LEARNING PAPER

HUMAN SEXUALITY

Submitted by:

Monica L. Borja
Objectives

 Examine cultural and historical influences on human sexuality.

 Learn why sexuality is vital in a person’s total personality.

 Identify the different dimensions of sexuality and its influence to individuals.

 Understand different attitudes associated with sex and sexuality

 Define sexual inequality in various societies

About Human Sexuality

Human sexuality is a part of the total personality of a person. It involves the

interralationship of biological, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions. The
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) defines
human sexuality as encompassing the sexual knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, values, and
behavior of individuals. Its various dimensions include the anatomy, system, identity,
orientation, roles, and relationships. The expression of sexuality is influenced by
ethical spiritual, cultural, and moral concerns. (SIECUS, 2012). The Alberta Society
for the Promotion of Sexual Health (ASPSH) indicates that sexuality means many
things: feelings about ourselves, roles we play in society, and reproduction. It is not
limited to how we behave sexually. It is the total of our physical, emotional, and
spiritual responses, thoughts and feelings. Sexuality is more about who we are than
about what we do (ASPSH, 2011). Sexuality is a natural part of life. The concepts of
human sexuality are learned. Human sexuality involves at least three dimension--
biological, psychological, and sociocultural. The interactive relationship of these
dimensions describes an individual’s total sexuality. “Human sexuality ” refers to
people’s sexual interest in and attraction to others; it is the capacity to have erotic or
sexual feelings and experiences. Human sexuality can be understood as part of the
social life of humans, governed by social norms, implied rules of behavior, and the
status quo. Society’s views on sexuality have changed throughout history and are
continuously evolving. Each society has different norms about premarital sex, the age
of sexual consent, homosexuality, masturbation, and other sexual behaviors.
Individuals are socialized to these norms from an early age by their family, education
system, peers, media, and religion. With the advent of patriarchal societies, gender
roles around sexuality became much more stringent, and sexual norms began focusing
on sexual possessiveness and the control of female sexuality. The United States is
relatively restrictive compared to other industrialized nations when it comes to its
citizens’ general attitudes about sex when. The messages that children are taught
about sex play an important role in how they will grow into their sexual selves and
express (or not express) their sexual motivations. How, what, when, and by whom
children should be taught about sex is a matter of great debate in sex education.

Background

Throughout time and place, the vast majority of human beings have participated
in sexual relationships (Broude 2003). Each society, however, interprets sexuality and
sexual activity in different ways. Human sexuality can be understood as part of the
social life of humans, governed by implied rules of behavior and the status quo. The
sociocultural context of society—which includes all social and cultural factors, from
politics and religion to the mass media—not only creates social norms, but also places
major importance on conformity to these norms. Norms dictate what is considered to
be acceptable behavior; what is considered normal or acceptable in terms of sexual
behavior is based on the norms, mores, and values of the particular society. Sexuality
across cultures: Different cultures vary in how they understand sexuality and in what
they deem to be acceptable or normal.

Different cultures vary in regard to norms, including how they understand and
perceive sexuality, how they influence the artistic expression of sexual beauty, how
they understand the relationship between gender and sexuality, and how they interpret
and/or judge particular sexual behaviors (such as premarital sex, the age of sexual
consent, homosexuality, masturbation, etc.). Societies that value monogamy, for
example, are likely to oppose extramarital sex. Individuals are socialized to these
mores and values—starting at a very young age—by their family, education system,
peers, media, and religion. Sexual norms across cultures: Homosexuality is perceived
differently by different cultures and subcultures. Many of these perceptions are
influenced by religion. Society’s views on sexuality are influenced by everything
from religion to philosophy, and they have changed throughout history and are
continuously evolving. Historically, religion has been the greatest influence on sexual
behavior in the United States; however, in more recent years, peers and the media
have emerged as two of the strongest influences, particularly among American teens
(Potard, Courtois, and Rusch, 2008).

Significance in nursing practice.

Nurses are not only responsible for giving basic health care to clients. One of
the most important nurses’ duty is to care for the client in holistic approach by
means of identifying the biological background of the client especially about their
beliefs, values, cultures that may have an influence about the client’s sexuality.
Nurses need to have an understanding of sexuality as they may have a crucial part
to play in its dynamic progress. Sexuality underpins much of what a person is and
has significance in everyone's life. Through sexuality, people express their most
intimate feelings of individuality and their need for emotional closeness with
other human beings. Sexuality is not just about sexual intercourse, it is about the
concept of people as men and women--about their manliness or femininity.
Sexuality also affects the way people see themselves or would like to be seen,
their appearance and behaviour, and their desire to attract those who matter to
them. It is about the fears and fantasies people have about themselves and others.

Relevance in Nursing Practice

 Many diseases, accidents, illnesses, and their treatments create sexual
dysfunctions and role changes. Rehabilitation nurses are in an excellent position to
address these issues with their clients. To accomplish this, nurses need to overcome
barriers such as cultural and professional stereotyping, and lack of education. Areas of
expertise that the nurses need to develop which promote and maintain patient sexual
health are knowledge of the subject matter, skill in assessing and interviewing. Nurses
must also develop an awareness of beliefs, attitudes and values related to sexuality,
and awareness of how these beliefs, attitudes, and values affect their practice. The
nursing profession's focus is on wellness and holistic care. Rehabilitation nurses have
an important role in assuring that experiencing a disability, having a chronic illness,
or aging does not need to translate into permanent sexual loss or eliminate the ability
to give and receive affection.

Contribution to the current health issues of the patient, family, community, and
global population.

Sexuality is an often willfully overlooked or under-researched area in relation to

health, and yet it is a human experience that exerts a powerful influence on mental
and physical health. Sexuality can affect health-related needs and behaviors, and how
individuals and communities are treated by health care professionals and by health
policies at local, national and international levels. The clearest contribution of
sexuality is that people know more or are aware of what is sexuality is and how I
defines an individual. Understanding sexuality needs more attention now that the
current generation focus more about stereotyping, if only people will learn and
understand what sexuality is, there might be a change in their perceptions about other
sexuality.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Human Sexuality

The first dilemma of sexuality is diversion, because stereotyping is rampant in

today’s society, many people perceive different sexuality as bizarre and because of
that they choose to discriminate without even understanding the deeper meaning of
sexuality. On the brighter side, more people are now being aware of what is the true
essence of sexuality, now people are more welcoming to people with different
sexuality. In conclusion, sexuality will always have a different meaning depending on
how people choose to perceive it. Different sexuality may not be perceived as normal
to others, sexuality only represents the normal forms of human experience.