate much higher than other modern nations. Most young people do not know the symptoms of STIs. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Personal Reflections l l l 5 From whom or what did you acquire most of your information about sexuality? Was this part of your preparation for adulthood adequate? Why/why not? From whom or what would you hope your children will learn about sexuality? King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True or False? What you know and what you think you know. l l l 6 Erections in men result, in part, from a bone that protrudes into the penis. Sperm can be produced only in an environment several degrees lower than normal body temperature. The hymen is a reliable indicator of whether or not a woman is a virgin. The inner two thirds of the vagina is highly sensitive to touch. Many men experience nipple erection when they become sexually aroused. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True or False? l l l 7 Continued, items 6 - 10 Most men and women are capable of multiple orgasms. Breast size in women is related to the number of mammary glands. Before puberty, boys can reach orgasm, but they do not ejaculate. During sexual intercourse, orgasm in women results from direct stimulation of the clitoris by the penis. Menstrual discharge consists of sloughed off uterine tissue, blood, and cervical mucus. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True of False? l l l 8 Continued, items 11 - 15 For hygiene reasons, you should avoid sex during menstruation. Ovulation generally occurs just before menstruation. After a vasectomy, a man can reach orgasm but does not ejaculate. AIDS is the diagnosis for people who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A girl can get pregnant as soon as she starts having menstrual periods. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True or False? Continued, items 16 - 20 l l l 9 The combination birth control pill works primarily by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg. Taking the oral contraceptive pill results in fewer serious health problems than do pregnancy and childbirth. Women show their highest levels of sexual desire at the time of ovulation. There about 12 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases in the US each year. The major cause of AIDS is homosexuality. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True or False? Continued, items 21 - 25 l l l 10 If gonorrhea is not treated, it can sometimes turn into syphilis. Most women do not show symptoms in the early stages of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes can be successfully treated with antibiotics. In vitro fertilization involves a process where part of fetal development occurs in a test tube. It is usually safe to have sexual intercourse during the 7 th and 8 th months of pregnancy. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True or False? Continued, items 26 - 30 l l l 11 “Prepared childbirth” (e. g. , Lamaze) refers to delivering a baby without drugs. Most healthy people in their 60’s or older continue to engage in sexual behavior. Men’s descriptions of orgasm are different from women’s descriptions of orgasm. Excessive masturbation cause serious medical problems. The birth control pill gives women some protection against sexually transmitted diseases. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True or False? Continued, items 31 - 35 l l l 12 Women who masturbated to orgasm during adolescence generally have less difficulty reaching orgasm during intercourse than women who never masturbated. The frequency of sexual relations is highest for married couples aged 25 to 35. Adult male homosexuals have lower than normal levels of male hormones. Douching is an effective method of birth control. Recent evidence indicates that environmental factors are most important in determining one’s sexual King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall orientation.

True or False? Continued, items 36 - 40 l l l 13 Prostitutes are generally hypersexual and have pathological sexual needs. Most convicted rapists committed their crimes because of an uncontrollable sexual drive. There is a demonstrated link between the availability of pornography and sex crimes. It is against the law in many states for a married couple to engage in sexual behaviors other than penile-vaginal intercourse. Most cases of child molestation involve an acquaintance or relative of the child. 13 King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True or False? Continued, items 41 - 45 l l l 14 A pregnant woman can transmit syphilis to the unborn baby. Exhibitionists and voyeurs often attempt to rape their victims. Nocturnal emissions (“wet dreams”) are often an indication of a sexual problem. Alcohol is a central nervous system excitant that enhances sexual performance. Humans can crossbreed with animals with the use of artificial insemination techniques. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

True or False? Continued, items 46 - 50 l l l 15 Women’s sexual desire decreases sharply after menopause. Vaginal infections can be prevented by regular use of feminine hygiene products. A woman’s ability to have vaginal orgasms is related to penis size. Oral herpes can be transmitted to another person’s genitals by oral-genital sexual relations. Unless testosterone is present during embryonic development, nature has programmed everyone to be born a girl. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Cross-Cultural Comparisons l l l 16 “Missionary Position” – face-to-face with man on top. Christian missionaries taught that other positions were unnatural. Ethnocentric – the attitude that behaviors and customs of one’s own ethnic group or culture are superior to others. To strangers, OUR behavior appears strange…it is all a matter of perspective. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Sexual Attractiveness l l l 17 Abkhazian men are aroused by seeing women’s armpits. Samoans consider the navel arousing. Knees are erotic in New Guinea but women’s breasts are not of sexual significance. Polynesian men are fascinated with the size, shape and consistency of female genitalia. Penis piercing is “old-school” in Borneo. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Fit or Fat? Time and culture will tell l 18 Rubens’ The Three Graces, painted in 1630, epitomized feminine beauty in a time when a thin woman would have been considered unattractive. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Sexual behavior and attitudes l l l 19 Kissing seems essential to us but not by the Japanese, Hindus of India or several groups in Africa and South America. Some Polynesian cultures encourage teenagers to enjoy sexual pleasure with a variety of partners; love comes later in life. Oral-genital sex is common in Western cultures but considered disgusting in many African cultures. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Two extremes and a twist l l l 20 “Inis Baeg, ” an Irish island culture is the most restrictive in the world – no foreplay, no nudity, no emphasis on pleasure. South Pacific Mangaians are perhaps the most permissive – many partners in adolescence, adults teach young people sexual techniques to please their partners. Eastern Tantric cultures emphasize the value of a spiritual union during sex. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Diversity within the United States l l l 21 Oral-genital sex less common among African. Americans than European-Americans, and less common among all ethnicities at lower education and income groups. Asian-Americans tend to be the least sexually permissive compared to other US groups. Acculturation, education and income levels determine many differences. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Historical Perspectives l Ancient Judaism – – – 22 Obligation for procreation Legitimizing one’s offspring (property rights) Sexual pleasure and emotional bonding in marriage Physical and spiritual love on equal footing Human bodies are made in God’s image and are therefore not a source of shame King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Historical Perspectives l Ancient Greeks and Romans – – – 23 Procreation was the primary purpose of marriage Sex outside of marriage was allowed Bisexuality was accepted as normal Dualism between physical beauty and mental/spiritual development Dualism gave rise to asceticism and platonic love King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

History: Sex, temptation, and sin l Early Christians – – 24 St. Paul – the inherently sinful body must be controlled by the superior intellect. Spiritually, a celibate life is superior to monogamous marriage. St. Jerome – too much passion, even in marriage, is sinful. St. Augustine – “Between urine and feces we are born. ” St. Thomas Aquinas – sex for purposes other than procreation is sinful King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

History: Protestant Reformation l l l 25 16 th Century religious leaders Martin Luther and John Calvin opposed the Catholic Church’s insistence that priests be celibate. The Puritans brought a more positive view of married sexuality to the “New World. ” Adultery, homosexuality and masturbation were still severely punished. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

History: Victorian Era l l 26 No longer seen as temptresses, women were believed to be without sexual desire. Physicians taught that masturbation could lead to a vast range of physical and mental ills. Psychiatrists (Richard von Kraft-Ebing) also focused on a link between sex and disease. Kellogg and Graham developed foods thought to decrease sexual desire. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Victorian anti-masturbation devices 27 King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

History: Early 20 th Century l l l 28 1920’s Women earn the right to vote throughout the United States. Margaret Sanger crusades to make birth control information legally available to women. 1940’s development of penicillin offers a cure for syphilis and gonorrhea. 1950’s peacetime, wealth and automobiles allow for greater sexual expression. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

History: Later 20 th Century l l 29 1960’s civil rights movement and “The Pill” shake things up. 1970’s Feminists join the civil rights movement. 1980’s HIV/AIDS discovery is scary but doesn’t change behaviors in the general population. 1990’s see a return to more conservative attitudes about non-marital sex in the wake of the AIDS toll. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Early Sexual Scientists l Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) Victorian, antisex bias – l Henry Havelock Ellis (1859 – 1939) Voice of enlightenment among the Victorians – – – 30 Penis envy in girls, Oedipal Complex in boys Sex is not harmful to mental or physical health Women are not asexual Male and female orgasms are very similar King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Founders of Modern Sexology l Alfred C. Kinsey (1894 – 1956) – – – 31 “Shocking” discovery that a wide variety of sexual behaviors, including oral-genital sex, masturbation and homosexual encounters, were common and apparently not harmful to mental or physical health Pioneer of the interview method of sex research Scorned by the public as well as his peers for his “foul” research King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

New sexological techniques l William Masters & Virginia Johnson – – – 32 1954: direct laboratory observations of humans engaging in sexual activity began 1966: Human Sexual Response detailing physiological and behavioral responses to sexual stimulation was published…”scientific peeping toms. ” 1970: Human Sexual Inadequacy details their approach to identifying and treating sexual dysfunctions allows for the improvement of sexual relations in adults. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

National Health and Social Life Survey 33 l 1989: Conservative politicians halt scientific study of 20, 000 Americans due to fears that it might “legitimize homosexual lifestyles. ” l 1992: A scaled-down survey of 3432 adults results in the most comprehensive nationally representative survey to date. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Scientific Methodology l Samples and populations – – l Random sample Stratified random sample (representative sample Descriptive Surveys – getting at the truth -- Phrasing the questions -- Questionnaires vs. Interviews -- “Truth items” -- Volunteer Bias -- Defining “sex” or “had sex” 34 King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Other Research Methods l Correlations – relationships between variables – – l Direct Observations – seeing is believing – – – l 35 Positive or negative Correlation is not causation Naturalistic Participant-Observer Laboratory Case Studies – in-depth studies of individuals or small groups King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

The Experimental Method l l The only method that can establish a cause and effect relationship between variables Random assignment of the Independent Variable (IV) – l Measurement of the Dependent Variable (DV) – 36 IV = the factors you control in the experiment What effect did the IV have on the DV? King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Some experimental results l l 37 Comprehensive college sexuality education increases the likelihood that students will initiate discussions about sex with their children (King, et. al. , 1993). Sex education programs do not increase sexual experimentation or activity and they may also result in teens postponing sexual intercourse or initiating safer sex practices (Grunseit et. al. , 1997, and Shears, 2002). King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

So, why a course in sexuality? l l 38 In the US, the federal government supports only “abstinence-only” programs; shown to be ineffective in preventing significant numbers of unwanted pregnancy and new cases of STIs. Teen pregnancies and STIs remain at alarmingly high rates in comparison to many northern European countries and Canada; countries which introduce sexuality education as early as elementary school. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Personal Reflection l l 39 Do you believe that sexuality education should be taught in school? If not, why? If so, beginning at what grade level? Why? What topics should be included? Why? What do hope to learn in this course? King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall