What are the factors that affect one’s attitudes and practices related to sexuality

and sexual behaviors?

A person’s attitudes and practices related to sexuality and sexual behaviors are
affected by the following:

1. FAMILY

Sexual awareness of most people

begins at home with the love and
affection given by their parents and
siblings. Sexual awareness develops by
the manner the parents treat the
children in terms of clothing, toys,
games, and hobbies.

Gender is strengthened by
teaching children how they should
behave Males are taught to be strong and
brave. For many, crying is a sign of
weakness among males. However, this is
not always true.

Females are trained to act and speak in feminine ways. As they grow up, females
are taught how to do household chores because it is part of the norms that girls are the
ones in charge of such works. Males are expected to be respectful of girls.

Being conservative of some people in talks about sex and reproduction can also
be rooted in one’s family. There are families who are liberated and parents are open in
answering all the questions of their children about human reproductive parts and
sexual activity. There are also families whose parents are very conservative with sex
education. Even mentioning the terms of words associated with sex or reproductive
parts are avoided in some families.
2. RELIGION
Sexual attitudes and behaviour
may be greatly influenced by religious
beliefs and doctrines.

People differ in their stand on

morality for they are differently
bounded by their religious and
spiritual beliefs. Others would
disagree on premarital sex and
extramarital sex. Some people would
consider masturbation as immoral.
Certain religious have strong conviction on the sanctity of marriage and so
they reject divorce as an option for marital problems. Others find contraception or
the use of contraceptive methods as sexually immoral.

Men and women who are very active in their respective activities are observed
to be less sexually active and are conservative on sexual matters.

3. MULTICULTURALISM
The marriage between couples coming from
different countries is no longer a new thing
nowadays. Since they come from different
countries, they may also have cultural differences
specifically in matters of sexuality. Some countries
would consider abortion as illegal and morally
wrong but in other countries, it is allowed.

For lowland people and those living in urban

areas, it is proper to dress up covering the
reproductive parts but for some, especially in ethnic
groups, the women would dress up half naked and
the men would just be covered with a piece of cloth
enough to cover their reproductive parts.

In countries with liberated people, they do

not give so much regard on the virginity of a person
before marriage but in some countries with
conservative citizens, virginity is reserved until the
person gets married.
4. SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
Living conditions also affect sexual behavaior. It is very observable, especially on
depressed areas with people living in poverty or below poverty line, that most engage
in sexual activity at a very young age and girls end up in teenage pregnancies.

Since most of these poor families could not send their children to school,
teenagers tend to mingle with friends of the same age and eventually engage in sexual
activities. Lack of education is also one reason that they become young parents
without seeing the hardship of responsibilities because they do not see better life
opportunities.

For some, engaging in sexual activity at a young age is a way for a better
socioeconomic status without much consideration on the romantic aspect of marriage
and sexual reproduction.

On the other hand, people under the middle class status would likely be less
aggressive on sexual activities because they tend to focus first on attaining financial
stability for them to give a good life for their future family. Having better sex
education, single individuals abstain from sexual intimacy because they know the
possible outcome of premarital sex. For married couples, they are more responsible in
terms of their sexual behavior. They plan for their family and think of proper spacing
for their children.
 5. PEERS AND FRIENDS
It is very common among teenagers to gather together and have their “girl’s talk”
or “boy’s talk” thing.

Adolescence period is very difficult for parents because it is the time when peers
and friends would have a lot of influence to their teenage children. The time spent by
teenagers in school is considerably longer than at home with parents. Others would
socialize with their friends and same-age neighbours even after classes.

With the influences adolescents get from their peers, there is a tendency for
teenagers to disregard the teachings and advices of their family. They tend to neglect
family values and standards just to be accepted by their peers and to be independent.

Peer pressure sets dilemma to young people. It is a matter of being accepted or

being rejected by the group. Bothe ways may have great impact on them.

To be accepted in the group, teenagers observe their peers’ behaviors and

attitudes and their manner of dressing up, and try to imitate them. Some who show
behaviors and attitudes differently from the ways of the group are rejected.

With issues about sexuality and sexual activity, influence comes mostly from peers
and friends. If adolescents are surrounded by peers who openly say words or terms
related to sex or the reproductive system, they are most likely to be speaking in the
same manner as well.

To be sexually involved or to abstain from any sexual activity may also be

resulting from imitating the ways of their peers.
 6. MEDIA
Media includes television, radio, movies, and printed advertisements and the
widely-used world wide web.

These forms of media are not only means for public service but these are also the
sources of information for sexual awareness.

Media can influence a person’s sexual behavior and practices depending on the
type of information or program being presented. The effect on the viewer or listener
may be positive or negative.

Most programs involving sexuality or sexual activity, especially in television, are

regulated by a government agency, like the MTRCB in the Philippines. There is a
warning like Parental Guidance (PG) or Strict Parental Guidance (SPG) before a
television program starts. These warnings may lead to a positive result, allowing the
viewer to be responsible in terms of sexual behavior.

While there is responsibility on most programs, nowadys, most media programs,

like some reality shows and commercials, are less responsible and less sensitive when it
comes to sex and sexuality.
ACTIVITY 1

 For each factor listed below, provide examples of how this factor affects your
sexual attitudes and behaviours. Write your answer .

1. Family. Family values oftentimes determine your own values.

Describe how your family affects your values regarding human sexuality.

2. Culture. Filipinos living in different regions have diverse cultures and beliefs. Your
cultural background can affect your values regarding sexuality, along with the norms
and standards set by society.
Describe how your culture affects your human sexuality.

3. Peers. Like your family, your friends can also have a significant impact on your
views on human sexuality.
Describe how your friends affect your human sexuality.

4. Media. The media plays a significant role in our lives as we regularly watch
televisions, listen to radio, search the internet, read newspapers, etc.
Describe how media affects your human sexuality.
ACTIVITY 2: Analyse Media Message

 Think of a commercial and write how men and women are being portrayed.
Then, respond to the following:

 What is the commercial all about?

 What messages were presented about being a man or a woman?

 Is the information real and accurate? Why or why not?

ACTIVITY 3:

 What do you think are the personal health attitudes that may influence sexual
behavior.

 What is the importance of sexuality to family health?