Sexual self

• Sexual self


  An individual's understanding, perception, and expression of their sexuality, desires, preferences, and identity
• Sexual self


  • Encompasses how one perceives themselves in relation to their gender, sexual orientation, desires, fantasies, and personal boundaries
  • Involves both the physical and emotional aspects of sexuality, including one's attitudes, beliefs, experiences, and behaviors related to sex and intimacy
• Sexuality


  A complex and multifaceted aspect of human identity that encompasses a range of factors, including biological, physical, emotional, social, and cultural elements. It's not just about sexual behavior but also includes sexual orientation, gender identity, attraction, desire, and sexual expression and behavior.
• Sex


  The biological characteristics that define organisms as male or female. In humans, it involves physical and genetic traits, including reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones, and secondary sexual characteristics.
• Primary sexual characteristics


  • The physical traits directly related to reproduction. In males, these include the penis, testes, and structures involved in sperm production. In females, they involve the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina. These primary characteristics are present at birth or during puberty and are directly involved in the reproductive process.
• Understanding and acknowledging genital diversity is important for promoting body positivity, reducing stigma, and helping individuals recognize the natural range of human anatomical variation. It also plays a role in education, ensuring that people have accurate information about their bodies and can appreciate the normalcy of differences in genital appearance.
• Secondary sexual characteristics


  • The physical traits that differentiate between males and females but are not directly involved in reproduction. In males, examples include facial hair, deepening voice, and increased muscle mass. In females, secondary sexual characteristics involve breast development, widened hips, and the growth of body hair. These traits develop during puberty under the influence of hormones and play a role in attraction and mate selection but are not essential for reproduction itself.
• Sex hormones


  Chemicals that primarily influence the development and function of reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics. These hormones are produced in specific glands such as the ovaries and testes, with smaller amounts produced in the adrenal glands for both sexes. They regulate sexual development and behavior and influence various physiological processes beyond reproduction, such as bone health, metabolism, and mood.
• Main sex hormones in humans


  • Estrogens
  • Androgens
  • Progesterone
• Differences of Sexual Development (DSD)


  A medical or diagnostic term often used by healthcare professionals to describe a wide range of conditions where the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical.
• Intersex


  An umbrella term that encompasses a diverse range of natural variations in sex characteristics, including chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical differences that don't fit typical definitions of male or female. It's a broader and more inclusive term that also considers the social, cultural, and personal aspects of living with atypical sex characteristics. It's often used by advocacy groups and individuals to describe their lived experiences and identity.
• DSD/Intersex variations


  • Chromosomal
  • Gonadal
  • Anatomical
• The brain's involvement in sexual behavior

  • Desire and Arousal: Regulates sexual desire and arousal
  • Hormonal Regulation: Governs the release of hormones involved in sexual function
  • Orgasm and Satisfaction: Coordinates the experience of orgasm and contributes to feelings of satisfaction
  • Emotional and Psychological Factors: Significantly impacts sexual behavior through the limbic system's influence on emotions and memory
• Sexual orientation


  An individual's emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others. It encompasses a spectrum including heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, and asexuality.
• Heterosexual


  • Taylor Swift
  • Daniel Radcliffe
  • Kathryn Bernardo
• Homosexual


  • Ice Seguerra
  • Jim Parsons
  • Ellen DeGeneres
• Asexual


  • Isaac Newton
  • Nikola Tesla
  • Marilyn Monroe
• Contrary to popular belief, the sex of an individual does not determine their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Gender identity


  The gender that an individual personally identifies with and the way they express their gender through behavior and personal appearance. It can include cisgender, transgender, and non-binary/genderqueer identities.
• Transgender


  • Kevin Balot
  • Ice Seguera
  • Jake Zyrus
• Genderqueer


  • Demi Lovato
  • Cara Delevingne
• Gender expression


  The external presentation of an individual's gender identity, encompassing how someone expresses their sense of gender through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, mannerisms, voice, or other outward attributes.
• Types of gender expression


  • Feminine
  • Masculine
  • Androgynous
• Gender identity is linked to one's personal understanding and expression of their identity.
• Masculine


  Presenting oneself in a manner traditionally associated with masculinity, which may involve wearing typically male clothing, having a certain haircut, displaying assertive behaviors, or adhering to societal expectations of masculinity
• Androgynous


  Blending aspects of both traditional feminine and masculine presentations or deliberately expressing oneself in a way that doesn't conform to binary gender norms. Androgynous expression can involve clothing, hairstyles, and behaviors that are a mix of both genders
• Understanding and expressing gender identity


  1. Begins at an early age

  2. Parents assume the gender identity of their baby and make choices for their child regarding how they express their gender identity

  3. Once the child is old enough to express themselves, they may continue to express their gender accordingly or identify with another gender

  4. Parents should be open to each of these possibilities
• Gender identity


  One's personal understanding and expression of their identity. It does not determine the sexual orientation of an individual
• Understanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) stands as a cornerstone of fostering inclusivity, equality, and compassion within society
• Gender Roles


  Societal expectations, behaviors, and attitudes that are typically associated with individuals based on their perceived or assigned gender. These roles are often culturally defined and can vary across different societies and historical periods
• Gender Stereotypes


  Oversimplified and often generalized beliefs or assumptions about the attributes, characteristics, behaviors, and roles that are expected or deemed suitable for individuals based on their gender
• Gender Stereotypes for Males


  • Expected to be strong, assertive, and dominant
  • Encouraged to suppress emotions and show toughness
  • Expected to pursue careers in certain fields like engineering or leadership positions
  • Discouraged from displaying vulnerability or engaging in activities perceived as feminine
• Gender Stereotypes for Females


  • Expected to be nurturing, caring, and empathetic
  • Encouraged to prioritize appearance and beauty
  • Expected to pursue careers in fields like nursing, teaching, or caregiving
  • Discouraged from being assertive or displaying traits associated with leadership that are often seen as masculine
• Sexism


  Discrimination, prejudice, or stereotyping based on a person's sex or gender, typically against women or girls, although it can affect any gender. It encompasses beliefs, attitudes, actions, and institutional structures that perpetuate unequal treatment or reinforce traditional gender roles
• Hostile Sexism


  Overtly negative attitudes or beliefs about a particular gender, including beliefs that one gender is inferior to the other, which might manifest as derogatory remarks, stereotypes, or discriminatory actions
• Benevolent Sexism


  Seemingly positive forms of sexism, such as chivalry or protective attitudes, that still reinforce traditional gender roles and stereotypes, ultimately limiting individuals based on their gender
• Institutional Sexism


  Systemic and structural inequalities embedded in institutions, laws, policies, and practices that disadvantage individuals based on their gender, such as unequal pay, limited access to opportunities, and gender-based discrimination in various spheres
• Sexism perpetuates inequality by reinforcing harmful stereotypes and limiting individuals' access to opportunities, resources, and equal treatment solely based on their gender
• Combatting sexism involves challenging and changing these attitudes, behaviors, and systems that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and bias. Advocacy for equal rights, education, promoting diversity, and creating inclusive environments are crucial steps toward addressing and eliminating sexism
• Triangular Theory of Love


  Developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Robert Sternberg, this theory suggests that people can have varying degrees of intimacy, passion, and commitment at any one moment in time