Even though all persons experience sex in one way or another during their lives, it is surprising to realize how little they actually know about it. In America sex is highly regulated as to time, place, age, what and with whom; considered inappropriate for children, the mentally and physically challenged, the very old, the very ugly; and thought of negatively, as in the "innocence of children", the "dirty" joke. What is wrong with sex?
In this section, we will consider five perspectives on sexuality: 1. Historical, 2. Cross Cultural, 3 Cross Species, 4. Psychological, and 5 Sociological. Plus, a brief consideration will be given to religious and scientific viewpoints on sexuality.
 

1. To recognize changed attitudes, values and beliefs about sex over time.
2. To identify and compare different attitudes, values and beliefs about sexuality in different cultures.
3. To indicate how humans are similar and different from other species in their sexual behavior.
4. To define the terms sex and gender.
5. To identify elements of psychological theories on sexuality.
6. To identify elements of sociological theories on sexuality.
7. To recognize some of the ways in which sexologist do research.
8. To assess the validity of research about human sexuality.
9. To contrast and compare religious and scientific viewpoints on sexuality.
 

TEXTBOOK
Read Chapter 1. Sexuality in Perspective
Read Chapter 2. Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality
Read Chapter 3. Sex Research

VIDEO: The Human Sexes: Different But Equal
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8307598817089464838#

The performance of the basic procreative sex act obviously does not require any formal knowledge of sexual anatomy. Even accomplished lovers do not need to know much about the physiological/biological details of the sex organs. However, basic knowledge of sexual anatomy is indispensable in understanding sexual functions and in making intelligent, informed decisions about matters involving human sexuality, e.g., babies and diseases.
This section examines the anatomical (structure) and physiological (function) information, as to the similarities/differences between the sexes.

1. To identify the structure and function of male sexual anatomy
2. To identify the structure and function of female sexual anatomy.
3. To recognize and compare two sex hormones in the female and male.
4. To compare and contrast the similarities between male and female sexual anatomy
5. To define the terms, per female anatomy: vagina, urethra, ovary, cervix, uterus.
6. To define the terms, per male anatomy: penis, vas deferens, scrotum, testes.
 

TEXTBOOK
Read Chapter 4. Sexual Anatomy
Read Chapter 5. Sexual Hormones and Differences...
 

The ovum is one of the body's largest cells; the sperm, the smallest. The union of the sperm and the egg and the mixing of the genetic material of the two cells takes 24 hours. This process begins nine months of development that is divided into three-month phases or trimesters. Most Americans want and expect to have children, but not all. In 1965, it became legal to sell contraceptive devices in this country; however, Americans still have the fewest choices available. However, in 1998 two additional contraceptives became available to American woman: the pill-in-a-kit and IU 486. And for 1999, the birth control pill for males.
The events and experiences that may or may not culminate in the birth of a child are the subject of this section.

1. To describe and differentiate between the processes of fertilization and conception.
2. To identify various types of reproductive technologies.
3. To trace the physical and psychological changes which occur in the mother and developing organism during each of the three trimesters.
4. To identify and compare a number of childbirth methods, e.g., Cesarean, LeBoyer, Lamaze.
5. To identify and evaluate a variety of methods of birth control, both from an historical and present day perspective.
6. To identify, compare and contrast the procedures, advantages and disadvantages of currently available abortion methods.
7. To specify and contrast the various social and psychological viewpoints of the "pro life" and the "pro choice" continuum of the debate on abortion.

TEXTBOOK
Read Chapter 6 Conception, Pregnancy and Childbirth
Read Chapter 7 Contraception and Abortion
 

VIDEO: The Human Sexes:  The Maternal Dilemma
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3191614243412356306#

Section One: Perspectives on Sexuality
#1.  "Trains Are For Boys"
Here is a true story.  A man tells his son whose wife is pregnant, “Your mother and I saved your electric train from when you were a kid.  If you and Mary have a son, we’ll send it to you so that he can play with it when he gets older.”  The son says “Dad, are you telling me that if we have a girl you won’t send it for her to play with?”  His father replies, "Why would you want to screw up a little girl’s development?”  Comment.

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#2.  "Men are 'ever ready', Women Are 'choosy'."
Men are sometimes stereotyped as being “ever ready” for a sexual encounter, and women as more “choosy” about when and with whom they will have intercourse.  Do you think these stereotypical differences are more biological or psychosocial in origin?  Or could they be both?

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Section Two:
#3. "Private Nudity"
Speculate why in our society females generally have more privacy than males in situations of nudity?

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#4. "Feminine Hygiene vs. Men's Hygiene"
Many feminine hygiene products, including genital deodorants, are marketed for women.  Why do you suppose similar products have not been developed and marketed for men?

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Section Three:
#5. "Infertile Feelings"
Describe thoughts and feelings that might surface in a relationship when one partner learns that the other is infertile.

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#6. "Free Condoms"
In some areas, high school and college clinics make condoms available to students at low or no cost.  What is your opinion of this practice?  Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this practice.

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3. condom
4. withdrawal
 

2. According to the text, which of the following is true concerning attitudes about masturbation. Almost all societies:
1. recommend it be taught to children
2. encourage it during adolescence
3. condemn it at any age
4. it is more common among females
 

3. According to sociobiologists, human sexual behaviors are primarily the result of:
1. observational learning
2. personal experience
3. evolution
4. cultural influences
 

4. Freud's term for the sex drive or sex energy is:
1. thanatos
2. the pleasure principle
3. the id
4. libido

5. Purposeful distortion and the effect of memory are least problematic in:
1. survey research
2. interviews
3. questionnaires
4. observational research
 

6. Masters and Johnson initially used _____ in their research.
1. prostitutes
2. students
3. divorced persons
4. married persons
 

7. Which of the following is not an internal organ of the female?
1. uterus
2. vagina
3. fallopian tubes
4. perineum
 

8. The area surrounding the nipple on the breast is the:
1. mammary gland
2. follicle
3. areole
4. oviduct
 

9. Sperm may arrive at the egg as soon as _______ after ejaculation.
1. 5 minutes
2. 10 minutes
3. 1 hour
4. 24 hours

9. The cesarean section may be required if:
1. there is an Rh incompatibility
2. the umbilical cord prolapses
3. the cervix is not dilating
4. all of the above

10. Margaret Sanger is known for her work in:
1. raising feminist objections to episiotomies
2. the birth control movement
3. introducing the psychoprophylactic method of childbirth in the U.S.
4. organizing the La Leche League

ANSWERS: (1) 1, (2) 4, (3) 3, (4) 4, (5) 1, (6) 1, (7) 2, (8) 3, (9) 3, (10)2