the sexual self

• Gender


  The socially constructed characteristics of men and women - such as norms, roles, relationships of and between groups of women and men
• Characteristics of gender


  • Women are expected to take care of the family or domestic duties and remain close to home
  • Boys never cry
  • Girls are very emotional
  • Women usually do more housework than men
• Sex


  The different biological and physiological characteristics of males and females - such as reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones, etc.
• Characteristics of sex


  • Women can menstruate while men cannot
  • Men have testicles while women do not
  • Women have developed breasts that are usually capable of lactating (producing milk) while men have not
• Gender roles


  The social and cultural expectations for how people should behave according to their assigned gender
• Gender roles shape the behaviors, attitudes and responsibilities considered appropriate for men and women
• Gender roles may produce stereotyping
• Stereotyping


  A set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong
• Stereotyping can be harmful because it involves making premeditated judgements about others
• Example of gender role

  • Girls and women are generally expected to dress in typically feminine ways and be polite, accommodating, and nurturing while men are generally expected to be strong, aggressive, and bold
• Gender stereotyping


  A preconceived notion of someone based upon their gender
• Gender stereotyping often leads to prejudices that unfairly affects how you perceive and interact with people
• Example of gender stereotyping for men

  • Men don't do household chores
  • Men should be the financial providers for their family
  • Heterosexuality and homophobia: A gay guy is not a real man; Straight guys should not have gay friends
  • Hypersexuality: A real man has as many sexual partners as possible; A real man never says no to sex
• Example of gender stereotyping for women

  • Women should be caregivers
  • Women should be passive
  • Women are quitters
  • Women are weak
  • Women are too emotional
• Sexism


  Prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender
• Sexism can affect anyone, but it primarily affects women and girls
• Sexism has been linked to gender roles and stereotypes, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is intrinsically superior to another
• Examples of sexism


  • Differences still exist regarding which occupations are deemed appropriate for men and for women
  • Sexual harassment: Unwanted sexual attention, the creation of a hostile or abusive environment, or explicit coercion to engage in unwanted sexual activity
• Androgens


  Males sex hormones secreted by the testes that produces secondary sex characteristics, such as the growth of body hair and deepening of the voice, and also increases the sex drive
• Estrogen


  A steroid hormone associated with the female reproductive organs and is responsible for developing female sexual characteristics
• Progesterone


  An endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species
• Ovulation


  The point at which an egg is released from the ovaries and making the chances of fertilization by a sperm cell highest
• Much of what is considered sexually arousing in our society has little or nothing to do with our genitals, but instead is related to external stimuli that, through a process of learning, have come to be labeled as erotic, or sexually stimulating
• There are no areas of the body that automatically produce sexual arousal when touched. It depends on the interpretation given to the touch
• Sexual fantasies also play an important role in producing sexual arousal
• Sexual response cycle


  The sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating activities, including intercourse and masturbation

  
• Phase I: Excitement


  • Muscle tension increases
  • Heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated
  • Skin may become flushed (blotches of redness appear on the chest and back)
  • Nipples become hardened or erect
  • Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of the woman's clitoris and labia minora (inner lips), and erection of the man's penis
  • Vaginal lubrication begins
  • The woman's breast become fuller and the vaginal walls begin to swell
  • The man's testicles swell, their scrotum tightens and begin secreting a lubricating liquid
• Phase II: Plateau


  • The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified
  • The vagina continues to swell from increased blood flow, and the vaginal walls turn a dark purple
  • The man's testicles tighten
  • The woman's clitoris becomes highly sensitive (may even be painful to touch) and retracts under the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the penis
  • Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to increase
  • Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face, and hands
• Phase III: Orgasm


  • Involuntary muscle contraction begin
  • Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at their highest rates, with a rapid intake of oxygen
  • Muscles in the feet spasm
  • There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual tension
  • In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The uterus also undergoes rhythmic contractions
  • In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis result in the ejaculation of semen
  • A rash or "sex flush" may appear over the entire body
• Phase IV: Resolution


  • The interval after orgasm in which the body returns to its unaroused state, reversing the changes brought about by arousal
  • Men need recovery time after orgasm, called a refractory period, during which they cannot reach orgasm again. The duration of the refractory period varies among men and usually lengthens with advancing age