SELF Module 7 THE SEXUAL SELF

UNIT II - UNPACKING SELF

MODULE 7 The Sexual Self

WRITER:

MICHELLE R. GARCIA, MSc. CAR

Instructor I

GENERAL EDUCAtion BsBiology- MANILA CENTRAl University, MS Biology CAR

(CtfED-FDP II GRAnt)- Ateneo De MANILA University; SpEd TEACHer,
Currently tAking MEdSped (Units)- DAgupAn STATe University

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URS-IM-AA-CI-0169 Rev 00 Effective Date: August 24, 2020
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module aims to accomplish the following desirable objectives for you to:

1. Gather current related concepts associated with the sexual self, including sex
and gender;
2. Tabulate biological factors and mechanisms that regulates one’s sexual
development and motivation;
3. Create a blog on how youths of today can manifest responsible sexual behavior.

INTRODUCTION

One noteworthy feature of our uniqueness is the sexual self. This embraces your
biological, physical, emotional and social realms primarily embedded in your distinct
physical attributes as a man or a woman. Such transformations in your body occurs
because of the changes in your secondary characteristics during your adolescence.
This event ultimately initiates your physiological reactions notably shaping your beliefs
and behaviors associated with sex.
Your curiosity is much often as it peaks during adolescence. The biological and socio-
cultural forces press you as adolescents to engage in sexual activities to adopt to a
gender orientation as a response. This is the reason why it is significant for you my dear
student to be highly conscious and cautious of your own beautiful sexuality, equally with
your thoughts and behavior which may be useful when you make sound decisions and
responsible choices.
This too will allow you to embrace your sexual self and promote healthier relationships
with yourself and others. Above all, it will help you discover your inner and outer holistic
self which will last a lifetime.

“Self-love is about respecting and appreciating every single part of who

you are and being proud to be you” ~ Miya Yamanouchi
Simply, Miya Yamanouchi, a soulful writer and therapist, tells us that only when we
respect, appreciate and feel proud of our self can we only say we love ourselves.

Let me give you series of statements as part of learning checkpoints of this module
before we proceed with the discussions of the topics on the next pages. Ponder on the
numbered sentences and answer them silently: Do you AGREE or DISAGREE that 1)
We cannot control sexual urges. 2) Our sexuality is purely biological. 3) Sexual
orientation embodies our cognitive, affective and behavior domains. 4) We are born
with sexuality. 5) Sex and gender are the same.

Sexual Self: The Biology of Sex

Let’s talk about sex and clarify myths. Did you know that soon after the egg is fertilized
by the sperm, the development of our reproductive system also begins, roughly, a
month after conception? Quickly, our reproductive organs promptly changes inside our
mother’s wombs.
The normal human fetus would likely develop into either female or male depending on
the influence of genes and hormones of parents. The presence of Y- chromosomes, the
testosterone (male hormone) and anti-Mullerian hormones (AMH) dictates the sex
organ of the developing embryo (Craig Freudenrich and Edmonds 2001). However,
upon birth until we reach our puberty, little changes occur in our gonads (our
reproductive organs).
Further, sexual development occurs at puberty. Puberty is a developmental stage
which vary between male and female as they become sexually mature, enabling them
with the capacity to reproduce. To better understand the sequence of changes at
puberty for boys and girls, please read pages 66-67 of your work book-text book.
Study an article through this link for further understanding on how human reproduction
works
https://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancyandparenting/pregnancy/conception/human-reprodu
ction.htm.
Sex is the property or feature by which organisms are classified as female or male on
the basis of their reproductive organs and functions which includes reproduction, arising
pleasure and manifestation of love, intimacy and affection.
On the contrary, sexuality is a complex term. It is much more than your sexual feelings
or having sexual intercourse. It is rather an important and natural part of being a person
like your awareness and feelings about your own body and other people’s bodies; your
ability and need to be emotionally attached to someone else; your understanding of
what
it means to be female or to be a male; your feelings of sexual attraction to other people
and your physical capacity to reproduce.
At birth, a person’s sexuality is dependent on his physical features and genitals. Most of
the time, one’s sexuality and gender orientation are generally the same. However,
biological sex and gender orientation are two different entities: biological sex is one’s
assignment upon birth and is dependent on the physical features the person has while
gender is an identity that is learned and embraced by the individual. It is both a
personal and social construct.
Scientific research revealed that gender is not just a social construct because biology
and society equally result into a gendered behavior. It is known to be influenced by
social factors and roles expected of them by the society to portray personality traits,
attitudes, behaviors and values attributed for men and women. This also includes the
relative power and impact of each, indicating that gender is relational and refers not
simply to women or men but to the relationship between them. Use this link as
supplemental understanding: https://bit.ly/sexualityexplainedplaylist

Adolescence
Once physiological changes are elicited within the youth’s reproductive system, the
pubescent is likely to experience sexual urges, he/ she explicitly becomes more
sensitive to sexual stimuli and can readily feel sexual excitement. Do not feel
embarrassed, it is but natural that men experience gonadal erection while women
exhibits vaginal lubrication as responses.
When adolescents feel sexual urges, they are likely to engage in sexual activities that
would satisfy those urges. However, that kind of engagement may vary. During
adolescence, it is but common occurrence to watch and read pornographic materials,
engage in kissing and petting, perform masturbation, and the act of stimulating genitals
for sexual pleasure.
Medical professionals have cited a number of health benefits of masturbation like
relieving stress, bettering sleep, improving self-esteem and enhancing body image.
Further, masturbation is a better alternative to sexual intercourse as the latter may
result into early pregnancy and the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases.
Sequence of sexual response cycle in general is experienced by both men and women.
This is divided into four phases herein named orderly: excitement, plateau, orgasm and
finally resolution. If the sexual arousal is met or satisfied through sexual intercourse,
men would prompt ejaculation while women reach orgasm. The refractory stage or the
period of rest after ejaculation is likely to be longer in men while women can achieve
multiple orgasms due to shorter refractory periods after intercourse.
These physiological and psychological responses are made possible because of the
hormones produced within the glands of our body and the largest sex controlling organ
(our brain) respectively. The latter greatly affect our bodily sensations. When the cycle
is complete, this will lead into sexual satisfaction. Read pages 68-74 of your textbook to
better understand highly sensitive areas of the body, human sexual response and other
parts of the body as foundation of our sexual behavior.
My dear student, our brain is higher than the rest of the parts of the body so bear
in mind to make thorough choices and decisions on all your actions.

Gender Roles
Gender roles are roles we play in the society which is as vital as how we, as men and
women are expected to act and behave in the society’s norms. Because biological sex
and gender are not always the same, stereotypes and perceptions on roles of men and
women in the society is still arguable. For example, I may be born woman but assumes
to have manly traits just like a man who may behave like a woman, this is an aspect of
sexual orientation which manifests in the relationships. A woman who is attracted to
the same sex may be termed as homosexual while someone who is sexually attracted
to his/ her opposite is a heterosexual.

Sexual Self: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Sexual orientation and gender identity underlies our inner concept of the self.
Gender Identity is referred as one’s sense perception of being a male or a female. We
express our sexuality as unique to other person’s identity. Our beliefs and behavioral
lifestyles are based on our own perception of sexuality.
While gender identity and sexual orientation are believed to be social constructs and
many fuses them as one, it is important to highlight that our self-expression has become
responsible in our sexual disposition toward the same (homosexual), opposite
(heterosexual) or both sexes (bisexual) resulting into our emotional attraction toward
another individual (Sexual orientation). This will also translate to our beliefs about sex,
gender and behavior.
Are you still having confusions about your gender identity? Read pages 75-77 and take
note of issues and other factors that influence one’s view to sexual orientation and
gender identity.
Please take note that our behavior in various situations would involve
consequences; we must constantly realize how we can regulate our own
behavior, including our sexual response and the effects of all our actions.

Sexual Self: Consequences of Sexual Choice

Copulation, a medical term for sexual intercourse is a reproductive act whereby male
genital (penis) enters the female’s reproductive tract (vagina). Adolescent couples who
engage in the same act usually are overwhelmed by the sensations they feel during this
stage. Likewise, they often account for the act and claim they “truly love each other” and
they are “ready to commit themselves with one another”. However, if pregnancy is likely
to occur which will last for three trimesters before the female gives birth, this demand for
bigger responsibility for both which should not merely be a consequence of
impulsiveness.

Early Pregnancy

As a consequence to early pregnancy, physical risks on adolescent’s development may

arise. For instance, the threat of miscarriage and emotional stress which may pose
health related dangers to the young mother and the infant. In addition, early pregnancy
may have other adverse concerns like dropping out of school, feeling of isolation and
similar disruptions most especially to a female who bears a child while studying.
Similarly, males are confronted with problems as being burdened with his responsibility
of rearing his future child and his partner.

Sexually-Transmitted Diseases
Another significant concern as a consequence of copulation is the higher risk of
acquiring sexually-transmitted diseases. While there are cases of treatment and cure to
these types of diseases, acquired disease may have long-term damaging effects to
one’s health. Please remember that Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) can spread
via exchange of body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids and seminal fluids. We must
take
extra care especially if we have infected skin or our mucous membranes have wounds
or lesions. Read pages 78-79 of your workbook to know more about Responsible
Parenthood and Reproductive Health.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

It is but important to note that AIDS and HIV are two different things and learning about
them can keep you healthy and prevent its increasing transmission. One of the most
alarming consequence of sexual choices is to acquire Human Immunodeficiency
Syndrome (HIV). It is a virus that can be transmitted through different routes: anal, oral,
vaginal, breast milk, during childbirth and blood transfusions. Patients with untreated
HIV results to having Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This syndrome
compromises the immunity of a person which places her/ him bodily systems into more
serious complications leading into death. To note, CURE is yet to be discovered for HIV.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) family planning allows both men and
women to make informed choices on birth spacing and has enumerated advantages,
disadvantages of family planning (WHO Western Pacific Region, WPRO ©2017).
Department of Health (DOH) alike presented benefits of family planning, acceptable
family planning methods and its disadvantages. Read pages 79-85 of your textbook.
So now, do you realize how respecting and appreciating your sexual aspect are helpful
in keeping a healthier you and healthier relationship with others?

SUMMARY

▪ The time in life when individual becomes sexually mature is termed as puberty.
▪ Sex is the physical and physiological differences between male and female in their
primary and secondary sex characteristics.
 ▪ The way people experience and express themselves sexually which may involve
biological, physical, emotional, social or spiritual feelings or behaviors is termed as
sexuality.
▪ Biological Sex is a sex assigned to us at birth based on medical factors,
including your hormones, chromosomes and genitals.
▪ Sexual Responses are natural sequence of responses both men and
women experience distinctively upon arousal.
▪ Gender refers to social and cultural distinctions associated with being a male
or female.
▪ Gender Roles are roles that the society expects individuals to act, speak
and behave in accordance with their assigned sex.
▪ Sexual Orientation is a pattern f romantic or sexual attraction to people of
opposite, the same or either of the sexes.
▪ Gender Identity is an innermost concept of self as a male, female a blend of both
or neither. How one perceive herself/ himself to be which maybe the same or
different from their sex assignments.

REFERENCES

Capuzzi, D. (2016). Human growth and development across the lifespan: Applications
for Counselors. John Wiley & Sons.
Damon, W., & Hart, D. (1984). The development of self-understanding from infancy
through adolescence. Child Development, 841-864.
Dittmer, H (1992). The individual centered approach: possessions as symbolic
expressions of identity Pp 95-121 in The psychology of material possessions: to have is
to be? St. Martin’s Press.
Harter, S. (2015). The construction of the self: Developmental and socio-cultural
foundations. Guilford Publications.
Otig et al. (2018). A holistic approach in understanding the self. Pp. 64-85. Mutya
Publishing House Inc.
Rosenfield S. (1999). Gender and mental health. Do women have more
psychopathology, men more, or both the same (and why)?
Umberson, D., & Karas Montez J. (2010). Social relationships and health: A flashpoint
for health policy. Journal of h