This document discusses various topics related to human sexuality including: definitions of sexuality, influences on sexuality like gender and culture, categories of sexual orientation, stereotypes associated with gender roles, relationship dynamics, virginity and abstinence, masturbation, fantasy and role-playing, criticism of how some activities are portrayed, and the impact of disability on sexuality. Key influences noted are gender, physicality, religion, family, and cultural norms. Sexuality is portrayed as a complex, personal, and lifelong process.

1. Sexuality “Our bodies, Ourselves” :Notes by Sara Lambert

2. Sexuality “We are all sexual, old, married, single, with or without disability, sexually active or not, transgendered, heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian.” “As we change our sexuality changes, too.” “Learning about sex is a lifelong process.” Page 229.

3. Sexual Awareness Human sexuality is influenced by our surroundings and the communities in which we live. Our personal views of sexuality may be influenced by gender, physicality, cultural norms, religion, and familial influence. Sexuality is relative. Example: Public views on sexuality may be different in different parts of the world.

4. Labeling Sexuality Human sexuality can be separated into several categories. Heterosexuality: Opposite sex attraction. Homosexuality: Same-sex attraction. Bisexuality: Both opposite and same-sex attraction. Heteroflexible sexuality: primary attraction to members of the opposite sex, though finding some attraction in the opposite sex.

5. Sexism and Power Relationships with men. Relationships with men are often ruled by cultural normality, and gender differences. Men and women, though both equal, are different in many ways. With these differences come stereotypes and societal pressure to comply with them.

6. Sexism and power Relationships with women Relationships with women are also ruled by cultural normality, and gender differences. Even though the relationship contains two members of the same sex there may still be dynamic differences within the relationship. Example: Butch-femme relationships are different than femme-femme relationships.

7. Sex Roles Stereotypes Common stereotypes for Women are related to intelligence, physical size/body type, sexual activity and emotionality. Examples: Women are weak. Women are supposed to be thin or want to be thin. Women are supposed to stay home and take care of their husband and children. Women are supposed to be feminine and NOT masculine.

8. Sex Role Stereotypes Common stereotypes for men include sexuality and prowess, intelligence, strength, and stoicism. Examples: Men are strong. Real men don’t cry. Men aren’t supposed to show emotion. Men are supposed to dress plainly, flamboyant dress denotes homosexuality. Men are supposed to work. Men aren’t supposed to be sensitive. Men are supposed to watch and enjoy sports.

9. “Traditional” lovemaking Love making is often defined differently by men and women. Stereotypically men consider lovemaking to be comprised mainly of intercourse (penetration). Whereas women consider lovemaking to be a process, one that is comprised of foreplay (kissing, emotional connection, tactile stimulation, scratching lightly or tickling, petting, oral stimulation/sex ) and intercourse.

10. Virginity and Abstinence Virginity: a woman or man who has yet to engage in sexual intercourse. Abstinence: the conscious act to not engage in sexual intercourse unless married. Societal pressures surrounding virginity and abstinence revolve mainly around women, men are less pressured to be abstinent in society. Women are pressured to save their virginities for their marital bed, else they be considered a “slut” or less valuable to their family in some cultures.

11. Body image Body image is something which women struggle with on an almost daily basis. Societal pressure to be thin has caused many women to resort to extreme dieting, excessive exercising, eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia and self abuse (cutting, binding). Body image directly affects sexuality as well is our perception of it.

12. Celibacy Celibacy: the act of refraining from sexual contact and/or intercourse. Many couples refrain from sexual contact outside of procreative purposes due to religious beliefs. So this is often used and as a means of taking a break from physical activity and instead focusing on emotional connection. This may prove difficult if both partners are not interested in engaging in celibacy. I found this to be very interesting and something which may be valuable as a means of achieving emotional and spiritual growth.

13. Sexual gratification Sexual pleasure can take many forms depending on the individual involved. Sexuality is often influenced by messages that we have received about our bodies, culture, physical appearances, and gender stereotypes. How we feel/relate sexual pleasure is directly influenced by our surroundings.

14. Models of sexual response Women’s sexual response cycle involves a pleasure, orgasm, and ecstasy in an ongoing continuum. Orgasm: the point at which all tension is suddenly released in a series of involuntary and pleasurable muscular contractions that expel blood from the pelvic tissues.

15. The Female Response cycle

16. Orgasm “Masters and Johnson asserted that all orgasms are physiologically the same,( clitorally induced, with contractions occurring primarily in the outer third of the vagina).” Each woman experiences orgasms differently. Several women reported feeling pressured to orgasm as a means of proving to their partner that they are sexually satisfying.

17. Masturbation Masturbation: the act of “self loving” and/or stimulating the genitals to the point of orgasm. Many women will deny that they masturbate due to cultural disapproval. Masturbation in many cultures is considered to be wrong and should not be engaged in.

18. Sexual acts A sexual act include but are not limited to the following: Vaginal penetration Toys, fingers, body parts. Vaginal intercourse Oral sex Male, female oral stimulation. Anal stimulation Toys, fingers, body parts. Mutual masturbation Engaging in dual genital stimulation with another partner.

19. Fantasy and Role-playing We often use fantasies as a means of self pleasure and self arousal. Fantasy Sexual fantasies include images that we conjure from either previous experiences or experiences that we would like to have. Role-playing Engaging in simulated play with a partner in order to achieve arousal. Erotica May include written, visual, and pornographic materials used to achieve arousal.

20. Role-play- criticism The book “Our bodies, Ourselves” the scribes role-play in a singular manner. Role-play, according to the book, is mainly comprised of sadomasochistic activity and/or sex play. Role-play may include but is not limited to: Teacher-student Cheerleader-football player Police officer-prisoner A couple meeting at a bar tending to be single in order to “pick each other up.”

21. Role-play criticism cont. Human sexuality should not be limited to what is considered to be typical and or normal. The writers of this book describe some fantasies as startling or disturbing such as forceful sexual contact and/or sadomasochistic stimulation. In my opinion the writers of this book have a predetermined opinion of certain types of sexual exploration such as sadomasochism. Role-playing as well as sadomasochistic activity can enhance desire as well as relieve the pressure to deny or downplay sexual desires.

22. Sex and disability Chronic diseases such as Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, Renal failure, Arthritis, lupus, Heart disease, Muscular disease, Digestive disorders, and Spinal cord injuries may effect the ways in which we interact sexually with our partners and ourselves. These disorders not only affect our physical interactions but they may also affect our drive, arousal, and desire to engage in sexual activity.