The Sexual Self Sex and Gender

- A comprehensive process involving self - simply a marker recorded in our birth

definition more broadly as a sexual being certificate.
that evolves through a multi-stage - Biological sex is problematic when used to
developmental process, which varies in generalize sex as the totality of one’s sexuality.
intensity and duration depending on the - Assigned sex is the preferred term.
individual. (Worthington et al., 2002).
- GENDER refers to personal traits and social
- Encompassing the biological, physical,
emotional and social domains. positions that members of a society attach to
being female and male; refers to femininity and
S- Sexual L –Lesbian masculinity.
O- Orientation G- Gay - Sex is determined by our bodies, gender is
G- Gender B- Bisexual socially defined.
I -Identity T- Transgender
Gender Identity
E- Expression Q- Queer
- It is a person’s conception of the self as
being male or female, which is largely based
SOGIE is not only for LGBTQ
on his or her association with the feminine
- SOGIE refers to characteristics common to or masculine sexual roles ( How you think
all human beings because everyone has a about yourself)
sexual orientation and a gender identity. - Cisgender, Transgender
- Also, everyone expresses their gender, not
just the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Gender Expression
transgender people. - How you demonstrate your gender
Biological (Chromosomal) Sex (feminine, masculine, androgynous)

Sexual Orientation
A. our chromosomes (XX for females, XY for
males); - Describes how a person feels and only that
person knows what it is like to be who
B. our hormones (estrogen and progesterone
for females, testosterone for males) he/she is ( as who one wants to be with)
- Sexual Orientation developed later
C. our internal and external genitalia (vulva, compared to gender identity (puberty
clitoris, vagina for females, penis and testicles stage).
for males). - Sexual orientation has to do with who we
get into bed with; our gender identity has
About 4% of the population can be defined as something to do with who we get to bed as.
"Intersexuals" born with biological aspects of
both sexes to varying degrees.
Sexual Behavior (Human Sexual Response)

- For example, one may have a "homosexual" Theories on Human Sexuality

orientation, but due to overriding
Pyschoanalytic Theory
condemnations against same-sex sexual
expression, may "pass" by having sex only (Freud)
with people of the other sex.
- Sexual behavior is usually a choice. Though - Sex is one of the key forces in human life. -
some people claim their sexual orientation Sex drive or sex energy termed as the libido
is also a choice, for the vast majority, this is one of the two major motivations of
doesn't seem to be the case human behavior.

• Sexual Intercourse = Penetrative definition Learning Theory

(vs. non-penetrative) • Orgasmic Definition •
- states that human sexual behavior is not
Intimacy/ Spiritual Definition
only biological in nature because actions
- SEX is what you do, sexuality is what you can be learned.
are. - operates through classical conditioning,
operant conditioning, behavior
modification, and social learning.

- Classical conditioning happens when a

neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with
an unconditioned stimulus generating an
unconditioned response.

- Operant conditioning is the process by

which the frequency of a behavior is
determined by rewards or punishments.

- Social learning is the process by which

SEX MOTIVES (Cooper, M.L., Shapiro, C.M., & sexual behavior is learned not only through
Powers, A.M. , 1998). operant conditioning but also through
imitation and identification.
1. Enhancement
Cognitive Theory
2. Intimacy
- focus on the way people think and perceive
3. Self-Affirming things.
4. Coping - what the person thinks influences what
he/she feels because perception, labeling,
5. Peer pressure and evaluating events are crucial

6. Partner Approval
Biological Functionalism Chemistry of Love, Lust and Attachment

- Sexual Behavior is viewed as the product of LOVE

evolution and natural selection. - biological drive comprising of lust, romantic
- Creates Social Bonds (Human, Bonobos, and love, and attachment.
dolphins) -- reinforces intimate social bonds Different in context but share the same goal of
between individuals to form larger social sexual reproduction
structures.
- The resulting cooperation encourages LUST
collective tasks that promote the survival of - hunts for potential mates ( sexual pleasure)
each member of the group.
ROMANTIC LOVE
Human Sexual Response - allows us to focus our energy to just one
- Men develop sexual responsiveness at an person
earlier age than women
- Men become sexually stimulated as they ATTACHMENT
reach adolescence and the peak of their - encourages us to stick with this partner in
response to sexual stimuli is reached within order for us to raise children (Perina, Estroff &
three to four years after the onset of Flora, 2004).  
adolescence. Neurochemical Levels
- Females’ responsiveness to sexual stimuli DOPAMINE
happen in their late twenties or early - allows individual as to maintain romantic
thirties. It is the hormones that best explain love's unique, intoxicating properties
the internal factors to which animals - they create an exhilaration leading one to lose
respond to sexual stimuli. the desire to eat or sleep
Sexual Behavior Vasopressin and oxytocin

- varies in females and males. - hormones that lead to long-lasting

- The differences in their behavior can be attachment
attributed to psychosexual stimuli As romantic love progresses, dopamine levels
- partly determined by the individual’s eventually subside
internal factors and partly determined by
their socialization into their culture, - Studies have shown that couples who share
interaction with partners, and moral exciting experiences are more satisfied and
constraints (Hyde & DeLamater, 1997) romantic than couples who are more
habitual.

- This is because relationships have a hard

time surviving once the exhilaration of
 courtship gives way to the habits in the F 9.Sex should be like porn
relationship.

Building Sexual Relationships

- individual must build a loving attachment - Prevalence of sexual activity is higher

and develop good communication with the among boys than in girls,
other person Boys- 16 years old : Girls- 17 years old

- Physical touch- one way of communicating - Many adolescents have already engaged in
one-night-stand relationships and had more
- EROGENOUS ZONES than one sexual partners.
o body parts that are sexually
- Consequences of engaging in unprotected
sensitive.
sex : teenage pregnancy and contracting
o different for every person, but
diseases.
among the most common are lips,
neck, thighs, genitals, and breasts. Responsible Sexual Behavior

Entails:

1. Respect for one’s body

2. Maturity in thoughts and deeds
3. Being guided by one’s personal beliefs
and core values
4. Being Future-Oriented

Sexual Responsibility

- smarter decision-making when it comes to

sex through gathering information.
- involves respecting your partner,
transparency, and taking preventive
measures against unwanted pregnancy and
sexually transmitted diseases.
- sexual responsibility is practicing safe sex.
F 1. You cannot get pregnant the first time you have sex
F 2.You cannot get pregnant if the guy pulls out or if you
have sex standing up
F 3. Condoms are reusable.
F 4.Peeing or washing after sex will prevent pregnancy.
F 5.Penis size matters.
F 6.Women can achieve orgasm from vaginal sex alone
F 7. Oral sex is safer compared to vaginal sex
F 8. You cannot get HIV from getting a tattoo or body
piercing