Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Chapter One Choices in Sexuality: An Introduction

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Elements of Human Sexuality - 1 Thoughts The thoughts in terms of interpretation and meaning an individual attaches to a particular sexual act (e.g., intercourse) will influence the subsequent emotions to that sexual behavior. Sexual Self-Concept The way an individual thinks and feels about his or her body, self-evaluation of one’s interest in sex, and self-evaluation as a sexual partner. Values Values are moral guidelines for behavior regarded as right and wrong. Sexual values influence one’s choices and sexual behavior.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Elements of Human Sexuality - 2 Emotions Emotions are feelings and an important element of human sexuality. Although love is a common emotion, guilt, shame, anger, frustration, fear, and disappointment are other emotions that may occur in reference to human sexuality. Anatomy/Physiology Anatomy refers to the external genitalia, secondary sex characteristics, and internal reproductive organs while physiology refers to how the parts work or the functioning of the genitals and reproductive system.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Elements of Human Sexuality - 3 Reproduction Sociobiologists emphasize that much of the sexual interaction that occurs between women and men has its basis in the drive to procreate. Behaviors Intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, breast stimulation, manual genital stimulation, and anal intercourse are all sexual behaviors. Interpersonal Relationships Relationships may be heterosexual or homosexual; nonmarital, marital, or extramarital; casual or intimate; personal or business-related; and brief or long-term.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Elements of Human Sexuality - 4 Diversity Sexual behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and values vary within the same person, between people, and between cultures. Personal Choices: Why Take a Course in Human Sexuality? College students take courses in human sexuality for a variety of academic, personal, and career-related reasons.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Nature of Sexual Choices - 1 Not to Decide Is to Decide Not making a decision is a decision by default. Choices Involve Trade-Offs All the choices you make will involve trade-offs or disadvantages, as well as advantages. Choices Include Selecting a Positive or Negative View Regardless of your circumstances, you can choose to view a situation in positive terms. The skill of developing a positive view can be used in unlimited situations.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Nature of Sexual Choices - 2 Choices Produce Ambivalence and Uncertainty Ambivalence is conflicting feelings that coexist, producing uncertainty or indecisiveness about a person, object, idea, or course of action. Some Choices Are Revocable; Some Are Not Some sexual choices are revocable; that is, they can be changed.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Sexual Values: Guidelines for Sexual Choices Absolutism Belief system that is based on the unconditional power and authority of religion, law, or tradition. Relativism Sexual value which emphasizes that sexual decisions should be made in the context of a particular situation. Hedonism Reflects a philosophy that the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain are the ultimate values and motivation for sexual behavior.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Influences on Sexual Choices - 1 Emotional Influences Love is a powerful emotion that influences sexual choices. Cultural Constraints The society in which you live affects the attitudes you develop about sexuality. Religion As a central element in one’s culture, religion has an enormous on sexual choices.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Influences on Sexual Choices - 2 Previous Decisions Sexual choices are often affected by previous sexual choices. Alcohol and Drug Use Alcohol and drug use affect one’s mood, judgment, and sexual choices. Peers Peers are a major source of sexual knowledge.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Influences on Sexual Choices - 3 Family Factors Various family factors, including family composition and relationships, values, and economic resources, influence sexual choices. Locus of Control An individual’s beliefs about the source or cause (internal or external) of his or her successes and failures Personal Choices: Do You or Other Factors Control Your Sexual Choices? One of the main goals of this text is to emphasize the importance of making deliberate and informed choices about your sexuality.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Making Sexual Choices -1 Basic Decision-Making Steps 1. Clarify values and goals. 2. Understand one’s motives and identify feelings and emotions. 3. Identify and explore alternative courses of action. 4. Seek information that makes the short-term and long-term consequences clear for each choice. 5. Weigh the positive and negative consequences for each alternative. 6. Select an alternative that has maximum positive consequences and minimal negative consequences. 7. Implement one’s decision.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Making Sexual Choices - 2 Important Skills for Decision Making Information-gathering, assertiveness, negotiation, collaboration, and the ability to learn from past experience are all important decision-making skills.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Social Changes and Sexual Choices - 1 Sexuality on Television and in Music A major social change affecting sexuality is the openness with which sex is treated on television shows including music videos. Birth Control Availability The Comstock Act was passed by Congress in 1873 prohibiting the mailing of obscene matter, including advertisements for methods of contraception. Today, birth control is widely available in the United States.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Social Changes and Sexual Choices - 2 Divorce and Cohabitation Individuals who are divorced have more sexual partners than married individuals, and cohabitants are less likely than married persons to be faithful to their partners. Women in the Labor Force Women are becoming increasingly financially independent from men, which has increased their opportunity to delay marriage, to remain single, and to divorce. Social Movements At least three social movements have influenced sexual choices: the sexual revolution, the women’s movement, and the gay liberation movement.

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004 Social Changes and Sexual Choices - 3 Fear of HIV and AIDS One of the most significant social changes affecting sexuality has been the fear of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Reproductive and Medical Technology Many of the sexual choices that individuals face today are not the same as those our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents confronted. Advances in reproductive technology include artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilizations.