Human sexuality

Human sexuality is the capacity of humans to have erotic experiences and responses. A person's sexual orientation can influence their sexual interest and attraction for another person. Sexuality may be experienced and expressed in a variety of ways; including thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles, and relationships. These may manifest themselves in biological, physical, emotional, social, or spiritual aspects. The biological and physical aspects of sexuality largely concern the human reproductive functions, including the human sexual response cycle and the basic biological drive that exists in all species. Physical and emotional aspects of sexuality include bonds between individuals that is expressed through profound feelings or physical manifestations of love, trust, and care. Social aspects deal with the effects of human society on one's sexuality, while spirituality concerns an individual's spiritual connection with others. Sexuality also impacts and is impacted upon by cultural, political, legal, philosophical, moral, ethical, and religious aspects of life.

Human Sexuality (book)

Human Sexuality is a textbook by Simon LeVay and Sharon Valente, first published in 2003 by W. H. Freeman and Company. Subsequent editions have been published by Sinauer Associates, with the fourth edition appearing in 2012. Starting with the third edition, Valente was replaced by Janice Baldwin as a co-author.

Reception

The first edition was well-received and praised for its comprehensiveness and clear writing. The second edition, published in 2006, was described by William Byne as "an exceptional book that addresses nearly every aspect of sexuality from multiple theoretical, historical, and cultural perspectives." The third edition, published in 2009, as well as the fourth edition, published in 2012, were called an "excellent college and introductory graduate textbook".

References

Outline of human sexuality

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human sexuality:

Human sexuality is the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also refer to the way one person is sexually attracted to another person of the opposite sex (heterosexuality), the same sex (homosexuality), or having both tendencies (bisexuality). The lack of sexual attraction is referred to as (asexuality). Human sexuality impacts cultural, political, legal and philosophical aspects of life, as well as it is widely connected to issues of morality, ethics, theology, spirituality, or religion. It is not, however, directly tied to gender.

History of human sexuality

Types of human sexuality