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Human Sexuality

Human Sexuality. Perspectives on Sexuality M. Ahrens. Reasons People Study Sexuality. Individual: to increase health, happiness & personal development Interpersonal: to improve relationships Societal: to change the quality of the global village. Authors’ Perspective.

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Human Sexuality

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  1. Human Sexuality Perspectives on Sexuality M. Ahrens

  2. Reasons People Study Sexuality • Individual: to increase health, happiness & personal development • Interpersonal: to improve relationships • Societal: to change the quality of the global village

  3. Authors’ Perspective • Psychosocial orientation • psychological factors • social factors • the controversy re: sociobiological factors

  4. Media Impact on Culture • Technological advances • increase in number of information sources • accessibility of information within the community, home, workplace • Videos, movies, cyberspace, magazines • Breakdown of cultural taboos

  5. Ancient Hebrews be “fruitful & multiply” appreciation of sex within marriage Roman Empire social instability & sexual excess Middle Ages proliferation of “sex as sin” concept Christianity reaction to Roman excess Christ’s views unclear Paul of Tarsus: denounced “desires of the flesh”, celibacy superior to marriage Augustine: lust was original sin; intercourse within marriage for reproduction The Sex-for-Reproduction Legacy

  6. Protestant Reformation Martin Luther - value of sex within marriage John Calvin - sex other than reproduction within marriage Puritans - appreciate sexual expression within marriage Eastern & Mideastern Traditions Taoism - sex linked with spiritual growth & harmony Hinduism - sexual pleasure is one path to spiritual fulfillment Islam - opposed to celibacy, highest good is intercourse within marriage The Sex-for-Reproduction Legacy

  7. The Sex-for-Reproduction Legacy • Impact of modern contraception • better methods of contraception (sex without reproduction) > condoms, other devices, “pill” • economic concerns about large families • ecological concerns about large families • fertility advances (reproduction without sex)

  8. Ancient Hebrews highly specialized roles in the Bible Christianity Paul of Tarsus, Genesis to justify women’s submissive role reaffirmed specialized roles Middle Ages Contradictory images of women Virgin Mary(Madonna) as compassionate, protective, pure, unattainable, “courtly love” Eve (the whore) as evil, temptress, leading to 200 years of witch-hunts The Gender Role Legacy

  9. Protestant Reformation Enlightenment, scientific rationalism Temporary  in respect for women Victorian Era women valued for delicacy, restrained & constrained women “..not troubled with sexual feelings of any kind” emotional & physical distance between husband & wife prostitution flourished The Gender Role Legacy

  10. The Gender Role Legacy • 20th Century • suffrage movement - women’s right to vote, temperance movement, abolition of slavery, right to own property & attend university • World War II - roles were expanded & flexible • Postwar return to stricter roles • 1960s movement for gender equality “A liberated woman is one who has sex before marriage and a job after”Gloria Steinem

  11. Social Norms - all societies regulate sexual behavior norms or rules vary across cultures China -  restrictive pre-1990s lack of info A & P, repro, disease 23% college males, 12% females admit to intercourse, 50% contraceptive use Islamic Middle East based on Muhammad sex enjoyed by both sexes women inherently more sexual than men, power to be contained by veils, segregation, female circumcision marriage arranged, male heir primary goal female adulterers & male homosexuals severely punished Cross-Cultural Perspective:Social norms & sexual diversity

  12. Sweden open, relaxed attitudes equality for men & women government sponsored sex education, family planning services, legalized abortion, parental leave low rates of teen pregnancy, high rates of unmarried couples living together Diversity in U.S. Native Americans Asian-Americans Latino-Americans African-Americans Euro-Americans Cross-Cultural Perspective:Social norms & sexual diversity

  13. Cross-Cultural Perspective:Social norms & sexual diversity • Other considerations • great diversity within groups • groups may be more similar than different • acculturation level • socioeconomic level • ethnicity • education level • religious beliefs

  14. Sexuality: Personal or Public Domain? • Individual freedom & responsibility • Cultural Diversity • Rapid Advances - psychological understanding, scientific research, reproductive technology, communications/media • Unfortunate Consequences - STI/Ds, teen pregnancy • Legal & Social Debates - abortion legislation; rights of homosexuals; pornography & prostitution; sex ed; censorship on the Internet

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