MODULE 2: Unpacking the Self

Lesson 1: Physical and Sexual Self

by: Raquel A. Villarmero

INTRODUCTION
It has been accepted that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex (male or
female) and their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood, we are controlled by
our genetic makeup, which influences how we treat ourselves and others. Still, some
individuals donot accept their innate sexual characteristics, and they tend to alter or change
their sexual organs through medications and surgery. Aside from our genes, our society or
the external environment helps shape our selves. This lesson aids us in better
understanding ourselves as the development of sexual characteristics and behaviors are
unveiled.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Identify the different aspects, forces, and institutions that impact the development of
the physical and sexual self;
2. Examine one’s self against the different aspects, forces, and institutions influencing
the physical and sexual self; and
3. Understand human sexual behavior and STDs.

MOTIVATION
A. SENTENCE COMPLETION
I am beautiful because I have confident, kindness, humanity.
A. HER AND HIM
Below is a table. Supply this table by listing the common secondary sexual
characteristics of males and females.

Male Secondary Sexual Characteristics Female Secondary Sexual Characteristics

1. Growth of testicles 1. Enlargement of breasts

2. Growth of pubic hair 2. Enlargement of uterus and vagina
3. Chest become larger 3. High pitched voice
4. Voice become deeper 4. Narrowing of shoulders
5. Muscular growth 5. Widening of hips

LESSON PROPER
Part I. Focus on the Body

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is irresistible to one may not be to the other.
Beauty is personal. Our interpretation of beauty is guided by cultural influences and ideas of
aesthetics determined by fashion dictates of that period. Women (and sometimes men) often
go to ridiculous lengths and a lot of pain to achieve that indescribable beauty ideal.

It is not new because the quest for perfect looks has been as old as time itself.
Nevertheless, culture plays a huge role in our ideas of beauty. Here are examples to show
what one admires or repulses in a culture. Fairness is desirable in most Asian countries.

Natural flawless skin is the beauty ideal in Europe,

while youthfulness is the beauty goal in the United States.
A slender figure is considered beautiful in most parts of the
world. Yet, in Africa, a larger figure is considered attractive.
As the world becomes smaller and connectivity advances,
people begin associating beauty with happiness and
prosperity. As a consequence,women from the East started
to crave the Western ideal of beauty.

Technology is one powerful force that can define beauty in the hands of the
people. Mobile phones allow people greater control of their images, including applications
that can alter photos for fun, appearance, and entertainment. As to media and other outside
influences, the youth look for ways how they can fit in. They might try to compare themselves
with others which can affect how they feel about themselves.

Many aspects contribute to body images, such as a person’s external environment,

biological makeup, and genetic predisposition.

The family can also influence body image. Some parents or

family members criticize their kids’ appearances, affecting their
self-esteem, especially if they are sensitive to their observations
and remarks. In school, teens may also experience hurtful teasing
concerning how they look, affecting body image.

In addition to this, fashion and cosmetic industry giants

dictate the rules of attractiveness. What is considered beautiful
today may be mocked tomorrow. When society changes, our
interpretation of beauty also changes.

While culture alone is not responsible for a poor or negative body image, its impact on
how a person feels about themselves and their body is significant. Being aware of your
surroundings and understanding how culture and traditions may affect how you think and feel
about your body can be helpful, especially in a conscious effort to build a positive body image
and increase self-esteem (“How culture influences beauty,” 2016).

Part II. Focus on the Sexuality

According to Marieb (2001), the gonads (reproductive glands that produce the gametes:
testis or ovary) begin to form until the eight weeks of embryonic development. During the early
stages of human development, the reproductive structures of males and females are alike
and are said to be in an indifferent stage. When primary reproductive structures are formed,
the development of accessory structures and external genitalia begins. The formation of male
or female structures depends on the presence of
testosterone. Usually, the embryonic testes release
testosterone once formed, and the duct system and external
genitalia formation follow. In the case of female embryos that
form ovaries, it will cause the female ducts and external
genitalia development since testosterone is not produced.

Puberty is the period of life, generally between the

ages of 10 and 15, when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become
functional under gonadal hormones (testosterone in males and estrogen in females). After
this time, reproductive capability continues until old age in males and menopause in females.
The changes that occur during puberty are similar in all individuals, but the periods they occur
differ among individuals.
 Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive
abilities in their late 20s. A natural disease in ovarian function
usually follows, characterized by reduced estrogen production
that causes irregular ovulation and shorter menstrual periods.
Consequently, ovulation and menses stop entirely, ending
childbearing ability. This event is called menopause, which occurs
when females no longer experience menstruation. There is no
counterpart of menopause in males. Although aging men show a steady decline in
testosterone secretion, their reproductive capability seems unending. Healthy men are still
able to father offspring well into their late 80s and beyond.

Human Sexual Behavior

Human sexual behavior is defined as any activity that could

be solitary between two persons or in a group that induces sexual
arousal (Gebhard, 2017). Two major factors determine human
sexual behavior: the inherited sexual response patterns that have
evolved as a means of ensuring reproduction and that become part
of each individual’s geneticinheritance, and the degree of restraint
or other types of influence exerted on the individual bysociety in the
expressions of his sexuality.

The various types of human sexual behavior are usually classified according to gender
and the number of participants. There is solitary behavior involving only one individual, and
there is sociosexual behavior involving more than one person. Sociosexual behavior is
generally divided into heterosexual behavior (male with female) and homosexual behavior
(male with male or female with female). If three or more individuals are involved, they can
simultaneously have heterosexual and homosexual activity (Gebhard, 2017).

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are infections transmitted from one infected
person to an uninfected person through sexual contact. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites can
cause STDs. Examples include gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus infection,
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS),
chlamydia, and syphilis (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National
Institute of Health of the United States, 2017).
 STDs are a significant global health priority because of
their overwhelming impact on women and infants and
their inter-relationships with HIV and AIDS. STDs and
HIV are associated with biological interactions because
both infections may occur in the same populations.
Infection with certain STDs can increase the risk of
getting and transmitting HIV and modifying how the
disease develops.

APPLICATION
Complete the sentence:

(1) I have to do these three things Kindness, Respect, Humanity to maintain my inner and
outer beauty.

(2) I promise not to engage in anything that can destroy my personality, I also promise that I
won’t involve myself to any bad activities to avoid future negative consequences.

GENERALIZATION

In a nutshell we learned that:

Beauty embodied by the physical body is dependent on the perceptions, culture,
and setting of the society.
The culture in which we are surrounded by people as well as mass media has
significant impact concerning how we feel about ourselves including the way in
which we think about our physical self.
Sexuality undergoes physical development and differs between the female and
male body.
Sexual self is a complex behavior that is affected by many phases such as
physiology, conscious mental activities, and learning.
Human sexual behavior is influenced by the physical and the society.
STDs are global health problems which are consequences of improper sexual
behavior.
Human sexuality is the way in which we experience and express ourselves as
sexual being similarly, there are influences that helps develop our sexuality.
 Discuss the cultural conceptions and standards of beauty of the face and body through
the following questions:

✓ What does your body and sexuality tell about yourself?

- My body and sexuality are telling me about how to be deal every situation I am, it also
represents my personality to other person that I interact.

✓ If you have the freedom, money, and time to alter your body, which part would you
change? Why?
- I don’t want to change any part of my body, because I already contented of my what I see in
myself.

ASSESSMENT

REFERENCES
Gebhard, P.H. (2019). Human sexual activity. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica
websiteat https://www.britannica.com/topic/human-sexual-activity

Givhan, R. (2020, January 7). Women of impact: The idea of beauty is always shifting.
Today,it’s more inclusive than ever. Retrieved September 5, 2020 from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2020/02/beauty-today-celebrates-all-social-
media-plays-a-role-feature/

How culture influences beauty (2016). Retrieved September 5, 2020 from

http://www.drsunaina.com/blog/how-culture-influences-beauty/

Marieb, E.N. (2001). Essentials of human anatomy and physiology. Singapore: Pearson
Education Asia Pte. Ltd.
Scheel, J. (2014). Culture dictates the standard of beauty. Retrieved September 5, 2020
fromhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-food-is-family/201404/culture-dictates-
the- standard-beauty
Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2016 (2017). Retrieved from U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at
https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats16?CDC_2016_STDS_Report-
for508WeSep21_2017_1644.pdf.