Chapter 1 Flashcards
(37 cards)
Sex vs. gender
Sex: A person’s ‘biological’
maleness, femaleness,
intersexuality, . . . (From the
Latin Sexus, Secare: to divide
or cut.)
Physical characteristics that
are gonadal, chromosomal,
& hormonal.
Often seen as “differences”
Gender: Nonphysiological
aspects of being female, male,
intersexual, . . . (From the Latin
Genus: kind, sort, or category.)
The behavioural, cultural, and
psychological traits typically
associated with a sex.
Social and cultural
expectations for femininity,
masculinity, androgyny, . . .
Associated with roles one
learns to do which are not
innate to the organism
Affects of medical advances on sex/gender
ie. invention of birth control has allowed us to separate sex and reproduction. sex is no longer just for procreation. gender binary is also become a new idea
Kinseys definition of sex
behaviour that leads to orgasm. Many issues with this ie. no orgasm, oral sex with orgasm, only 1/4 have orgasm from sex
definition of sexual behaviour
defined broadly as behaviour that produces or that is intended to produce arousal
Religion and sexuality
Religion ethics and values have a powerful influence on the attitudes and behaviours of others
each religion has unique views
religion and rumour up until 100 years ago is where people got information about sexuality
ancient greeks and religion
acknowledged both heterosexuality and homosexuality
double creatures myth
Christians and religion
wet dreams resulted from intercourse with spiritual creatures called incubi and succubi
women were tried as witches due to wet dreams
Muslims and religion
sexual intercourse is one of the finest pleasures of life, reflecting the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. sexuality primarily as a source of pleasure and only secondary a means of reproduction, but how the Quran is carried out varies
First gay anglican priest
sexuality was not really talked about and probably viewed as unpleasant
his sexuality went underground when he began studying for the priesthood
feels his career (such as promotions) were denied because they assumed his sexuality, but never directly asked
stay committed to his religion but had sex with males secretly leading to an addiction to alcohol
he now promotes the rights of sexual minorities in the church
almost passed a bill for same-sex marriages
science and sexuality
a scientific study of sex began in the 19th century but religion still affected it
biological aspects had been laid out by Leeuwenhoek who found sperm swimming in human sperm
Hertwig observed fertilization of sperm in sea urchins, ovum in humans was not directly observed until 20th century
cultural context is important
cultural context in the victorian era
rigid and oppressive. husbands with mistresses and molestation of boys
stereotype that women felt no sexual desire but research found 80 percent of women did
Havelock Ellis
important early contribution to sex research
compiled vast collection of information on sexuality, was objective and tolerant for his time
women like men are sexual creatures
sexual variations from the norm were harmless to him
Krafft-Ebing
pathological sexuality or perversions
neither objective or tolerant
created concepts of sadism, masochism, and pedophilia
Hirschfeld
founded first sex research institute and first large-scale sex survey but most info was destroyed by the Nazis
his special interest was homosexuality
1990s
saw a significant increase in research on sexuality in close relationships
timelines
review on phone
ethnocentrism
evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one’s own culture.
Canadian ethnocentrism is more permissive
major generalizations from cross-culture studies
all societies regulate sexual behaviour in some way
ie. incest taboos and rape
Indigenous peoples and sexuality
before colonization:
egalitarian and sexually permissive by European standards, women were encouraged to take the initiative and pre- and extramarital sex was accepted, adults and elders both open to teaching sexuality
two spirited and homosexuals were both respected and accepted
sex is a magical spiritual gift to bring humans pleasure that requires bidirectional respect
after colonization: noble savages are both exotic and erotic, men were nearly naked and muscular but also tender and vulnerable, women have been stereotyped as princesses or squaws (ugly, there to serve others)
influenced by the Judeo-Christian tradition (residential schools) = negative health incomes, STIs, unwanted pregnancy, low birth rate babies, and sexual violence, limited access to health care
sexual behaviour is influenced by the elders of the community
Immigrants within Canada
in 2016 24% Canadians were not born here
influenced by both the country of origin and Canada
east asians less likely to report sexual behaviour
mainstream US youth engage in more risky sex
people of Chinese decent are the fastest-growing ethnic groups in north america = sex is unhealthy and shameful
greater time since immigration the greater the similarity between groups
less experience in the African group
racial microaggressions
old fashioned overt racism is now rare
subtle formed of prejudiced attitudes and behaviours has replaced this as racial microaggressions - can be done unconsciously, a source of stress
ie. i cant be racist i have black friends or other ethnicities have lower IQ
two reasons for cross-cultural studies
1- the notion of the enormous variation that exists in human sexual behaviour and put our own standards in perspective
2- impressive evidence concerning the importance of culture and learning in the shaping of our sexual behaviour and that it is not completely biologically determined
ie all Mandian women have orgasms but not Beag
Variations in culture
- kissing (variation in techniques and frequency) 100% present in middle eastern cultures
- same with intercourse with lowest being the irish while mangaians and santals of Asia might have sex several times a night/day
our rates in Canada are in the middle of these highs and lows
cunnilingus
mouth stimulation of genitals is fairly common
inflicting pain is often common in certain cultures ie. apinaye women bite off eyebrows