12: Gender and Sexuality
- Page ID
- 145185
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)By far, sex and gender have been two of the most socially significant factors in the history of the world and the United States. Sex is one’s biological classification as male or female, which is biologically determined at the moment the sperm fertilizes the egg. Sex can be precisely defined at the genetic level with females having two X chromosomes (XX), while males posses an XY pairing. The female’s eggs contain only an X chromosome, while the male’s sperm contains half X and half Y chromosomes. Therefore, the sperm that fertilizes the egg determines whether a person has XX (female) or XY (male) pairing of chromosomes. The main difference between sexes is the reproductive body parts assigned to each (including their functions and corresponding hormones).
Gender is culturally-based and varies in a thousand subtle ways across the many diverse cultures of the world. Gender has been shaped by social norms, politics, religion, philosophy, language, tradition and other cultural forces for many years. Gender identity is our personal internal sense of our own maleness or femaleness. Every society has a slightly different view of what it means to be male/masculine and female/feminine. Masculine traits are those we associate with being male, such as aggressiveness, directness, independence, objectiveness, and leadership. Feminine traits are being talkative, submissive, nurturing, emotional, and illogical. Androgyny is when a person shares both masculine and feminine traits. They fit their behavior to the situation; so an androgynous person might cry at a wedding or funeral, but can also change the tire on a car.
- 12.1: Sexual Scripts
- This page explores sexual scripts as culturally and socially influenced blueprints that inform individual sexual behaviors and identities. It emphasizes the distinction between biological drives and learned expressions of sexuality, pointing out that traditional scripts often reinforce unrealistic gender roles, hindering intimacy and communication in relationships.
- 12.2: Genital Development
- This page explores the similarities in male and female reproductive systems, highlighting their common fetal tissue origins. It discusses the improvement of ultrasound accuracy for fetal sex determination after the second month and details the development of genitalia from shared structures.
- 12.3: The Importance of Sexuality
- This page discusses the role of sexuality in adult life, highlighting its significance as a rite of passage and social function, despite being a minor part of daily routines. The Janus Report indicates that adults have sexual intercourse about 2-3 times per week, totaling around 65 hours per year, which is minimal compared to work and sleep.
- 12.4: Sexual Anatomy
- This page offers a comprehensive overview of female reproductive and sexual anatomy, including key structures like the clitoris, labia, cervix, uterus, and ovaries, along with their functions. It explains the ovulation process and highlights the vaginal structure's role in arousal, emphasizing the pelvic floor muscles' contribution to sexual pleasure. This understanding is crucial for educating others about sexuality.
- 12.5: The Sexual Response
- This page discusses the sexual response cycle defined by Masters and Johnson, detailing three main phases: excitement, plateau, and orgasm. It outlines physiological changes in both males and females during these phases, such as increased blood flow, swelling, and lubrication in females, and erection and ejaculation in males. The page also suggests that females may experience more orgasms than males, highlighting differences in sexual function.
- 12.6: The Sexual Experience
- This page explores the differences in sexual desire and experiences between males and females, noting that while both share physiological traits, their sex drives vary in response to social contexts. Men generally seek more sexual encounters and are more visually stimulated. It highlights statistics showing men report higher orgasm frequencies. The page also underscores the distinction between sex (biological) and gender (socially constructed), clarifying that these concepts do not always align.
- 12.7: Sex and Gender
- This page distinguishes between biological sex and gender, defining sex as physiological differences and gender as social roles. While sex is often viewed as binary, up to 1.7% of births are intersex, suggesting a spectrum. It elaborates on gender identity, introducing terms like cisgender and transgender, and critiques binary perspectives. The page also highlights cultural variations in gender roles among different societies.
- 12.8: Sexuality
- This page explores the dynamics of sexual intimacy, noting that both men and women find more pleasure in meaningful relationships. It covers motivations for sex, including affection and stress relief, and contrasts them with infidelity. The page also clarifies sexual orientation, emphasizing the differences among orientation, desire, and behavior, with research indicating a majority heterosexual orientation.
- 12.9: Contraception
- This page highlights the prevalence of pregnancies in the U.S., with many being unintended, which poses health risks. It outlines various contraception methods, including hormonal options and barrier methods like condoms, emphasizing their pros, cons, and importance based on individual health and family planning. Special postpartum considerations for starting contraception are noted, alongside other methods like spermicides and dental dams.
- 12.10: Reproduction
- This page covers various aspects of women's reproductive health, including menstruation, pregnancy, fertility, and menopause. It emphasizes understanding the menstrual cycle, preconception care, genetic counseling, and tracking ovulation for conception. Infertility causes, treatments, and the emotional and financial implications are discussed, alongside contraceptive methods to prevent unintended pregnancies, including sterilization options.
Thumbnail: Gender symbols intertwined. The red (left) is the female Venus symbol. The blue (right) represents the male Mars symbol. (CC BY-SA 2.0 unported; pschemp).