6 Sexuality Laura MacIntyre

Sexuality Sex and sexuality are important to the study of the family. Sex and sexuality are important areas of interaction within the institutional arena of the family. The family is an institution where sexual behavior between partners is socially acceptable, expected, and regulated. Intimacy sets family relationships apart from all others. Children also learn sexual roles and identities. Sex identification is also fundamental to our core identity.

Sociology and Sexuality Sexuality: Sociology Sociology and Sexuality In the social science of sexuality there are three major areas of study: identities, human biology, and sexual behavior. In the first, the focus is on sexual identity and sexual orientation. Sexual identity is usually male or female, but for some people it is ambiguous or mixed. Sexual identity and sexual orientation are continuums, not fixed oppositional categories, that cover a broad spectrum of sexual behavior. The second area focuses on human biology. Biology provides a point of comparison for looking at sex in the social realm. An understanding of biology helps to explain and compare human sexuality and evolution and to understand the prehistoric origins of today’s behavior patterns (Roughgarden, 2004). The biology of sexuality is also important for studying social issues and sexual behavior related to health. The third area is sexual behavior, which creates the social reality around us. Sociology has a long history of trying to understand sexual behavior using (social) scientific methods.

Sexual Identity and Orientation Sexuality has become an increasingly important aspect of most individuals’ identities in the modern era. Individuals now distinguish between sex for procreation and sex for pleasure (Cocks, 2006). Sex for pleasure has become a socially acceptable pursuit. Gender and sexuality help people figure out who they are.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Orientation Sexual Orientation The idea of physical or chemical attraction is an important element in sexual identity and sexual orientation.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Orientation Definition Sexual Orientation The pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to others in relation to one’s own gender identity The pattern of attraction exists on a continuum that ranges from heterosexual exclusivity to homosexual exclusivity. There are variations in between that represent degrees of bisexuality. Most people embrace a sexual orientation that is either entirely heterosexual (“straight”) or entirely homosexual (gay for men and women; lesbian for women only). Bisexuality is not widely recognized and can be a highly contested category. Asexuality is having no sexual attraction to people of either gender and occurs in about 1 percent of the population (Bogaert, 2004). There are a lot of variations in the patterns of attraction within each group. LGBT(QI) are alternative terms to describe all sexual identity outside of the heterosexual “norm.” Sexual orientation is not the same as behavior. Homosexuality has become more accepted than in the past. Same-gender sexual attraction occurs more commonly among women than among men. Exclusive homosexual behavior and identity occur in less than 5 percent of American adults and is considered uncommon (Chandra et al., 2011).

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Attitudes Attitudes about Sexual Orientation It is difficult to study human sexuality because it is personal and complex.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Stigma Attitudes about Sexual Orientation Stigma It is also difficult to study because there is a stigma associated with homosexuality.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Stigma Definition Attitudes about Sexual Orientation Stigma A quality that is perceived as undesirable an that sets a person apart from others in his or her social category Erving Goffman used the word stigma to describe an “undesirable” quality that sets a person apart from others in his or her social category. Things that are stigmatized are socially constructed as undesirable; they are not naturally undesirable. What is stigmatized in society today might not necessarily be stigmatized tomorrow.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Homophobia Attitudes about Sexual Orientation Homophobia In the case of homosexuality, stigma is partly a result of homophobia.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Homophobia Definition Attitudes about Sexual Orientation Homophobia Fear of, or antipathy toward, homosexuality in general and gays and lesbians in particular This fear contributes to the stigma and creates a social cycle that is difficult to change (Loftus, 2001). The U.S. population is divided between people who think homosexuality is wrong and those who do not. However, the proportion of the population who think homosexuality is “morally wrong” has decreased.

Attitudes toward Behavior Source: Newport and Himelfarb (2013). This graph demonstrates that some of the ways in which homosexuality is viewed in comparison to other types of “moral” behavior. For example, homosexuality is seen as more “acceptable” than teenage sex or extramarital affairs. Conversely, homosexuality is seen as less acceptable than divorce or having a baby outside of marriage.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Compulsory Heterosexuality Attitudes about Sexual Orientation Compulsory Heterosexuality The majority sexual orientation (heterosexuality) is not usually studied or discussed explicitly. What is seen as normal almost requires no explanation.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Compulsory Heterosexuality Definition Attitudes about Sexual Orientation Compulsory Heterosexuality The pressures to conform to the majority sexual orientation and the assumption that everyone is straight until proven otherwise Part of the experience of stigma is the sense of being different and not conforming or being part of the norm.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Coming Out Attitudes about Sexual Orientation Coming Out There is a generational class between older generations who hold more negative views toward homosexuality and the younger generation who grew up in a more tolerant era. This has divided many families. Some gays and lesbians hide their sexual orientation, sometimes referred to as being in the closet.

Sexual Identity and Orientation: Coming Out Definition Attitudes about Sexual Orientation Coming Out Coming out: The process of revealing one’s gay sexual orientation to the significant people in one's life The process of coming out of the closet is when someone makes their true sexual identity known to close family and friends. This process may happen all at once, or it may take a significant amount of time (even years or a lifetime). These stories are called coming out stories and often involve interactions with family members. This process underscores the reality that sexuality is an important aspect of modern identity. Family relationships are often the place where such identities are formed and expressed.

The Biology of Human Sexuality Biology helps us understand human sexuality. Sociologists study the relationship between biology and sexuality, evolution, and the implications of these topics for contemporary families.

The Biology of Human Sexuality: Source of Sexual Orientation Where Does Sexual Orientation Come From? The causes of sexual orientation are not clearly understood even after decades of study. Sexual orientation has many variations and sources of influence, not all of which are understood by science. Most research has focused on explaining homosexuality, not heterosexuality. Heterosexual attraction is assumed to be the norm, and is often explained away using the narrative of the necessity of reproduction and the survival of the species. Although on only one end of the continuum, homosexuality is considered the anomaly. But biological explanations are not simple and can be very problematic.

The Biology of Human Sexuality: Evolution Where Does Sexual Orientation Come From? Evolution and Human Sexuality Sociologists study the interaction between social and biological influences. In general, sociologists view biological forces as having a weaker influence than social forces and try to avoid evolutionary explanations for behavior. The idea of social Darwinism (applying evolutionary theory to explain human society) has been used historically to explain and justify social and gender inequality (Hofstadter, 1944). This explanatory approach uses approaches similar to structural functionalism and does not so much as explain behavior as reinforce and justify it.

Sexual Behavior: Modern Intimacy Sexual behavior is less constrained now than it has been in the past Cohen gives three reasons With advances in modern birth control, sexual activity has been “freed” from being primarily connected to reproduction. The greater acceptance of sex outside of marriage has reduced the amount and number of social sanctions imposed on those who engage in extramarital sex. The growing independence of young adults from parents has weakened the ties of parental supervision . Engagement with sexual behavior is now seen as more personal and intimate, and not merely a social requirement of reproduction. The transformation from the family as a formal, economic arrangement to the family as a loving, intimate “safe haven.” Sexuality and intimacy have become a modern aspect of family life. Sexual constraints are still greater for women because of the ideology of separate spheres.

Sexual Behavior: Sex and Marriage Modern Intimacy Sex before Marriage Sex outside of marriage continues to become an increasingly accepted practice. Sexual compatibility and quality became increasingly important to modern husbands and wives. There are some common patterns to this behavior that have been identified by contemporary social research in the last generation Sex comes before marriage. Men have more partners than women. Having many partners is relatively uncommon. Sex without consent is relatively common.

Sexual Behavior: Sex before Marriage Modern Intimacy Sex before Marriage Sex comes before marriage. A full 95 percent of Americans are now having sexual intercourse before marriage (Finer, 2007.) This is not so much a function of individuals having sex at a younger age, but more because more people are getting married at older ages after having sex in their teens and early 20s. However, most sexual activity still takes place between people who are in long-term relationships, and there is often an expectation of fidelity (monogamy). It is also noted that some of the individuals who engage in sexual activity outside of marriage may be merely having exclusive sex with potential spouses. People in married, cohabitating, or long-term dating relationships generally expect monogamy and commitment (Treas, 2004).

Sexual Behavior: Partners Modern Intimacy Sex before Marriage Sex comes before marriage. Men have more partners than women. The average age of first intercourse is approximately 17 years for both men and women. But men have a higher number of partners, especially as they transition through adulthood.

Median Number of Lifetime Sexual Partners Source: Chandra et al. (2011). Data are for opposite-sex partners only and include oral sex, anal sex, and vaginal intercourse. By the time men are in their late 30s, they have had approximately seven sexual partners on average, compared to four or fewer partners on average for women.

Sexual Behavior: Many Partners Modern Intimacy Sex before Marriage Sex comes before marriage. Men have more partners than women. Having many partners is relatively uncommon. Despite the increasing acceptance of individual sexual freedom, on average, having many partners is still relatively uncommon. Only 10 percent of men and 7 percent of women ages 15–44 report having three or more partners in the previous year (Chandra et al., 2011).

Sexual Behavior: Sex without Consent Modern Intimacy Sex before Marriage Sex comes before marriage. Men have more partners than women. Having many partners is relatively uncommon. Sex without consent is relatively common. Unfortunately, it has been found that sex without consent is relatively common Among women age 15–44, 23 percent report that they have been forced to have intercourse (Chandra et al., 2005). Also, 10 percent of women and 5 percent of men report that “they really didn’t want it to happen at the time” when talking about intercourse for the first time, especially when it happened at a young age (Abma, Marinez, & Cohen, 2010). Chapter 12 examines the issues of rape and domestic violence within families and among dating partners in greater detail.

Sexual Behavior: Sexual Double Standard Modern Intimacy Sex before Marriage The Sexual Double Standard A common assumption or stereotype in society is that women are more passive and sexually inhibited. Men are thought to be more performance and achievement oriented and to take pride in having many sexual partners. This unequal treatment of men and women when it comes to sexual stereotypes contributes to a moral standard that punishes women for going against the norm of passivity.

Sexual Behavior: Sexual Double Standard Definition Modern Intimacy Sex before Marriage The Sexual Double Standard Sexual double standard: the practice of applying stricter moral or legal controls to women’s sexual behavior than to men’s Historically, this included several informal codes for women, including, but not limited to the following Women must not initiate sex. Women must be passive sexually. Women should not have multiple sex partners. Women should only have sex within the confines of marriage. Sex does not need to be enjoyable for women. Alternately, men were (or still are) expected to be more promiscuous. The double standard has become less prevalent but is still a prevailing sentiment in many areas and within many communities. Many individuals still apply the double standard, but to varying degrees.

Sexual Behavior: Relationships Modern Intimacy Sex before Marriage Sex in Long-Term Relationships, and Not There has been an increase in the importance of emotional expression within marriage in the modern era. There has also been an increase in access to birth control, sex education, and legal abortion. Individuals are more free to experiment socially with sexual behavior and activity. Married couples are more physically and spatially separated from children and other family members and have more overall privacy. Individuals tend to have fewer children. There are more families living in single, detached suburban homes. apart from additional relatives. Physical separation from children and other family members More and more children having their own rooms Condemnation of infidelity remains almost universal in opinion surveys (support of monogamy). Formal and informal controls on individual behavior Sex is an important aspect of marriage, but it is not the only concern. Married people have more sex on average than single people and report higher satisfaction.

Teen Sex The use of the term teen sex implies unmarried sex or sex outside of marriage. Teen sexual activity is generally viewed as a social problem. Society tends to view it negatively. Cohen identifies two important reasons why the topic of teen sex needs further scrutiny and more refined definitions and analysis. The facts around teen sex are complicated. An understanding of the consequences of teen sexuality depend upon its context. The proportion of teenagers having sex has fallen in recent decades, but the nature of that sexual activity has changed in important ways. Also, different behavior is concentrated within different groups (social, racial, ethnic, class, etc.).

Teen Sex: Adolescence Adolescence The term teen sex itself is not well defined, at least in as used to understand social phenomena. Some teenagers are married. Some individuals exhibit irresponsible or immature sexual behavior even into their later years. A better approach to the study of teen sexual behavior would be to classify it in terms of a stage of development in the life course. Adolescence is a more appropriate category for describing sexual activity in the years between puberty and marriage.

Teen Sex: Adolescence Definition The period of development between childhood and adulthood Individuals are getting married at a later age. Sex before marriage is more common than it was 100 years ago. Marriage used to be the marker by which it was deemed acceptable to become sexually active. This marker is now outdated. For Cohen, the term teen sex is better described as: “sex involving unmarried people ages 13 to 18” (which is the group to whom most people are referring when using this term). It is also important to note that this term is describing voluntary sex between adolescents (teenagers), and not rape or sex between teenagers and adults.

Teen Sex: What’s Going On? Teen sex is a behavior that many individuals view as widespread and probably increasing. However, the proportion of adolescents having sex has actually fallen in past decades. Fewer high school students are having sex (assessed by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a major national survey conducted every two years by the federal government). Among those who are sexually active, condom use has increased.

Teen Sex: Teen Sexual Behavior Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). This figure shows teen sexual behavior among 9th to 12th grade students, from 1991 to 2011. It charts those who have ever had intercourse and condom use. It is also important to note that teenage sexual activity is more common among groups disadvantaged by income, education, or race (Treas, 2004). New technology and an increasing hypersexualized environment for adolescents are also growing concerns.

Teen Sex: Cost? What’s Going On? At What Cost? Unmarried teenage pregnancy is the primary concern with regard to teenage sex Having children early in life can increase social obstacles. The growing acceptance of single motherhood, the increased availability of birth control (in general), and access to legal abortion have made significant contributions to lowering the teen birth rate.

Teen Sex: Pregnancies per 1,000 Teens Source: Ventura et al. (2012). Teen pregnancy was declared a national crisis by president Bill Clinton in 1995. However, since then the rate of teen pregnancy has declined. This is attributed to lower rates of adolescent sexual activity, but also improved use of birth control (Guttmacher Institute, 2006). Efforts to encourage abstinence have not been successful (see the following three slides, on sex education). Teen pregnancy remains a concern, but it is a part of a much larger set of social issues.

Sex Education Sex education is politically divisive. Sociologist Kristin Luker (2006) identified two sides of the sex education debate. There are individuals who see sex as normal, natural, and only harmful if it is obscured by ignorance. These individuals advocate for comprehensive sex education in schools On the other side of the debate are those individuals who view sex as sacred, connected to religion, and only sanctioned in the interests of procreation. These individuals believe that teaching about safe sex gives adolescents permission to become sexually active. In what has become a movement, they advocate for the teaching of abstinence.

Sex Education: Abstinence Abstinence First, Abstinence Only There has been a movement for abstinence, particularly among conservative political activists. This movement is called abstinence-only education. Its premise is that abstinence is the only acceptable subject to teach to adolescents about sexuality and sexual behavior. Moreover, teaching about sexuality will only promote sexual activity in youth. Also, youth culture has become too sexual and sexualized. Sex education in the United States is uneven and varies from state to state. As a result of the push for abstinence-only sex education, the percentage of adolescents receiving birth control information has decreased significantly.

Sex Education: Percentage of Adolescents Receiving Instruction on Birth Control Source: Lindberg, Santelli, and Singh (2006); Martinez, Abma, and Copen (2010). This figure shows the percentage of adolescents receiving instruction on birth control. However, studies of abstinence-only education programs show that adolescents who are given abstinence-only content do not behave differently than those who are not.

Sex Education: Social Chaos Abstinence First, Abstinence Only Preventing Social Chaos Abstinence-only sex education is also based on the belief that talking about sex and sexual language will “trigger social chaos” (Irvine, 2002). It has contributed to a cultural fear and reaction to adolescence and sexuality (especially among youth). However, those who believe that adolescents need a different, more comprehensive sex education worry that an abstinence-only education will contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.

Sexuality and Health Social processes affect health. The dynamics of the institutional arenas of the state, the market, and the family affect how individuals both perceive and act around health issues. Cohen uses two issues (STIs and erectile dysfunction) to illustrate this.

Sexuality and Health: STIs Sexually Transmitted Infections STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) became more visible in the 1980s with the spread of AIDs. Many clinics now use the term STIs (sexually transmitted infections) to lesson the stigma associated with the term STD and to highlight the importance of treatment and prevention of infections, rather than disease. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which causes AIDS, is often (but not always) sexually transmitted, More than 600,000 Americans have died of AIDS, And as of 2010, Approximately 15,500 Americans die each year (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).

Sexuality and Health: Transmission Categories for New Cases of AIDS Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). Most new cases of AIDS result from men having sex with other men. Among women, the greatest source of new cases is sex with men. Since the 1980s, there have been important advances made in treating AIDS and HIV. Many individuals can live with the disease longer and remain healthier. However, AIDS is still the most lethal of all the STIs. And despite the high profile and impact of AIDS/HIV, other STIs have become more common. Cohen notes that there are three important sociological issues related to STIs (depicted in the next four slides). education social networks inequality

Sexuality and Health: Educating Sexually Transmitted Infections Educating for Sexual Health Sex education is critical in providing individuals with the knowledge they need to take action to prevent STIs. This education should involve parents, teachers, public officials, the media, and young people themselves. The process often attempts to not only provide information, but to also shape behavior. Social marketing is a marketing technique used to promote or discourage certain types of sexual behavior and activity. Sex education involves the intersection of several institutional arenas. The family socializes children (including sex education socialization). The state mandates school policies and programs (which may present an opposing view to the one held by the family). The market sells products that may influence public behavior.

Sexuality and Health: Social Networks Sexually Transmitted Infections Educating for Sexual Health Social Networks The second sociological issue is the role of social networks. Disease and infection can connect individuals who have sex. A network diagram can be useful to sociologists to study the pattern of relationships between people. In the case of behavior linked to sexual activity, a network diagram can be used to show how a particular disease infects and affects a community.

Sexuality and Health: Chlamydia Outbreak Diagram Source: Potterat et al. (2002). Pink and green highlights were added by Cohen. The figure shows a partial outbreak of chlamydia in Colorado in the late 1990s. Each dot represents one infected individual. Each line represents a sexual contact between two people. Understanding the pattern of relationships between people can illustrate how a small number of individuals can have a large impact on a community. Health care workers can also use this information to disrupt the network and slow the spread of the infection.

Sexuality and Health: Inequality Sexually Transmitted Infections Educating for Sexual Health Social Networks Inequality The third sociological issue is inequality. The consequences of illness, disease, and infection are not felt equally by all groups in society. In particular, racial inequalities in relation to sexual health (and health in general) have increased over the recent years. An individual’s sexual health reflects other social factors, such as family structure, access to education, access to health care, and so on.

Sexuality and Health: Erectile Dysfunction Sexually Transmitted Infections Educating for Sexual Health Social Networks Inequality Erectile Dysfunction Erectile dysfunction is defined as “the failure of a man to achieve an erection.” Erectile dysfunction is sometimes known as ED to reduce social stigma. Erectile dysfunction has probably existed throughout history but has only recently been described as a medical condition. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies (and other interests) have attempted to normalize ED. Age is certainly a contributing factor, but there are other social causes as well (smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, etc.). According to Cohen, ED “is one of the most common disorders affecting sexual expression.”

Sexuality and Health: Men’s Erectile Function Source: Selvin, Burnett, and Platz (2007). This figure shows men’s erectile function by age. The question was asked, “How would you describe your ability to get and keep an erection adequate for satisfactory intercourse?”

Changing Technology: The Pill This is a still from the television series Mad Men depicting a woman in the 1960s receiving a prescription for “The Pill” from her male doctor. The pill became the predominant form of birth control in the United States. But there are both positive and negative implications associated with this development. Cohen outlines three major implications. The pill allowed women greater control their own reproduction (and this could be done relatively privately). But many argued that this decreased the man’s responsibility for preventing conception. The pill was more effective at contraception than methods that many women had been using (or avoiding) previously. But while it was relatively effective as a birth control method, it did nothing to prevent and stop the spread of STIs. Some researchers think that may have played a part in the spread of AIDS. The pill is a hormonal birth control method, which can have health risks for women. Thus, the pill is considered to have changed society in many ways (some positive, some negative) and has had a lasting cultural impact.

The Story behind the Numbers: Sexuality between the Genders (Men) For peer instruction (PI) in the classroom, give students the opportunity to answer the question using clickers or colored cards. Results may be displayed to the class, or the results can be postponed until after the peer-sharing process. Have students pair with another student who answered with a different answer . Allow time for discussion (approximately two to three minutes; this time may be modified). Have students share these new answers (again through individual clickers or colored cards). Discuss results as a class. Source: Chandra et al. (2011).

The Story behind the Numbers: Sexuality between the Genders (Women) For peer instruction (PI) in the classroom, give students the opportunity to answer the question using clickers or colored cards. Results may be displayed to the class, or the results can be postponed until after the peer-sharing process. Have students pair with another student who answered with a different answer . Allow time for discussion (approximately two to three minutes; this time may be modified). Have students share these new answers (again through individual clickers or colored cards). Discuss results as a class. Source: Chandra et al. (2011).

Workshop: Sex Education – Percentage of Adolescents Receiving Instruction on Birth Control Where do people get information about sex? There are many different sources, both formal and informal, that provide this information. There is a diversity of educational policies and practices, including some that contradict others. This exercise will demonstrate the variety of ways in which this important information is (and is not) disseminated in our society. Several interesting points of discussion should emerge from looking at the aggregate results of each question with the class. These results should provide ample teachable moments for class discussion.

Workshop: Sex Education When did you first learn about Body development How babies are made Sexual orientations How sex spreads disease How birth control works Using condoms against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) How to refuse sex Abstinence until marriage This workshop may be used as a PI exercise or without preparation . Have students answer these questions before class, having given the topic some personal reflection, and perhaps having gotten input from relatives or others. In class, students may break into pairs (or groups of any number at the instructor’s discretion) to discuss their findings with each other. Group discussions can be done either before or after the questions on the following nine slides are posted to the class. One preview slide is provided to give students an overview of all of the questions before conducting the entire survey. The results may be shared or discussed with the entire class.

Workshop: Sex Education 1 1. How did you first learn about body development? parent other relative friend or peer school media or other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

Workshop: Sex Education 2 2. How did you first learn about how babies are made? parent other relative friend or peer school media or other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

Workshop: Sex Education 3 3. How did you first learn about sexual orientations? parent other relative friend or peer school media or other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

Workshop: Sex Education 4 4. How did you first learn about how sex spreads disease? parent other relative friend or peer school media or other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

Workshop: Sex Education 5 5. How did you first learn about how birth control works? parent other relative friend or peer school media or other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

Workshop: Sex Education 6 6. How did you first learn about how to use birth control? parent other relative friend or peer school media or other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

Workshop: Sex Education 7 7. How did you first learn about using condoms against STIs? parent other relative friend/peer school media/other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

Workshop: Sex Education 8 8. How did you first learn about how to refuse sex? parent other relative friend or peer school media or other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

Workshop: Sex Education 9 9. How did you first learn about abstinence until marriage? parent other relative friend or peer school media or other Have students answer each sex education workshop question using clickers. Ensure anonymity and make it clear to students that their answers will be kept strictly anonymous. Display aggregate results to the class.

1. What is the sexual double standard? Review Question 1 1. What is the sexual double standard? putting stricter controls on women’s sexual behavior than on men’s the general pattern of men having more sexual partners than women the general pattern of women having more sexual partners than men the practice of schools teaching both comprehensive and abstinence-only sex education Answer: A Discussion: In our society, women are often assumed to be more passive and sexually inhibited while men are often assumed to be more oriented toward performance and taking pride in having a large number of sexual partners. These assumptions create a moral standard that views women who pursue sex for pleasure as morally corrupt. There are more legal controls on women’s sexuality as well as the pressures of social norms to conform to a passive and monogamous sexuality. This attitude is changing slowly.

2. Compulsory heterosexuality is the Review Question 2 2. Compulsory heterosexuality is the assumption that everyone is straight and the pressure to conform to this norm. law that punishes homosexuality and the public support of this law. biological basis for sexual orientation. fear of homosexuality. Answer: A Discussion: Because heterosexuality is assumed to be the norm, many laws, policies, personal interactions, and social norms assume that everyone is heterosexual and also pressure individuals to conform.

Review Question 3 3. Teen boys tend to report higher self- esteem and more popularity than teen girls if they are sexually active. This is an example of adolescence. statutory rape. promiscuity. the sexual double standard. Answer: D Discussion: Social norms concerning sex and sexual activity for boys and men encourage and condone sexual activity and even having high numbers of sexual partners. Conversely, girls and women are viewed negatively when they are sexually active, particularly when they have multiple partners or pursue men. These norms focus on heterosexual encounters and further reinforce heteronormativity.

Review Question 4 4. John is poor, a high school graduate, and he smokes. These ______ may explain his erectile dysfunction. biological factors medical factors social factors gender factors Answer: C Discussion: While age is the primary cause of erectile dysfunction, social factors also play an important role. Men with lower education may also have lower general health.

Review Question 5 5. For Sam, the process of ______ took many years while he told his close friends, family, work colleagues, and others that he is gay. Carla, on the other hand, did not have to go through this process because she identifies as heterosexual. homophobia coming out stigma evolution Answer: B Discussion: Coming out is the process of telling significant people that one is gay. People who identify as heterosexual do not have to come out because their sexual orientation is assumed.

Review Question 6 6. On average, married people have ________ sex and report ________ levels of satisfaction than unmarried people. more; higher more; lower less; higher less; lower Answer: A Discussion: While single people may seem to have more options for sexual partners, married people have easier access. Higher satisfaction among married couples may be related to greater trust, fewer concerns about pregnancy, and the important emotional expression within marriage.

Review Question 7 7. Victorian Moralists were concerned that the “epidemic” of male sexual self- satisfaction (masturbation) would result in increased marital satisfaction. blindness. extramarital affairs. elimination of the need for family relationships. Answer: D Discussion: Victorian moralists were afraid that the increased emphasis on sexual pleasure and sexual gratification would encourage men to masturbate. They reasoned that if men could gratify themselves sexually, they would no longer have need for a wife. This same reasoning did not apply to women and, in fact, sometimes doctors treated female “hysteria” by bringing women to orgasm as a medical procedure.

This concludes the Lecture Slide Set for Chapter 6 by Philip Cohen © 2014 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. Independent and Employee-Owned