RELATIONSHIPS
OR
RESPONSIBLE SEXUALITY
Sex Vs. Gender
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Sex: Biological condition; male/female
physical, clinical, hormonal differences
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Gender: Defined by society; socialization, cultural, stereotyping
Explanations
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Eunuch:
male deprived of testes;
external genitals
Hermaphrodite: both male and female
reproductive organs
Transsexual:
sexual identity conflict
Bi-sexual:
expressions of sexuality with
both sexes
Transvestite:
cross dresser
Homosexual:
expressions of sexuality with
same sex partners
Transgender:
believes sex does not match body
A Choice of Heroes: The Changing Face
of American Manhood M. Gerzon (1982)
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“Unlike the old archetypes which were
for men only, the emerging
masculinities are not. They are in fact
emerging humanities” page 262.
Male Gender Roles
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Roles are changing
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Frontiersman
Soldier
Expert
Breadwinner
Lord/Master
Healer
Mediator
Colleague
Companion
Nurturer
Committed Relationships
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Marriage
Cohabitation
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legal issues?
Gay and Lesbian Partnerships
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Legal issues (amendment to Nevada
Constitution- what does it mean?)
Gay Marriage (amendment to the US
Constitution – what does it mean?)
Relationships
FRIENDSHIP
LOVE
Acceptance
Respect
Assistance
Confidence
Understanding
Spontaneity
Mutual regard
Trust
Mutual respect
Maturity
Nurturing
Exclusivity
Sexual desire
Giving willingly
Being a champion
Being an advocate
Commitment
Signs of Troubled Relationship
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Change in communication
An increase in the number of
unresolved conflicts
A change in the amount and quality of
time spent together
Emotional or physical abuse
Sexuality: Meanings???
Sexuality
One of our characteristics
Sensual
How we project who we are
Sexy
How others
label us
Sexual Activity
An action
Growing Up
Messages:
In some societies women are isolated while
they menstruate
In some societies women are taboo, not to be looked
at or spoken to during menses under threat of death.
In the old testament it is written that women are
unclean during menses.
Feelings of shame and ignorance of our bodies.
Good girls are to set sexual limits, deny their responses
and hate their bodies.
To Be or Not to Be?
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We are always sexual beings – that’s
the characteristic of sexuality
We are sensual when we choose to
be
We are sexually active when we want
to be
NORMALCY: Sexual
Behaviors
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How do we know what behaviors or
practices are normal?
What or Whose criteria should we
use?
Who should regulate and enforce what
is “good” and what is “bad”?
SEXUAL EXPRESSION
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Range of human sexual expression is
virtually infinite
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How you choose to meet your sexual
needs today may be very different than
two years from now.
Autoerotic behaviors
 Celibacy
 Erotic touching/kissing
 Masturbation
 Oral-Genital stimulation
 Vaginal intercourse
Behaviors are variant not deviant
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MAKING PERSONAL
CHOICES
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Do you feel comfortable with yourself,
your sexuality?
Do you feel limited or bound by
gender-role stereotyping?
You are unique and do not have to
measure up to anyone’s
expectations.