SEX acts and identities

Weaknesses of Sex Surveys 1. Only Study Self-Reports 2. Sample Size Issues 3. Interviewer Effect 4. Representativeness Issues

Sexual Orientation: Refers to whether an individual is attracted to a sexual partner of the same or opposite sex * Homosexual* Bisexual * Heterosexual*Asexuality

The Myth of a Dichotomous Sexuality “Present-day psychologists and biologists maintain that humans are inherently bisexual; i.e., we all have the latent physiological and emotional structures necessary for responding sexually to either sex” (p. 123).

What you ask and How you ask Matters Janus Study M% F% Report Same-sex Experience Self-Identify as Homosexual 4 2

NHSLS & NORC Surveys (1988/1994) Margin of error: 5% or less F% M% * “had sex W/person of same sex since age 18” * “Homosexual/bisexual identity” * Exclusively same-sex experiences over last year

Structural Functionalist Perspective Norms about what is “appropriate” sexuality servers to meet the needs of larger society by regulating sexual behavior e.g. Incest Taboo

Biological Perspective Human sexual relations are a consequence of biological evolution

Interactionist Perspective The meaning of sexual behavior (including concepts such as hetero-, homo-, and bisexuality) are really constructions of any given society

Is there a Biological Basis for Homosexuality? 1. Brain Structure Differences * LEVAY: Interstitial Nuclei of the Anterior Hypothalamus (INAH-3) 2. Shared Genetic Coding * PILLARD & WEINRICH: twin/family tree studies

Sexual Scripts PATRIARCHAL SEXUAL SCRIPTS: Characterized by beliefs, values, attitudes, and behavior designed to protect male line of descent

Sexual Scripts EXPRESSIVE SEXUAL SCRIPT: Sees sexuality as basic to humanness of both women and men. Results of major social changes- decreased economic dependence by women, concern for population control, and improved birth control methods

Negotiating (Hetero)Sexual Expression 1. Abstinence 2. Permissiveness with Affection

Negotiating (Hetero)Sexual Expression 3. Permissiveness without Affection Individual Reasons a. feelings of desire b. search for physical pleasure c. status enhancement (men) d. hoping it will lead to long-term relationship (women)

Negotiating (Hetero)Sexual Expression 3. Permissiveness without Affection Situational Reasons a. alcohol consumption b. partner’s perceived attractiveness c. peer pressure (men)

Negotiating (Hetero)Sexual Expression 4. The Double Standard (old/original) Women will not have sex before or outside the marriage. (new) Women should not have sex without being “in love” or, at the very least, have less partners than men

Sex as a Pleasure Bond Pleasure Bond: The idea that sexual expression between intimates is one way of expressing the emotional bond between them “Sex is something partners do with each other, not to or for each other” (p 140). 1. Self-Esteem 2. Transcending Gender 3. Communication & Cooperation

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION (STD/STI)

SEXUAL RESPOSIBILITY! 1. Possibility of pregnancy 2. STDs 3. Communication w/ partner 4. Making decisions based on own values