MODULE 4

UNPACKING THE SELF: THE SEXUAL SELF

Learning outcomes

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Explore the sexual side of self.

2. Identify the different forces and institutions that impact the development of self
and identity considering the sexual aspect of self
3. Examine one’s self against the sexual self-discussed in class.

Introduction

This module aims to discuss the sexual self. The sexual self is part of our self
because we are sexual being. In this part, we will discuss the diversity of sexuality,
sexually transmitted diseases, and responsible parenthood.

In this module, you are expected to explore the sexual side of the self and
examine oneself according to the selves discussed.

THE DIVERSITY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

It is in puberty that sexual development begins. It is in this time that you will feel
attracted to the same or opposite sex. We have this feeling because of our sexual
aspect of the self. But what is sexual self? sexual self is “a part of yourself where you
learn and understand your sexual development and how people’s sexual activity,
beliefs,…Your sexual self speaks of your sexual health, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression and values around sexuality”1.

Sexuality is diverse. We may refer to sexuality as male and female, but it is not.
However, before we tackle its diversity, it is so important to define the word sexuality:

Sexuality is just more than sexual intercourse and feelings. It includes all the feelings,
thoughts, and behaviors associated with being male or female, being attractive and being
in love, as well as being in relationships that include sexual intimacy and sensual and
sexual activity. It also includes enjoyment of the world as we know it through the five
senses: taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight. 2

1
Villafuerte PhD., RPm, RPsy, Salvacion L. 2018. Understanding the Self. Quezon City: Nieme
Publishing House Co. LTD. 84.
2
Ibid 88.
There are five circles of sexuality, and these are:

SENSUALITY REPRODUCTION & SEXUAL HEALTH

Awareness, acceptance of a comfort of one’s own Attitudes and behaviours related to producing
body; physiological and psychological enjoyment children, care and maintenance of the sex and
of one’s own body and the bodies of others. reproductive organs, and health consequences S

SENSUALITY REPRODUCTION &

SEXUAL HEALTH

VALUES
SEXUAL SEXUAL IDENTITY
SEXUAL INTIMACY SEXUAL IDENTITY The development of a
The ability and need to INTIMACY sense of who one is
experience emotional sexually, including the
SEXUALIZATION
closeness to another sense of maleness and
human being and have femaleness
it return.

SEXUALIZATION
The use of sexuality to influence,
control, or, manipulate others.

Ideas taken from

https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/wp-
content/uploads/storage/advfy/documents/circles.pdf

These five cycles of sexuality is vital because they comprise the wholeness of who we
are as a sexual being. We are sensual to our body so that we enjoy it and the body of
others. We also have intimate feelings and attraction towards others, and this attraction
depends on what sexual identity we have. Sexualisation is a negative part of how we
show sexuality as caused of sexual harassment, rape, etc. while sexual health and
reproduction is how you takes care of your sexual life and procreation.

As we reach puberty period ages 13 to 19, our sexual development started and we
begin to show attraction towards others. It is also in this time, that hormonal changes
occurs so that women have their menstrual period, and physical changes occurs, such
as breast and body. For men, hormonal changes occurs through physical change such
as Adams apple and sperms are ready for reproduction. However, it is also during
puberty stage and early adolescent youth that they began exploring relationships and
began to start identifying their own identity.

The chemistry of Lust, Love, and Attachment

When you show attraction towards others, it may passes into:

LUST ATTRACTION ATTACHMENT

The first is lust, a phase which is driven by sex hormones and testosterones. It
excite the feeling of lust within the brain. However, when a person started to feel in love
means that he/she is in the phase of attraction. Moreover, when a couple goes further
and begin to stay together, bearing children and love that person wholeheartedly, then it
is in the phase of attachment. But the question is, to whom are we attracted? Then we
will discuss it in the next section which is the diversity of human sexuality.

To whom are you attracted for? This question needs further answer because it does
not only cover being a male or female. Before we answer this question, let us first define
the meaning of sex and gender.

Sex is biological. When we talk about sex, there are only two possible answers,
being male and female. Gender is social or psychological. A person’s gender is based
on how society define what is maleness and femaleness. That is why, we have gender
roles such as a male has to be masculine and female is feminine. A male should wear
shorts and play male toys while a female should play a Barbie toy. However, we also
have gender identity which is an inner feeling of being male or female. A person who is
biologically male but his gender identity is that of a female or vice versa. The same with
a female who is female biological but her gender identity is a male. Therefore, sex can
be applied on male and female but when we deal with gender identity, it is not only with
male and female. In this situation, we will enter into the diversity of sexuality.

Sexual diversity is connected with sexual orientation. When we talk about sexual
orientation, we are dealing with a question earlier, to whom am I attracted for? The
following are the diversity of human sexuality or sexual orientation.
 Heterosexual pertains to a male or female who are attracted with an opposite sex. A
homosexual is a male of female who are attracted with the same sex. A male attracted
to make is a gay, and a female attracted to female is called lesbian. A man or a woman
who has attraction with both sex is a bisexual, while a person who has not attraction at
all is asexual.
Sexual orientation is something to do with attraction and this is not always followed
biologically. There are also what we called LGBTQ+ which stands for Lesbian Gay
Bisexual Transgender and Queer.

Lesson 2: SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Sexual intercourse can also cause STD or sexually transmitted diseases. It is also
called STI which is sexually transmitted Infection. STD or STI can be transmitted
through sexual intercourse. There are various sexually transmitted diseases and by
knowing it. To understand this topic clearly, I would like you to watch this videos in the
links below.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ7ML3gwf0g
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcPCY83FIvk

The most dangerous STD is HIV or AIDS. HIV is not curable but can be managed.
However, most of the STD’s are curable. Below are the lists of common sexually
transmitted diseases.

Chlamydia Trichomoniasis (trich)

Chancoid Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Crabs (pubic lice) Syphilis
Hepatitis B Trichomoniasis (parasitic infection
Molluscom contagiosum Pelvic Infllamatory Diseases (PID)
Genital herpes HIV/AIDS
Genital warts Gonorrhea
Scabies

Sexually transmitted diseases happens because of unprotected sexual intercourse.

By using protection such as condom can be safe but also importantly, how you use your
sexual behaviour. Multiple partners can become a risk for transmitting the diseases.

Education is very important in this matter. Being able to educate and inform your
sexuality as well as teaching values can be a very useful to avoid using sex
inappropriately. Responsible parenthood is helpful to inform the youth the importance of
taking care of one’s sexual health. In the Philippines Responsible parenthood has been
passed to become a law that includes family planning. Below are the short video of
responsible parenthood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dbMNmZ8v4A

Responsible parenthood focuses on the following:

 1. For family- to promote healthy, happy family.
2. For the mother- she can recover her health and strength after delivery.
3. For the child- a better chance of

Conclusion

Human sexuality is diverse. It is not limited to being male and female. Our sexual
self is shown in different ways according to our sexual orientation. But we need to
handle our sexuality well. Sexuality, when abused leads into bad consequences.
Sexually transmitted diseases are one of the reasons for not handling our sexuality well.
We need to be responsible. Our sexual self is a gift, we just need to be responsible with
it.

References

Villafuerte PhD., RPm, RPsy, Salvacion L. 2018. Understanding the Self. Quezon City:
Nieme Publishing House Co. LTD. 83-93.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ7ML3gwf0g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcPCY83FIvk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dbMNmZ8v4A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaMtSB5MeeU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqm-EwLZR4I