Human Sexuality - Chapter 1

HSC 425I: HUMAN SEXUALITY

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Human Sexuality Roger R. Hock

Acceptable Sexual Behaviors in Society 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

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Heterosexual 2. 3. Masturbation 4. Foreplay 5. Premarital sex 6. 7. Pornography 8. Contraceptives 9. Oral sex 10. 11. Casual sex Safer forms of foreplay12. 13. Monogamy 14. 15. Consensual sex 16. Bachelor parties 17.

Abnormal Sexual Behaviors in Society Incest Pedophilia Bestiality Toys/kinky sex Prostitution Cheating Giant orgies Pornography (hardcore) Rape Necrophilia Underage Mismatch Swing Public sex Vampire sex Bondage/gagging neurotic asphyxiation Anal sex

Normal Sexual Behaviors Society 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Vaginal sex Oral sex Multiple partners Dating Masturbation Kissing Monogamy Sexual fantasies Contraceptives PDA Erotic dancing Flirting Pornography Sex outside marriage

in 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Abnormal Sexual Behaviors in Society

Anal sex Forty year old virgin Feet fetishes Beastiality Bondage Auto erotic asphyxiation Choking Necrophilia Pedophilia Senior sex Incest Affairs Marrying outside species/inanimate objects

Prostitution 2. Group sex 3. Transsexual sex 4. Friends with benefits 5. Homosexual 6. Same sex experiences 7. Age differences 8. One night stands 9. Sex under influence 10. Orgies 11. Sex toys 1.

Perspective of Class 

Sexuality is a fundamental component of health

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The most significant factor in shaping sexuality is the interplay between biology, individual personality, social, and cultural factors.

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Sex is basically an expression of intimacy and an essential component of pair bonding.

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Sexual norms and morals are relative to the culture and times where they exist.

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Even though sexuality is not unique to humans, human sexuality is uniquely complex and it may affect most aspects of a human being’s life, and it plays a role in most human endeavors.

Critical Thinking Question? 

Why is important to study human sexuality?  It’s

More Complex than You Think  People Know a lot About Sex – And Much of It Is Wrong  To Promote Tolerance and Respect for Sexual Diversity  What Is “Normal” Sexuality?  To Promote Sexual Health

Why do we have sex? 

Brainstorm about the purpose of sex  Reproduction  Recreation  Business  Other?

Reproduction vs. Recreation 

Why couldn’t we just reproduce by dividing ourselves like amebas?

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What percentage of the time do you think people have sex for the purpose of reproduction vs. recreation?

Sexual Vocabulary

 What

does the word sex mean?

 Intercourse  Vaginal-penile  Anal

Sex  Oral Sex  Gender  Other

intercourse

Did President Clinton have “sex” with Monica Lewinsky? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=KiIP_KDQmXs

Sexual Vocabulary (cont)  What  Never

does it mean to be a virgin?

having had penile-vaginal intercourse  Never having been naked and intimate with another person  Complete sexual inexperience

Sexual Vocabulary 

Dichotomies used to judge sexual activities        

Moral vs immoral Natural vs unnatural Normal vs abnormal Appropriate vs inappropiate Legal vs illegal Bad vs good Other? Yucky vs yummy?

Societal Norms and Sexuality 

Normal sexual behavior is what a culture defines as normal.

Critical thinking question 

How do you determine if a particular sexual behavior or practice is abnormal, unnatural, immoral?  Is

it based on what you personally do or not do? or  Is it based on some other “principle”?

Theoretical framework for explaining sex 

Theory of evolution 

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We have sex because it allows the species to survive.

Sociobiology theory (based on the theory of evolution) 

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“reproductive strategies” enhance the individual’s ability to pass along his or her genes and ensure their survival Phenomena such as male dominance, maternal behavior, etc., can be explained biologically

Theoretical framework for explaining sex (cont) 

Evolutionary psychology 

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Also based on the theory of evolution seeks to explain the biological bases of love and other emotions such as jealousy Sexual selection 

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Sexual behaviors that provide reproductive advantage

Sexual strategies 

Purposeful practices for choosing a partner

Theoretical framework for explaining sex (cont) 

Religion 

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Most religions see sex as coming from the divine (i.e. one god or several gods) According to the different religions, sex can be a “path to spirituality”, a mandate to reproduce, a necessary evil, a gift, a punishment, a temptation, or a sin to be avoided at all cost, among others.

Theoretical framework for explaining sex (cont) 

Social Construction Theory 

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Social Learning Theory 

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The notion that sexuality is constructed differently across cultures and over time. Seeks to explain how we learn to behave socially by imitating those around us.

No one theory explains everything about sexuality

Sexuality Across Cultures and Times 

Culture takes our sexual impulses and molds and shapes them, sometimes celebrating sexuality, other times condemning it.

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Sex is not a new phenomenon. Every variety of sexual behavior can be found in the pages of history.

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Sexual impulses - an inclination to act sexually

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Culture takes our sexual impulses and molds and shapes them.

Normal???????     

Subjectively normal Statistically normal Idealistically normal Culturally normal Clinically normal

Phallic Worship 

The penis as a symbol of power. The penis is glorified in art as a sword or ax, sometimes given wings.

Phallic Worship

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Phallic Worship

Ancient Civilizations and Sexuality     

Ancient China Ancient India Ancient Japan Ancient Greece Ancient Romans

Ancient China (Chou Dynasty -770 BC to 222 BC)   

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They divided men and women into the yin and the yang Women had an unending supply of yin essence. Men had a limited supply of yang and they were forbidden to use it up without acquiring plenty of yin. Before a man could ejaculate, he had to prolong it, making a woman orgasm several times to acquire her yin essence, otherwise it may cause the man health problems and even death.

Ancient China-Chou Dynasty -770 BC to 222 BC (cont) 

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Masturbation by men was seen as unhealthy because it would cause a complete loss of vital yang essence. Women could masturbate freely because they had unlimited yin. Male homosexuality was forbidden because it was considered a complete loss of yang essence for both men. Female homosexuality was widespread.

Ancient India 

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It may be argued that India pioneered the use of sexual education through art and literature. The Tantric school of Hindu philosophy sex

is a basic and powerful desire experienced by all humans, could be utilized as a way of achieving enlightenment

Ancient India 

The Kama Sutra or “ love science” (1st -6th century) was intended as both an exploration of human desire, including seduction and infidelity, and a technical guide to pleasing a sexual partner within a marriage.

Ancient Japan Eroticism is treated as a central part of the esthetic life of members of the nobility.  Women were expected to be highly subservient to men.  Their husbands, on the other hand, might consort sexually with whomever they chose outside of the family. 

Ancient Greece 

500 BC – 300 BC

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Openly expressed sexual interests

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Men and women viewed as bisexual

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Male-male sex is normal

Greeks- continued 

Greek myths tell of the mysterious school for women on the island of Lesbos.

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Prostitution flourished at every level of society, from Courtesans (lady of the court)to Concubines(secondary wife of inferior status).

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Wives are property of their husbands

Greeks- continued 

Few male-male relationships socially acceptable-

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Pederasty(sexual love of boys).

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Parents were pleased if their sons attracted a socially prominent older male as a “mentor”

The Ancient Romans 

Sexual excesses (orgies) common among emperors and ruling families.

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Male-male sex regarded as a threat to society

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Women given more power, but still property of husbands.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=hWaCx2H6hZg&feature=results_video& playnext=1&list=PL67EFE5FD383EAED8

Critical Thinking Questions 

What do all these civilizations have in common?  Patriarchy?

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Were these civilizations immoral, amoral, or just differently moral?

More Recent Historical Periods  

Victorian Era The United States

The 18th Century 

All sexual behaviors deemed sinful by Christianity were causal factors for illnesses.

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The great age medical systems

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Medical field lacks knowledge of microbes, viruses, and pathology.

Victorian Sexuality 

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Named after Queen Victoria of England (1837-1901) marked a period of extremely conservative sexual views, especially for women. Prostitution was considered a social evil. Masturbation, the “solitary vice” or “onanism”, emerged as an epidemic, especially amongst children.

Nineteenth Century Anti-masturbation Devices

A Sexual History Time Line in the United States 

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1600-1800s-married women were considered property of their husband. 1846- U.S. patent issued for first diaphragm contraceptive. 1873-Congress passes Comstock Act outlawing distribution of contraception information and devices 1908-Sigmund Freud introduces the U.S. to his theories of sex as primary driving force in human nature 1916-Margaret Sanger opens first birth control clinic in New York

A Sexual History Time Line in the United States (cont)   

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1920s-Introduction of automobiles leads to the practice of dating. 1920-The right to vote is extended to women in the U.S. 1923-John Kellogg promotes plain foods such as corn flakes to prevent sexual feelings and discourage masturbation. 1936-U.S. Federal Court overturns “Comstock Act’s” anti-contraception laws 1942-Planned Parenthood founded 1950-Existence of G-spot suggested by Ernst Grafenberg.

A Sexual History Time Line in the United States (cont)     

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1960-FDA approves first oral contraceptive, The Pill. 1960s-Sexual revolution begins 1960s-Women’s Rights Movement 1966- National Organization of Women is founded 1966-Human Sexual Response by Masters and Johnson is published. 1969-Huge rock concert at Woodstock marks culmination of “hippie free love”. 1969-Stonewall riots in New York mark the birth of gay rights movement.

A Sexual History Time Line in the United States (cont) 

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1973-Roe v. Wade, declares a woman’s right to an abortion nationwide. 1973- American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of psychiatric disorders in the DSM II 1979-California first state to classify forced sex by husband on wife as rape.

A Sexual History Time Line in the United States (cont) 

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1981-First unexplained deaths from unusual infections among gay men, Gay-related Immune Deficiency. 1983-Human immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is isolated. 1991-The worldwide web is developed revolutionizing the way people access pornography

A Sexual History Time Line in the United States (cont) 

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1993-President Clinton institutes the “don’t’ ask, don’t’ tell” policy allowing homosexuals to serve in the military. 1998-Emergency Contraception, “the morning-after pill” approved for sale without prescription. 1998-Viagra approved by FDA for treatment of erectile disorder. 2003-The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down all Texas sodomy laws.

A Sexual History Time Line in the United States (cont) 

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2002-The “rape drugs” become major problem in college campuses. 2004-First same-sex marriage licenses are issued in San Francisco. 2004- President Bush calls for U.S. constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. 2006- Vaccine against HPV is approved by FDA.

Sex Information/Advice Genre 

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Advice as entertainment 

Primary purpose is sales, not accuracy

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Media must entertain

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Focus is on information and morality

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Gives appearance of being scientific

Misleading use of statistics

Sex and Religion 

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All major religions devote a great deal of energy to the regulation of human sexual behavior. The purpose of sex, premarital sex, extramarital sex, nonprocreational sex, homosexuality, contraception, abortion, divorce, gender relations, are all among issues that all majors religion address, sometimes coming to different answers.

Major Religions and Sexuality Hinduism Buddhism Judaism Christianity Islam

Hinduism 

Hinduism has a healthy, unrepressed outlook on human sexuality, and sexual pleasure, is part of kama, one of the four goals of life.

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Hindu scripture does not address issues of birth control, sterilization, masturbation, homosexuality, bisexuality, petting, and polygamy, neither calling them sins nor encouraging their practices.

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The two important exceptions to this understanding view of sexual experience are adultery and abortion, both of which are considered to carry heavy karmic implications for this and future births.

Buddhism Five Precepts: 1. Refrain from killing 2. Refrain from stealing 3. Refrain from illicit sexual relations (adultery, rape, exploitation, etc) 4. Refrain from wrong speech and 5. Refrain from intoxicants (drugs and alcohol). 

Divorce is allowed if the parties are not in a loving relationship.

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Homosexuality is usually tolerated although not encouraged.

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Celibacy for monks and nuns is mandated

Judaism 

Women are to be subservient to men.

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Marriage and children are held in high regard by Judaism.

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Singleness is heavily disapproved of even for religious leaders.

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Divorce is allowed.

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Homosexuality is considered a sin by most sects of Judaism.

The Story of Onan 

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Clearly, Onan was punished for disobeying God rather than for engaging in coitus interruptus. The term Onanism became a catchall to condemn masturbation and prohibit all forms of non-procreative sex.

The Story of Onan 

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Onan refused to follow the law of marrying his deceased brother’s wife and impregnating her if she was without children. “When he spilled his seed upon the ground rather than impregnate her, he was struck dead by God” Genesis 38: 7-10

Christianity 

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Temptations of the flesh are distractions from spiritual devotion to God. Historically the purpose of sex was primarily for reproduction. The role of women has historically been subservient to that of men. Major differences among different Christian sects exit. Most Christian churches accept contraception but not abortion. Most Christians churches accept divorce. Most Christian churches condemn homosexuality. The Catholic Church, one of the most conservative of Christian churches, does not accept contraception, abortion, homosexuality or divorce.

Islam 

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Adultery, which includes premarital sex is heavily condemned and punished. Sexual satisfaction is a woman’s entitlement and a woman may even divorce a husband if he does not please her. Polygamy is accepted as the exception rather than the rule. The men are made responsible for the women, and may resort to beating them if they do not obey. 

Surah 4:34-35

Critical thinking question  Are

we a “puritanical” conservative country or hypersexualized “morally loose” nation?

Opinions, Biases, and Stereotypes 

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Opinion - an unsubstantiated belief Bias - personal leaning or inclination Stereotype - set of simplistic, rigidly held, over generalized beliefs

Sex Research Methods 

Different methodological approaches: 

Clinical research

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Survey research

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Observational research

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Experimental research

Limitations of Clinical Research 

Is descriptive. Can not conclude cause and effect

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Focuses largely on pathological behavior

Limitations of Survey Research    

Survey tools do not allow in depth responses. Dependent on self reporting Interviewers may create biases in presentation of questions Interviewers gender or other characteristics may influence responses

Limitations of Observational Research 

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Ethical concerns with observing sexual behavior Most studies occur in non natural environments (labs) Participants are aware that they are being observed

Experimental Research 

Variables - aspects/factors that can be manipulated

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Independent Variables- factors that cause or explain a phenomena

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Dependent Variables- factors that are influenced by the independent variables. The phenomena for which explanations are being sought.

The Sex Researchers

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) 

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Believed a person could change behaviors by bringing unconscious motives into consciousness. Father of psychoanalysis Sexuality begins at birth

Personality Theory 

3 integrated parts  The

Id: instincts driven by libido  The Ego: deals with reality  The Superego: individual’s morals

Freudian Principles 

pleasure principle- organisms seek pleasure and avoid pain

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reality principle- the control the external world exerts on an organism- postpones pleasure

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moral principle- an internalization of societal demands

Freud’s 5 Stages of Pyschosexual Development 

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Stage 1- oral stage -birth to age 1 Stage 2- anal stage- ages 1 –3 Stage 3- phallic stage- ages 3– 5 Stage 4- latency stage – ages 6 puberty Stage 5- genital stageadolescents

Alfred Kinsey (1894-1956) 

Kinsey did extensive research on sexual diversity and variation, and masturbation

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Published “The Kinsey Reports”

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Demonstrated a great discrepancy between public standards and actual sexual behaviors

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Noted immense diversity in individual sexual behaviors

Famous Surveys: The Kinsey Reports Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953)

The 2004 film Kinsey (photo right) reintroduced the world to the life and work of pioneering sex survey researcher, Alfred Kinsey seated in the real-life photo (left). Although we must always be cautious about interpreting Hollywood’s version of historical events, Kinsey provides a fascinating glimpse into one of the most influential figures in the history of sexuality research. In the late 1940s and early 1950s when Kinsey was gathering his data about the sexual behavior of men and women in the United States, attitudes about sex were generally quite restrictive. A scene in the film shows government agents seizing a package of Kinsey’s research materials, claiming they were “obscene.” Not only did Kinsey pioneer the survey method of sexuality research, but he did so with conviction—some might say courage—in the highly non-supportive social and political environment of the time.

Alfred Kinsey (1894-1956) 

Suggested 3 main points regarding masturbation:  

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It is harmless It is not a substitute for intercourse It is a more reliable source of orgasm for women, and it’s practice facilitates a woman’s ability to become orgasmic during intercourse

Alfred Kinsey (1894-1956) Reported that many people had same sex sexual experiences  

(50% male, 28% female) Submitted that sexual preference could change- sexuality is fluid

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Sexual acts alone do not make a person gay, lesbian, etc.

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Rejected the ideas of homosexual and heterosexual identities

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Advocated for tolerance of sexual differences Devised the Kinsey Scale

Major criticisms of Kinsey 

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Defined sexual behavior as only acts leading to orgasmonly used quantitative data Ignored psychological elements of sexuality

William Masters and Virginia Johnson-(1950s –  

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Studied sexual response cycle Used observational data and direct measurement of genital changes with electronic devices Published “Human Sexual Response”: 

Male and female physiological sexual responses are similar.

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Women achieve orgasm mainly through clitoral stimulationnot vaginal penetration (legitimized female masturbation)

Revolutionized sex therapy with the use of Behavioral Therapy to treat sexual problems

Masters and Johnson 

http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=aZcYTCo-D9s