Chapter 11 Gender and Sexuality
Defining Some Terms Sex: Whether you are biologically male or female Gender: All the psychological and social characteristics associated with being male or female; defined by one s gender identity and learned gender roles
Sexual Characteristics Primary sexual characteristics: Sexual and reproductive organs Secondary sexual characteristics: Features other than genitals and reproductive organs (breasts, facial hair, etc.) that appear at puberty Menarche: Onset of menstruation
Some More Terms to Know Ovulation: Release of ova (eggs) from the ovaries Menopause: End of monthly menstrual cycles; usually occurs in the late 40 s or early 50 s
Sexual Orientation Degree of emotional and erotic attraction to members of the same sex, opposite sex, or both sexes Heterosexual: Romantically and erotically attracted to the opposite sex
Sexual Orientation Bisexual: Romantically and erotically attracted to both men and women Homosexual: Romantically and erotically attracted to the same sex Homophobia: Prejudice, fear, and dislike directed at homosexuals
Gender Roles Gender roles: Favored pattern of behavior for males and females e.g., girls are expected to be sensitive, and boys dominant Gender roles appear to be learned
Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and Androgyny BSRI: Created by Sandra Bem Consists of 60 personal traits, 20 each for masculine, feminine, and neutral Androgyny: Having both masculine and feminine traits in a single person Androgynous individuals are more adaptable in our society Rigid gender stereotypes can restrict behavior, especially males
Sexual Behavior and Arousal Erogenous zones: Areas of the body that produce pleasure and/or provoke erotic desires (genitals, breasts, etc.) Sex drive: Strength of one s motivation to engage in sexual behavior
Sexual Behavior (cont) Castration: Surgical removal of the testes or ovaries Sterilization: Surgery (vasectomy or tubal ligation) to make a man or woman infertile Masturbation: Self-stimulation of the genitals that causes sexual pleasure or orgasm
Human Sexual Response: Masters and Johnson s Discoveries Sexual response can be divided into four phases that occur in the following order:
Excitement Initial signs of sexual arousal
Plateau Physical arousal intensifies
Orgasm Climax and release of sexual excitement Orgasm
Resolution Return to lower levels of sexual tension and arousal
Male Response Ejaculation: Release of sperm and seminal fluid (semen) by the male at orgasm Refractory period: Short time period after orgasm when males are unable to reach orgasm again
Paraphilias Sexual deviations; tend to be compulsive or destructive preferences in sexual preferences or behaviors
Some Paraphilias Pedophilia: Sex with children; child molesting Exhibitionism: Flashing genitals to unwilling viewers Sexual sadism: Deriving sexual pleasure from inflicting pain and/or humiliation Sexual masochism: Deriving sexual pleasure from receiving pain and/or humiliation
Child Molestation Most are males and married Two-thirds are fathers Most molestations rarely exceed fondling Impact of molestation depends on how long the abuse lasts and whether genital sexual acts are involved
Signs of Child Molestation Unusual avoidance of, or interest in, sexual matters Secretiveness (including concerning internet access) Emotional disturbances such as depression, irritability, or withdrawal from family, friends, or school Nightmares or other sleep problems
More Signs of Child Molestation Misbehavior (e.g., unusual aggressiveness, suicidal behavior, or unusual risk taking, like riding bike in traffic) Loss of self-esteem or self-worth
Tactics of Child Molesters Most act alone Most assaults take place in abuser s home Many abusers gain access to the child through caretaking
Tactics of Child Molesters (cont) Children are targeted first through bribes, gifts, and games Abuser tries to lull child into participation through touch, talking about sex, and persuasion (may occur through email or chat rooms) Abuser then uses force, anger, threats, and bribes to gain continued compliance
Double Standard Applying different standards for judging the appropriateness of male and female sexual behaviors
Attitudes and the Crime of Rape Acquaintance (date) rape: Forced intercourse that occurs in the context of a date or other voluntary encounter
Forcible Rape Sexual intercourse that is carried out against the victim s will, usually under the threat of bodily violence Rape is a crime of violence, brutality, and aggression, based on the need to debase others Men can also be subjected to rape
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD s) A disease that is passed from one person to another by intimate physical contact; a venereal disease Asymptomatic: Having a disease while lacking obvious symptoms of illness Makes the disease harder to detect
HIV and AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Sexually transmitted virus that disables the immune system Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): Caused by HIV and often fatal. The immune system is weakened, allowing other diseases and infections to invade the body White blood cell count is often dangerously lowered
STD: Risky Behaviors Sharing drug needles and syringes Anal sex, with or without a condom Unprotected sex (without a condom) with an infected partner Sex with someone you know, or do not know, who has several partners Vaginal or oral sex with an intravenous drug user Having two or more sex partners
Safer Sex Practices Not having sex Not injecting drugs Using a condom Sex with one mutually faithful, uninfected partner Not engaging in sex while intoxicated Reducing the number of sex partners
Sexual Satisfaction (McCarthy, 1995) Elements necessary for a continuing healthy sexual relationship Sexual anticipation Valuing one s sexuality Feeling that you deserve sexual pleasure Valuing intimacy
Ways to Avoid Intimacy (Strong & DeVault, 1994) Don t talk about anything meaningful Never show your feelings Pretend everything is okay, even if you are upset or dissatisfied Always win, never compromise Always keep busy
Ways to Avoid Intimacy (cont) Always be right Never argue Make your partner guess what you want Always take care of your own needs first Keep the television set on
Sexual Dysfunctions Desire disorders: Person has little or no sexual motivation or desire Arousal disorders: Person desires sexual activity but does not become sexually aroused Orgasm disorders: Person does not have orgasms or experiences orgasms too soon or too late Sexual pain disorders: Person experiences pain that makes lovemaking uncomfortable or impossible
Sexual Desire Disorders Hypoactive sexual desire: Persistent, upsetting loss of sexual desire Both aspects must be present Sexual aversion: Persistent feelings of fear, anxiety or disgust about engaging in sex
Erectile Disorder Inability to maintain an erection for lovemaking and intercourse; once known as impotence. Also known as erectile dysfunction
Psychogenic Cause(s) Having psychological and not physical causes
Sensate Focus Type of therapy that directs a couple s attention to natural sensations of sexual pleasure and also builds communication skills
Orgasmic Disorders Female orgasmic disorder: Persistent inability to reach orgasm during lovemaking The woman may reach orgasm during masturbation, however Premature ejaculation: Ejaculation that persistently occurs before the male and his partner want it to occur Squeeze technique: Method for inhibiting ejaculation by compressing the tip of the penis
Sexual Pain Disorders Dyspareunia: Genital pain before, during, and after intercourse Rare in males Vaginismus: Condition where muscle spasms of the vagina make penetration by the penis difficult, painful, or impossible