Dimensions of Human Sexuality

Dimensions of
Human
Sexuality
Myth
or
Fact
Human sexuality relates mainly to
biological functioning
(MYTH)
Human sexuality includes a biological

dimension but also includes psychological
and sociocultural dimensions.
(FACT)
Most people are well informed about
human sexuality.
(MYTH)
Unfortunately, most people still relatively

poor knowledge of sexuality. Therefore,
many myths about human sexuality still
exist.
(FACT)
Sexual “normality” is similar among
various cultures
(MYTH)
Sexual attitudes and behaviours differ

greatly among cultural groups. There is
no set standard for “normality”.
(FACT)
What is
human
sexuality?
When you think about human
sexuality, what do you think of?
Some form of physical contact?

Human reproduction?
Feelings when you see an attractive
person?
Human sexuality is all that and more.

Human Sexuality is a part
of you’re your total
personality. It involves the
interrelationship of
biological, psychological,
and sociocultural
dimensions
Encompassing the sexual
knowledge, beliefs, values,
and behaviours of
individuals.
The
Interactive
nature of
sexual
dimensions
A complex set of biological,
psychological, and
sociocultural variables
plays a role in all our sexual
interactions, it is a result of
many factors.
• Sexual arousal is physiological.
• Our body image and feelings of

self-worth may inhibit getting
involved is psychological.
• Religious beliefs affect our sexual

undertakings, as do legal and
ethical considerations.
Biological
dimensions
• The basis of understanding
sexuality is physiological
knowledge about how our bodies
work.
The greater your knowledge, the

more likely you are to take
responsibility for your sexual health.
• According to Fisher, humans
have a common nature, a set
of unconscious tendencies
that are encoded in our genes.
Though we are not aware of
these predispositions, they still
motivate our actions.
• The essence of sexuality is
biological (essentialism).
Essentialism is the belief that once

the cultural and historical aspects are
taken away, the essence of sexuality
is biological.
• Biological dimensions involved:
a. Physical appearance.
Development of physical sexual
characteristics.
b. Responses to sexual stimulation
c. Our growth and development in
general.
• The physiological differences
between the sexes help to lay
the groundwork for the
development of psychological
and social wellness, and our
gender strongly influences our
perceptions of sexual wellness.
Example:
“A man who carries a condom in his
“responsible” and a
wallet is _____________
woman who carries condom in her
“slut”
purse is ______________”.
Multifaceted
dimensions
of gender
• Boys and girls are socialized to play in
different styles and usually learn to
prefer different sets of toys;
• Parents tended to do gender-specific
chores.
• Teenage boys are somehow allowed
to be sexually active.
• Girls are discouraged from such
activities (a concept of double
standard
Girls are encouraged to show
their emotions
Boys learn to suppress emotions
As a result, females generally

became more expressive verbally
than males.
• In a workplace, a woman often earns
less than a man earns (wage gap),
and often faces a tougher time
getting promoted into upper
management (glass ceiling)
• After a woman goes home, she
usually does more household chores
(second shift) than her spouse.
Why are such topics covered in a
human sexuality course?
Because our gender – who we are as

men and women and how we
experience ourselves as male and
female – is an essential component
of our sexuality.
Psychological
Dimensions
• A major psychological factor that
affects our sexual wellness is body
image.
- A positive body image lends itself
to a feeling of overall wellness
- A negative self-image can lead to
drug abuse (use of steroids or diet
pills) or even psychological
disorders (anorexia, bulimia eating
disorder, or muscle dysmorphia)
• A major psychological factor that
affects our sexual wellness is body
image.
- A positive body image lends itself
to a feeling of overall wellness
- A negative self-image can lead to
drug abuse (use of steroids or diet
pills) or even psychological
disorders (anorexia, bulimia eating
disorder, or muscle dysmorphia)
Sociocultural
Dimensions
• The sociocultural dimension of
sexuality is the sum of the cultural
influences that affect our thoughts
and actions.
• This dimension of sexuality is the
sum of the cultural influences that
affect our thoughts and actions,
both historical and contemporary.
• Tiefer in 1995 promotes the idea
of social constructionism which
proposes that sexual identities
and experiences are acquired
from and influenced and modified
by an ever-changing social
environment
People acquire and assemble
meanings, skills, and values from the
people around them.
Social
Influences on
our sexuality
1. Religious Influences
• Religious and spiritual beliefs
influence feelings about morality,
sexual behaviour, premarital sexual
behaviour, adultery, divorce,
contraception, abortion, and
masturbation.
• It can also play a role in use or non-
use of medical services related to
sexuality.
2. Multi-cultural Influences
• Your ability to respect your sexual

partner’s cultural beliefs and
feelings will result in a higher level
of satisfaction for both of you.
• Distinguish between ethnic
background and ethnicity .
• Differences in culture form different
countries.
3. Socioeconomic Influences
• Low-income individuals often

thinking and acting differently than
middle-class individuals, being more
likely to engage in sexual intercourse
at an earlier marriage.
3. Socioeconomic Influences
• The poor have less access to proper

health care birth control, care during
pregnancy, day are for children, and
positive sexual role models.
4. Ethical Influences
• The ethics of sexuality involves

questioning the way we treat
ourselves and other people.
4. Ethical Influences
• Examples of sexually oriented ethical

dilemmas include the following:
 Should I or should I not participate in a certain
sexual behaviour?
 Is it ethical to use a prostitute?
 Is it ethical not to disclose my full sexual
history to a new partner?
 Is it ethical to engage in sexual behaviours
with a person who is underage?
 Is it ethical to use a position of power to
obtain sexual partners.
• How we consider such questions
and ultimately decide what is right
and wrong profoundly shapes our
sexuality. Ethical decision making
underscores the importance of
taking responsibility for your sexual
wellness.
5. Media Influences
• The depictions of sexuality we

encounter in the media are there
mainly to entertain and sell
products. Consequently, the media
do not provide us with realistic
depictions.
5. Media Influences
• TV shows are filled with portrayals

of sexual activity and “double
meaning” comments.
• The music industry has countless
sexual images, words you hear
mostly have sexual content.
6. Political Influences
• Public policy affects our sexual

behaviour.
• Even political elections – including
choosing elected officials and voting
on ballot initiatives
• Political ramifications of election
results.
7. Islamic Influences
• Islam is the world’s fast-growing
religion, and its followers are called
Muslims.
• As with other religions, Muslims
have differing beliefs on many
aspects of sexuality
• Generally, Muslims oppose
intercourse before marriage, but
value it highly within marriage.
7. Islamic Influences
• Both genders are considered to have
high interest in sexual behaviour and
get great satisfaction from it.
• They are encouraged to show
modesty in public by wearing loose-
fitting, body-covering clothing

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Dimensions of

Human sexuality includes a biological

Unfortunately, most people still relatively

Sexual attitudes and behaviours differ

Some form of physical contact?

Human sexuality is all that and more.

• Our body image and feelings of

• Religious beliefs affect our sexual

The greater your knowledge, the

Essentialism is the belief that once

As a result, females generally

Because our gender – who we are as

• Your ability to respect your sexual

• Low-income individuals often

• The poor have less access to proper

• The ethics of sexuality involves

• Examples of sexually oriented ethical

• The depictions of sexuality we

• TV shows are filled with portrayals

• Public policy affects our sexual

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