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Sociology Chapter 6 Society and Sexuality

Sociology Chapter 6 Society and Sexuality. Understanding Sexuality. Sexuality is not just about “having sex” Through much of our history, sex has been a cultural taboo. Scientists long considered sex off limits as a research topic.

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Sociology Chapter 6 Society and Sexuality

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  1. Sociology Chapter 6Society and Sexuality

  2. Understanding Sexuality • Sexuality is not just about “having sex” • Through much of our history, sex has been a cultural taboo. • Scientists long considered sex off limits as a research topic. • Sex - the biological distinction between females and males.

  3. Sex and the body • Primary sex characteristics – the genitals, and organs used for reproduction • Secondary sex characteristics – bodily development apart from the genitals. (ex: facial hair)

  4. Intersexuals and Transsexuals • In rare cases, a hormone imbalance before birth produces an intersexual person – those with both male and female characteristics. Hermaphrodites have both ovaries and testis. • Some intersexuals undergo genital surgery to appear normal. • Transsexuals – people who feel they are one sex even though biologically they are another. • Many become by surgically altering their genitals.

  5. Sexual attitudes in the U.S. • Alfred Kinsey set the stage for the “sexual revolution” • Kinsey published a study of sexuality in 1948 • His work fostered a new openness toward sexuality • The “pill” was introduced in 1960, making sex more convenient and providing women with more control over their reproduction. (see map pg. 142) • In 1980, a counter revolution began, calling for a return to family values. (see chart pg. 143) • The incest taboo – forbidding sex or marriage between certain relatives exists in nearly all cultures. (see map pg. 139)

  6. Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation – a person’s romantic and emotional attraction to another person. • The norm is heterosexuality • Some people are homosexual, while others are bisexual or attracted to people of both sexes. • Some are asexual or have no sexual attraction to either sexes (see figure page 144)

  7. What Gives Us a Sexual Orientation? • Anthropologists provide evidence suggesting that sexual orientation is socially constructed. • Various kinds of homosexuality exit in different cultures. • A growing body of evidence suggests that sexual orientation is innate, rooted in biology.

  8. Sexual Controversies • Teen Pregnancy – one million teens become pregnant each year in the U.S. (see map pg. 147) • Pornography – a $10 million a year industry that some claim leads to a breakdown of morals. • Prostitution – the selling of sexual services has reached 1 in 5 men at some point in time. (see map pg. 149) • Abortion – See chart on page 155.

  9. Sexual Violence and Abuse • Rape is an expression of power. • It is an act used to humiliate or control another person. • 90,000 women are raped each year. • Most rapes include people who know each other. • Many victims of date rape do not report the crime. (see pages 150-151)

  10. Theoretical Analysis of Sexuality: Structural-Function Analysis • Sex allows our species to reproduce. • Culture and institutions regulate with who and when people reproduce. Historically the goal was to create more social harmony and to secure reliable bloodlines. • Prostitution is one way to meet the sexual needs of a large number of people who do not have ready access to sex.

  11. Theoretical Analysis of Sexuality: Symbolic-Interaction Analysis • Almost all social patterns involving sex have seen considerable change over time. • Different societies attach different meanings to sexuality. • The broader our view, the more variation we see in the meanings people attach to sexuality.

  12. Theoretical Analysis of Sexuality: Social-Conflict Analysis • Sexuality both reflects and creates social inequality. In the U.S. behavior labeled as feminine is often viewed as inferior to male behavior. (ex: crying or being emotional) • We might wonder if women would be involved in prostitution at all if they had opportunities equal to men’s? • Defining women in sexual terms amounts to devaluing them form full human beings into objects of men’s interests.

  13. Discussion Questions • In what ways does U.S. society try to control sexuality? • What do you think is the most important sexuality-related issue facing the U.S. society today? Why?

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