CHAPTER 13: GENDER AND SEXUALITY



CHAPTER 13: GENDER AND SEXUALITY

I. Sexual Development

A. Vocabulary

1. sex – one’s biological classification as female or male.

2. gender – psychological and social characteristics associated with being males or female; defined especially by one’s gender identity and learned gender roles.

B. Female or Male?

1. primary sexual characteristics – sex defined by the genitals and internal reproductive organs.

2. secondary sexual characteristics – sexual features other than the genitals and reproductive organs—breast, body shape, facial hair, etc.

3. menarche – onset of menstruation; a woman’s first menstrual period.

4. ovulation – release of an ovum (egg cell) by the ovaries; ova combine with sperm cells to begin the growth of an embryo.

5. menopause – an end to regular monthly menstrual periods.

6. sex hormones

a. gonads: primary sex glands, testes and ovaries.

b. estrogen: any of a number of female sex hormones.

c. androgen: any of a number of male sex hormones, especially testosterone.

7. dimensions of sex

a. genetic sex: sex as indicated by presence of XX or XY chromosomes.

b. gonadal sex: sex as indicated by the presence of ovaries or testes.

c. hormonal sex: sex as indicated by a preponderance of estrogens or androgens in the body.

d. genital sex: sex as indicated by the presence of male/female genitals.

e. gender identity: one’s personal, private sense of maleness or femaleness.

C. Prenatal Sexual Development

1. X chromosome – female chromosome contributed by the mother; produces a female when paired with another X and a male who paired with a Y chromosome.

2. Y chromosome – male chromosome contributed by the father; produces a male; however, males may give either an X or a Y chromosome.

3. androgen insensitivity – an inherited disorder in which male embryos fail to develop mail genitals because of an unresponsiveness to testosterone; result is female development.

4. sex-linked trait – traits other than sex that are influenced by genes carried on an X chromosomes, rarely on Y.

5. intersexual person – individual who has genitals suggestive of both sexes.

6. androgenital syndrome – inherited disorder that causes the adrenal glands to produce excess androgens sometimes masculinizing developing females before birth.

7. gender identity is shaped by:

a. gender role socialization: process of learning gender behaviors considered appropriate for one’s sex in a given culture.

8. origins of male-female differences influenced by:

a. biological basing effect: hypothesized effect that prenatal exposure to sex hormones has on development of the body, nervous system, and later behavior patterns.

9. gender role – pattern of behaviors that are regarded as “male” or “female” by one’s culture; also referred to as a sex role.

D. Culture

1. gender role stereotypes – oversimplified and widely held beliefs about the basic characteristics of men and women.

E. Female and Male Behavior

1. instrumental behaviors – behaviors directed toward the achievement of some goal; behaviors that are instrumental in producing some effect.

2. expressive behaviors – behaviors that express or communicate emotion or personal feelings.

II. Androgyny

A. Bem Sex Role Inventory – a list of 60 personal traits including “masculine,” “feminine,” and “neutral” traits; used to rate one’s degree of androgyny.

B. (Psychological) Androgyny – presence of both “masculine” and “feminine” traits in a single person.

III. Sexual Behavior

A. Sexual Arousal

1. erogenous zones – areas of the body that produce pleasure and/or provoke erotic desire.

2. sexual script – an unspoken mental plan that defines a “plot,” dialogue, and actions expected to take place in a sexual encounter.

3. sex drive – strength of one’s motivation to engage in sexual behaviors.

4. castration – surgical removal of the testicles or ovaries.

5. sterilization – medical procedures, vasectomy/tubal ligation, that make a man or a woman infertile.

B. Masturbation – producing sexual pleasure/orgasm by directly stimulating the genitals.

IV. Sexual Orientation – one’s degree of emotional and erotic attraction to members of the same sex, opposite sex, or both sexes.

A. Vocabulary

1. heterosexual – a person romantically and erotically attracted to members of the opposite sex.

2. homosexual – person romantically and erotically attracted to same-sex person.

3. bisexual – person romantically and erotically attracted to both men and women.

B. Homosexuality

1. homophobia – a powerful fear of homosexuality.

2. heterosexism – belief that heterosexuality is better or more natural than homosexuality.

V. Human Sexual Response

A. Masters and Johnson – stated that sexual response can be divided into four phases:

1. excitement phase – 1st phase of sexual response, indicated by initial signs of sexual arousal.

2. plateau phase – 2nd phase of sexual response during which physical arousal is further heightened.

3. orgasm – 3rd phase, a climax and release of sexual excitement.

4. resolution – 4th phase, involving a return to lower levels of sexual tension and arousal.

B. Female Response – clitoral versus vaginal orgasms; once described by Freud as “immature” (clitoral orgasms); however Hite’s research found that only 26% of women experienced organisms without involving the clitoris.

C. Male Response – orgasm is accompanied by ejaculation (release of sperm and seminal fluid by the male at the time of orgasm); afterwards it is followed by a refractory period (males are unable to again reach orgasm).

D. Comparing Male and Female Responses

1. women tend to go through the stages more slowly than men:

a. about 10 – 20 minutes for women to reach orgasm (3rd phase).

b. men can go through all 4 stages in as little 4 minutes.

2. in the past, tried to have simultaneous orgasms, no longer favored.

3. slower response in females doesn’t suggest less sexuality; during masturbation 70% of women report reaching orgasms in 4 minutes or less.

4. no relationship has been found between satisfaction and penis size.

5. only 30% of women regularly reach orgasm during intercourse; however, 90% of women have orgasms during masturbation; also women are more capable of multiple orgasm, but only 15% have regular multiple orgasms.

VI. Atypical Sexual Behavior

A. Paraphilias – compulsive or destructive deviations in sexual preferences or behaviors; p. 491.

1. exhibitionism – “flashing” or displaying genitals to unwilling viewers; 35% of all sexual arrests; male and married; from strict & repressive backgrounds; highest repeat rate; and deep sense of inadequacy.

2. child molestation

VII. Attitudes and Sexual Behavior

A. Double standard – applying different standards for judging the appropriateness of male and female sexual behavior.

B. Crime of Rape

1. acquaintance (date) rape – forced intercourse that occurs in the context of a date or other voluntary encounter.

2. rape myths – false beliefs about rape that tend to blame the victim and increase the likelihood that some men will think that rape is justified.

3. forcible rape – sexual intercourse carried out against the victims will and under the threat of violence or bodily injury.

4. statistics – 1/7 report, but more likely ¼; up 80% of rape cases, rapist is friend or acquaintance of victim.

VIII. STDs and Safer Sex

A. Vocabulary

1. STD – disease that is typically passed from one person to the next by intimate physical contact; venereal disease.

2. asymptomatic – refers to a disease while lacking obvious symptoms of illness.

3. HIV – human immunodeficiency virus – sexually transmitted virus that disables the immune system.

4. AIDS – acquired immune deficiency syndrome – often fatal disease caused by HIV infection. In AIDS, the immune system is weakened, allowing other diseases to invade the body.

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