UNPACKING THE

SELF: The Physical and

Sexual Self

PREPARED BY: ANA P. DE LARA

INTRODUCTION:

 It has been believed 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. It
influences the way we treat ourselves and others.
 However, there are individuals who do not accept their innate
sexual characteristics and they tend to change their sexual organs
through medications and surgery.
 This lesson helps us better understand ourselves through a
discussion on the development of our sexual characteristics and
behavior.
 Activity 1: defining beauty

 Complete the sentences below.

1. For me, beauty means ____________________________________________________________________

2. A beautiful person is _______________________________________________________________________

3. I am beautiful because ____________________________________________________________________

4. List down names of people you know who are beautiful _______________________
 Activity 2: sexual characteristics

 Fill out the table below by listing the common secondary sexual male and female
characteristics
Male secondary sexual Female secondary sexual
characteristics characteristics
 Abstraction

 The gonads (reproductive glands that produce the gametes; testis or ovary) begin to
form until about the eighth week of embryonic development.
 During the early stages of human development, the embryonic reproductive structures
of males and females are alike and are said to be in the indifferent stage.
 When the primary reproductive structures are formed, development of the accessory
structures and external genitalia begins.
 Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex hormone production in the embryo
results in strange abnormalities. As a result, pseudo hermaphrodites are formed
who are individuals having accessory reproductive structures that do not match their
gonads.
 Nowadays, many pseudo hermaphrodites undergo sex change operations to have their
outer selves (external genetalia) fit with their inner selves (gonads).
 Puberty

 Puberty is the period of life, generally between the ages of 10 and 15 years old, when
the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under the
influence of rising levels of 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 is similar in sequence in all individuals but the
age which they occur differs among individuals. In males, as they reach the age of 13,
puberty is characteristics by the increase in the size of the reproductive organs followed
by the appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary, and face. The reproductive organs
continue to grow for two years until sexual maturation marked by the presence of
mature semen in the testes.
 In females, the budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age of 11 signals their
puberty stage. Menarche is the first menstrual period of females which happens two
years after the start of puberty. Hormones play an important role in the regulation of
ovulation and fertility of females.
Diseases Associated with the
Reproductive System
 Infections are the most common problems associated with the reproductive
system in adults.
 Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and in those
whose resistance to diseases is low.
 The usual infection include those caused by Escherichia coli which spread
through the digestive tract; the sexually transmitted microorganism such as
syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes virus and yeast (a type of fungus).
 Vaginal infections that are left untreated may spread throughout the female
reproductive tract and may cause pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility.
 Problems that involve painful or abnormal menses may also be due to infection or
hormone imbalance.
 syphili
s

herpes gonorrhea
 Diseases Associated with the
Reproductive System
 In males, the most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and
epididymitis, all of which may follow sexual contacts in which sexually transmitted
disease (STD) micro organism are transmitted. Orchiditis, or inflammation of the
testes, is rather uncommon but is serious because it can cause sterility. Orchiditis
most commonly follows mumps in an adult male.
 Neoplasms are a major threat to reproductive organs. Tumors of breast and cervix
are the most common reproductive cancers in adult females, and prostate cancer (a
common sequel to prostatic hypertrophy) is a widespread problem in adult males.
 Menopause- an event in which ovulation and menses stop entirely, ending
childbearing ability.
 There is no counterpart for 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 80’s and beyond.
 Erogenous Zones

 Erogenous zones refer to parts of the body that are primarily

receptive and increase sexual arousal when touch in a sexual
manner.
 Some of the commonly erogenous zones are the mouth, breast,
genitals, and anus.
 Erogenous zones may vary from one person to another. Some
people may enjoy being touched in a certain area more than
the other areas. Other common areas of the body that can be
aroused easily may include the neck, thighs, abdomen, and
feet.
 Human Sexual Behavior

 Human sexual behavior is defined as an activity-solitary,

between two persons, or in a group- that induces sexual
arousal.
 Thereare two major factors that 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 genetic inheritance, and
the degree of restraint or other types of influence exerted
on the individual by society in the expression of his
sexuality.
 Types of Behavior

 The various types of human sexual behavior are usually classified

according to the gender and 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 to female).
 If three or more individuals are involved, it is, possible to have
heterosexual and homosexual activity simultaneously.
 Solitary Behavior

 Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and generally,

sexual climax. Usually, most self-gratification takes place in private as a end in
itself, but can also be done in a sociosexual relationship.
 Self-gratification, generally beginning at or before puberty, is very common
among young males, but becomes less frequent or is abandoned when
sociosexual activity is available.
 Consequently, self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried. There are
more males who perform acts of self-gratification than females.
 The challenge is to develop self-control in order to balance suppression and free
expression. Adolescents need to control their sexual response in order to prevent
premarital sex and acquire STD.
 Sociosexual Behavior

 Heterosexual behavior is the greatest amount of sociosexual behavior

that occurs between only one male and one female. It usually begins in
childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or
examining genitalia.
 Physical contact involving necking or petting is considered as an
ingredients of the learning process and eventually of courtship and the
selection of a marriage partner.
 Petting differs from hugging, kissing, and generalized caresses of the
clothed body to practice involving stimulation of the genitals. Petting
may be done as an expression of affection and a source of pleasure,
preliminary in coitus.
 Coitus

 The insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female reproductive
organ, is viewed by society quite differently depending upon the marital status of
the individuals.
 Majority of human societies allow premarital coitus, at least under certain
circumstances.
 Post marital coitus ( by separated, divorced, or widowed person) is almost always
ignored.
 A behavior may be interpreted by society or the individual as erotic (capable of
engendering sexual response) depending on the context in which the behavior
occurs. For instance, a kiss may be interpreted as a gesture of expression or
intimacy between couples while others may interpret it as a form of respect or
reverence.
Physiology of Human Sexual Response

sexual response follows a pattern

of sequential stages or phases
when sexual activity is continued.
 1. Excitement Phase

 It is caused by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a

sudden rise in blood supply to the surface of the body
resulting in increased skin temperature, flushing, and
swelling of all distensible body parts (particularly
noticeable in the male reproductive structure and female
breasts), more rapid breathing, the secretion of genital
fluids, vaginal expansion, and a general increase in muscle
tension. These symptoms of arousal eventually increase to
a near maximal physiological level that leads to the next
stage.
2. Plateau Phase

 Itis generally of brief duration. If stimulation is

continued, orgasm usually occurs.
 3. Sexual Climax

 Itis marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a

rapid increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, and
spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the
female reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male.
 It is also characterized by involuntary vocalizations.
 Sexual climax may last for a few seconds (normally not
over ten), after which the individual enters the resolution
phase.
 4. Resolution Phase

 It is the last stage that refers to the return to a

normal or subnormal physiologic state. Males and
females are similar in their response sequence.
Whereas males return to normal even if stimulation
continues, but continued stimulation can produce
additional orgasms in females. Females are
physically capable of repeated orgasms without the
intervening “rest period” required by males.
end of discussion