chapter 1 Flashcards
(23 cards)
what is the definition of sex
sex refers to sexual anatomy and sexual behaviour
what is gender
being male or female
what is the definition of sexual behaviour
behaviour that produces arousal and increases the chance of orgasm
where did most information about sexuality come from in the past + elaborate
religion
- diff religions have diff understanding of human sexuality
- sex is regarded and regulated differently in every religion
how does religion influence sexuality and culture?
were programmed to think a certain way and this stems from religious impact:
- religion associated pleasure with sin (western)
- abstinence is preached as sex-ed in some USA states
- encouraged to have many kids
- no contraception (interfering with god)
- heteronormativity
- stigma on gender roles, masturbation, the way you dress
taboos on menstruation, women purity, rules such as needing to have kids and get married
when did the scientific study of sex begin
19th century
- by the 20th, there were massive surveys on human sexual behaviour being conducted everywhere but not in Canada yet
what are the three main ways the media influences sexual behaviour
- cultivation
- agenda-setting
- social learning
what is cultivation (media)
information that is not true
- taking in information and understanding it for better or for worse
(ex: two condoms, porn)
what is agenda-setting (media)
a form of misinformation (inaccurate information that has been tweaked or changed)
- selecting information that works for you and your beliefs
- news is created to target specific crowds and clientele
- taking information out of context
ex: abortion is murder, birth control, using bible for sex-ed
what is social learning
we learn what is acceptable through the internet, we accept it, learn it, and mimic it (especially if it is favourable in our eyes)
- imitating people we admire
ex: mimicking porn
what is a herd vs a horde
herd: doesn’t have a leader, you just follow other people
horde: have leaders that we follow (we are a horde society constantly looking up to authorities)
what is the difference between misinformation and disinformation
misinformation: inaccurate information that has been tweaked or changed
disinformation: completely false information
(hiv is curable, wear two condoms)
what are some things the internet changed about sexuality
- in the past, you had to meet people in person
- beauty standards
- now you can reach out online about sexuality topics
- creates misinformation + disinformation
- revenge porn (using someone’s shit against them)
- chat rooms
- sexting
what is ethnocentrism
tendency to judge other cultures by the standards of our own
what are racial microaggressions
- subtle forms of prejudice attitudes and insults, often done unconsciously
- imply dominance
- invalidate a person
also:
- gender microaggressions
- sexual orientation microaggressions
- etc
what are the rules in inis beag
inis beag:
- sex education is almost non-existent
- women fear menstration
- men think intercourse is bad for health
- nudity is unheard of
- no pre-marital sex
- female orgasm is virtually non-existent
what are the rules in mangaia
mangaia:
- sex is for procreation and pleasure
-13 y/o boys are taught how to pleasure a partner
- boys first sexual intercourse is with an older experienced woman, who teaches him sex positions and orgasm control so that he can give his partner multiple orgasms before he has one
- parents encourage girls to have sexual experiences with multiple men so they can find a husband they are sexually compatible with
what did sexuality look like for indigenous people before European contact vs after contact
before european contact:
- premarital, extramarital and same-sex sex we’re alll respected
- women were encouraged to take initiative
after european contact:
- the abuse and poverty affected sexual behaviour
- indigenous women had high risk of sexual health outcomes (STIs, unwanted pregnancies)
what are the “rules” for canadian immigrants from china, africa, south asia, etc
- men and women have distinct roles in the family
- women have little power in sexual relationships
- men are often permitted to have extramarital affairs
- homosexuality is shameful
- virginity at marriage is highly valued
explain the sexual norms of Marquesans of Polynesia
• Many sexual experiences before puberty
• First sexual experience with older partner
• Mothers are proud of daughters with many lovers
• Marriage after sexual experience
explain sexual norms of Egyptians of Siwa
• Clitoris removed at age 7 or 8
• Intercourse brings shame
• Marriage very early to prevent premarital sex
variations in sexual techniques: sex with same-sex partner
• Same-sex or same-gender behaviour found in many species (typically mammalian)
ex: Sheep, bonobos, Japanese macaques
Cultures vary on view of same-sex behaviour:
• Some forbid it at any age
• Some forbid it only in adulthood
• Some encourage it at puberty
Two general findings:
• Same-sex sexuality is nearly universal
• Same-sex sexuality is never the predominant form of sexual behaviour
explain the nonsexual use of sexual behaviour
- To establish dominance/subordination (e.g., Monkeys after combat)
- Peacemaking (e.g., Bonobos)
- In humans, some examples include:
• Rapists — use sex as an expression of aggression against and power over a man or woman
• Exhibitionists expose themselves to shock and frighten others
• Sex workers use sex for economic reasons
• Couples who make love after a fight — may use sex to signal the end of hostilities
