UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

THE PHYSICAL & SEXUAL SELF

Section 1: The Physical Self

This section identifies and explains the biological and environmental factors that shape the physical
self. It also delves into socio-cultural issues associated with physical well-being.
• The Biological Blueprint
• The physical self is shaped by biological and environmental factors
• Heredity is defined as the transmission of traits from parents to offspring. The traits
are made up of specific information embedded within one’s gene.
• Genotype refers to the specific information embedded within one’s genes; not all
genotypes translate to an observed physical characteristic.
• Phenotype is the physical expression of a particular trait.
• Each individual carries 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are threadlike bodies in the
nucleus of the cell and the storage unit of genes. The 23rd pair, also known as sex
chromosomes, determines the sex of an individual.
• Within each chromosome is the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is a nucleic
acid that contains the genetic instructions specifying the biological development of
every individual.
• Maturation is known as the completion of growth of a genetic character within an
organism or the unfolding of an individual’s inherent traits or potential.
Environmental Conditioning
• As you grow up, you are exposed to environmental influences that shape your
physical self, including those from your social networks, societal expectations, and
cultural practices.
• Family, being your first social group, forms a crucial foundation of your
development, including that of your physical self.
• As you grow older, you get exposed to a larger social group with new practices and
standards. As a result, you may begin engaging in acts that would make you attractive
and acceptable to others.
• One aspect of physical beauty is a person’s body type. Contemporary media has
portrayed slim bodies as the ideal body type for women and muscular bodies for men.
Thus, adolescents indulge in activities that would enable them to achieve these ideal
body types.
• However, some adolescents may resort to unhealthy habits just to achieve the ideal body type.
It is important to remember that physical beauty is only skin-deep; that what matters is feeling
good about oneself and embracing a healthy perception of one’s physical worth.
Achieving Physical Well-being
 Healthy eating. Following a healthy diet result in healthy skin, ideal weight, and
better stamina.
 Embracing a healthy lifestyle. Physical activities such as walking, running, going to
the gym, and engaging in sports also contribute to a healthier body.
 Maintaining proper hygiene. Taking care of your body by consistently following a
hygiene regimen can also help you feel good about yourself.
 Being confident. Be secure in yourself, embrace a positive outlook toward various
situations and problems, and love and accept who you are.

Section 2: THE SEXUAL Self

This section tackles one of the most crucial aspects of human development, the sexual self. It
highlights biological and environmental factors that shape sexual development. Tips on regulating
sexual behavior are also provided.
The Biology of Self
 At birth, the sexual genital (penis for male, vagina for female) is a biological
feature that distinguishes males from females. Moreover, during puberty, observable
changes in the human body also known as secondary sexual characteristics begin.
 When physiological changes are triggered within the adolescent’s reproductive
system, he or she is likely to experience sexual urges, become more sensitive to
sexual stimuli, and feel sexual arousal.
 Humans are likely to engage in sexual activities to satisfy sexual urges. However, the
kind of sexual activities they engage in may vary.
 A person should be aware of his/her sexuality and sexual attributes in order to make
responsible decisions. Adolescents need to realize the importance of having informed
choices.
Sexual Identity and Gender Orientation
• Biological sex is one’s assignment upon birth and is dependent on physical feature.
On the other hand, gender is an identity that is learned and embraced by individual.
• Gender roles refer to societal expectations of how men and women should act.
Everyone has a basic idea of gender roles: men are assumed to be strong and
dominant while women are perceived to be submissive and demure.
• Sexual identity and gender orientation underlie one’s concept of self. A person
expresses his or her sexuality through individuality; one’s belief and behavioral
lifestyle are based on his or her own perceptions of sexuality.
The Consequences of Sexual Choices
• Sexual intercourse (copulation) is the reproductive act in which the male organ
(penis) enters the female’s reproductive tract (vagina). Adolescents couples who
engage in sexual intercourse are usually overwhelmed by the sensations they feel
during the act.
• However, if the woman is fertile during the time of intercourse, pregnancy is likely to
occur and it lasts approximately nine months before the birth of the child. Having a
child entails a big responsibility and should not merely be a consequence of an
impulsive moment. Physical risks to having an early pregnancy may impact an
adolescent’s development, including miscarriage, emotional stress, and health risks to
both mother and infant.
Aside from pregnancy, another consequence of impulsive and careless sexual intercourse is the risk
of acquiring sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). Among common STDs are:
• Syphilis
• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Genital Warts
The most alarming sexually transmitted disease is the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It can be transmitted by contact between
broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes and HIV-infected blood or blood-contaminated body
fluids.
It is important that everyone makes responsible decisions with regard to sexuality and sexual
behavior. Responsible sexual behavior entails the following:
• Respect for one’s body. It means taking care of one’s body and avoiding
activities that undermine one’s worth and respect.
• Maturity in thoughts and deeds. It refers to being objective, rational, and
calm, instead of being swept by one’s emotion.
• Being guided by one’s personal beliefs and core values. Everyone,
especially an adolescent, should always be grounded by his/her personal
principles and self-worth.
• Being future-oriented. Instead of focusing on the present, a person should
always weigh his or her present actions with possible consequences in the
future.
When Does Our Body Become Sexually Active?
• Puberty is the period of life at 10 – 1 5 years old when the reproductive organs develop to their
adult size and become functional because of the rising levels of hormones (male =testosterone,
estrogen = females).
• Reproductive capability continues until old age in males and menopause in females.
• Erogenous zones- refer to parts of the body that are primarily perceptive and increase arousal
when touched in a sexual manner. (E.g., mouth, breasts, genitals, and anus.
2. The Human Sexual Behavior
- is any activity that induces sexual arousal.
Two major factors that determine human sexual behavior are:
• Inherited sexual response pattern that evolved as means of ensuring reproduction that becomes
part of each individual
• The degree of restraint/ influence exerted by society in expression of his sexuality.

Types of (sexual) behavior

• Solitary behavior- self-gratification or self-stimulation that leads to arousal and climax.
Usually done in in private but also in a sociosexual relationship. Begins at beginning of
puberty and usually involves fantasies.
• Sociosexual behavior- begins in childhood, motivated by curiosity such as showing or
examining genitalia. Necking or petting is considered as part of the learning process of
courtship and finding a marriage partner.
• Coitus- refers to the insertion of the male organ to the female organ.
Sex vs Gender. What is the difference?
• Sex- is the biological difference between males and females.
• Gender- refers to the economic, social and cultural attributes and opportunities associated
with being male or female in a particular social setting at a particular point in time.
• Sexuality- refers to the expression of who we are. It involves a person’s thoughts, feelings,
and sexual expression and relationships, as well as the biology of the sexual response system.
• Sexual orientation is the erotic or romantic attraction (or “preference”) for sharing sexual
expression with the opposite

sex (heterosexuality), one’s own sex (homosexuality), or both sexes (bisexuality).

Love or Lust? The Triangular Theory of Love (Sternberg, 1985)
Love- is a special attachment one has for himself/herself or for somebody else.
Components of Love:
1. Passion- physical and sexual attraction to another.
2. Intimacy- emotional feelings of warmth, closeness and sharing of relationships.
3. Commitment- cognitive appraisal of the relationship and the intent to maintain it even in the face
of problems
Types of Love:
1. Romantic Love (passionate love). It includes an intermingling of different emotions: fear, anger,
sexual desire, joy and jealousy among others.
2. Affectionate Love (companionate love). Type of love that occurs when someone has deep and
caring affection for a person and desires to have him/her near constantly.
3. Consummate Love. It is the strongest and fullest type of love. This is the ideal form of love
involves passion, intimacy, and commitment.
4. Fatuous Love. It is the combination of passion and commitment without intimacy (i.e., purely
physical relationships).

Taking Care of Our Sexual Self

• Sexual Health- In 1975 WHO defined sexual health as, “integration of somatic, emotional,
intellectual and social aspect of sexual being, in ways that are positively enriching and that enhances
personality, communication and love.”
• Contraception - the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy
as a consequence of sexual intercourse.
• Natural Contraception- These are methods of contraception that does not involve the use of
any of the man-made devices. These methods are useful for timing and spacing of
pregnancies (i.e. Withdrawal, Safe period, abstinence)
• Artificial Contraception (Barrier methods)- methods which prevent meeting of sperms with
the ovum (e.g., Condom, Diaphragm, Vaginal sponge, Chemical contraceptives, Intrauterine
devices, Oral pills, Injectable contraceptives, Implants, Vaginal rings)
• Termination Methods (Sterilization)- the only method which gives permanent protection
from conception. (i.e., vasectomy, tubectomy).
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)- STDs are diseases and infections which are capable of
being spread from person to person through:
o sexual intercourse
o oral-genital contact or in non-sexual ways.
o IV drug
o Congenitally transmitted

PUBERTY IN GIRLS – girls start their period during menarche or her first period. They start
earlier than boys.
PUBERTY IN BOYS - boys experience sperm arche or semen arche which is his first ejaculation
or nocturnal emission (wet dreams).
• Puberty is a process which occurs first in adolescence that triggers physical change.

 Pituitary Gland
 is the master endocrine gland that controls growth and regulates the functions of
all endocrine, including gonads.
 Gonads
 controls the sex glands, ovaries for girls and testes for boys. Chemical substances
(hormones) secreted by gonads are distributed by the blood stream throughout the
body.
 Estrogen
 are hormones for girls which promote physical change such as widening in hips, bigger
breasts and more.
 Testosterone & Androgen
 are hormones responsible for boy’s growth of facial and body hair, muscles, change in
voice and height.

Primary sexual changes

• are changes in sexual organs that prepare boys and girls for procreation.
Secondary sexual changes
• are the physical changes in boys and girls.
The Phases of Human Sexual Response
Masters and Johnson categorized the human erotic response into four stages which they
called the Human Sexual Response Cycle (HSRC).
• Excitement
This is the body’s initial physical response to sexual arousal.
 It is characterized by an increase in heart rate and blood pressure as well as heightened
muscle tone.
• Plateau
This is the period of sexual excitement prior to orgasm.
 It is characterized by intensification of the changes begun during the excitement phase.
• Orgasm
 This is characterized by a wave of intense pleasure (climax), often associated with vaginal
contractions in females and ejaculation in males.
• Resolution
 In this phase of the body returns to its non-excited state

Perspectives of Human Sexuality

Sexual selfhood is defined as how one thinks about himself or herself as a sexual individual.
 Human sexuality is a topic that is culturally diverse.

Historical Perspective
In men
• In Ancient Greece, it is the male that assumes the dominant role.
• The male symbol, the penis, was viewed as the symbol of fertility and the structures of male body
is greatly admired.
In women
• Women were considered as an object or a property.
• The Greek word for women is “gyne” means –bearer of children.
The Middle Ages (476 – 1450)
• Bore witness to the strong influence of the church, particularly in matters of
sexuality.
• The church discreet that all sexual acts that do not lead to procreation were considered evil.
 • Women were labelled as either a temptress (like eve) or a woman of virtue (like the Virgin Mary).

In the Protestant Reformation 16th Century (1483 – 1546)

 Martin Luther, John Calvin and other Protestant leaders initiated a movement against
the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church.
 Protestantism believed that sexuality is a natural part of life and that priests should be able to
marry and have families.
 Luther and Calvin asserted that the reason for sexual intimacy was to strengthen the physical and
emotional bond of husband and wife and not just for procreation.

By the 17th and 18th Century

 The Puritans, a group of people who were discontented with the Church of England rallied
for religious, moral and societal reformation.
 They had positive view on marital sex and did not condone sex outside of marriage.
 Premarital sex was considered immoral (Cate and Lloyd 1992 In Rosenthal, 2013.

In the Victorian Era (1837 – 1901)

 Homosexuality and prostitution were rampant and considered to be a threat to social order.

Biological Perspective
 On our nervous system the brain is the one who initiates and organizes sexual behavior.
 Human beings are created by the fusion of the egg cell and sperm cell, this is called sexual
reproduction.
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Male
• Voice becomes much lower (breaks)
• Hair growth on chest, face, underarms, arms, legs, and pubic area
• Increase in muscle size
• Skin becomes oily and pores enlarge.
Female
• Breast enlarges
• Hair growth under arms and pubic area
• Hip widens
• Skin becomes oily and pores enlarge

Primary Sex Characteristics

Male
• Testes
• Penis
• Scrotum
• Seminal vesicles and prostate glands
Female
• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Uterus
• Vagina
Male and Female Reproductive Organs
Male
• Testes
• Penis
• Scrotum
• Seminal vesicles and prostate glands
Female
• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Uterus
• Vagina

• Intercourse happens between a healthy, sexually mature male and female then
fertilization may take place and pregnancy begins.
• During the first week of gestation, the internal and external genital structures of all
human fetus are the same.
• The gender of the baby can only be determined within the 16th to 18th weeks of pregnancy.
Chromosomes – are threadlike structures that can be found in the nucleus of each cell of
the body are composed of genes which are the basic unit of heredity.
• Human beings have 23 pairs (46) of chromosomes in the nucleus of each body cell.
• The first 22 pairs are called autosomes, and the 23rd pair is called the sex chromosomes (XX
or XY).
• Females 23rd pair of chromosomes is XX, while Males are XY.