Using our gift of sexuality responsibly

Important reminders THEACHING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Are sometimes countercultural HUMAN DIGNITY: Goodness cannot be earned or lost We are made in God’s image

THE DIFFERNCE BETWEEN SEX AND SEXUALITY Something you do An act you choose SEXUALITY: Part of your identity Included in who you are

SEXUALITY GENDER GENDER ROLE/IDENTITY ORIENTATION

SEXUALITY GENDER: MALE FEMALE NOT CHOSEN, BUT GOD-GIVEN

SEXUALITY GENDER ROLE IDENTITY: LEARNED: Refers to how you are supposed to live out your gender’s qualities and character traits Appropriate actions and attitudes TAUGHT BY: Family Society Ethnic Group Religion Can vary from time period to time period

SEXUALITY SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Refers to one’s predominant emotional and sexual attraction Psychosexual attraction toward particular persons Not defined by acts Not chosen 3 Types: Heterosexual, Homosexual, Bisexual

SEXUALITY SEXUAL ORIENTATION: HETEROSEXUAL: Sustains a PREDOMINANT, PERSISTENT psychosexual, physical, and emotional attraction to the opposite gender. HOMOSEXUAL: Sustains a PREDOMINANT, PERSISTENT psychosexual, physical, and emotional attraction to the same gender. BISEXUAL: Does not sustains a PREDOMINANT, PERSISTENT psychosexual, physical, and emotional attraction to either gender

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING ALWAYS GOD’S CHILDREN… (Documents of the US Catholic Bishops) A homosexual orientation is not chosen, thus, not immoral Homosexuality is a fundamental dimension of one’s personality Parents should love their children as they are Every person has an inherent dignity because he or she is created in God’s image. One’s total personhood is not reducible to sexual orientation or behavior. To gay and lesbian children: You are a child of God, gofted and called for a purpose in God’s design.

SEXUAL INTEGRATION Healthy Sexuality Intergrating sexuality into the total of who you are This is the goal for each of us.

CHASTITY CHASTE: To live in an accordance with one’s state in life The virtue of living out one’s sexuality according to God’s will Lived out differently according to vocation All are called to be chaste, regardless of vocation or sexual orientation

THE BIOLOGY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY GENETALIA: or commonly known as the “genitals” refers to the visible sex organs located in the groin area. These are the sex organs that come in contact with each other during intercourse.

PUBERTY Is the period in one’s physical development when the reproductive system matures. Typically this occurs between the ages of 11-14. After puberty, secondary sex characteristics refer to the male and female sex organs that must reach maturity and develop as a result of one’s body being physically ready for sexual intercourse.

SEX HORMONES: ESTROGEN & TESTOSTERONE These are chemicals produced by the body and play an important role in an individuals physical development, sexual development, sexuality and sexual function.

Female Reproductive organs

Female reproductive organs OVARY VAGINA FALLOPIAN TUBE BLADDER UTERUS CERVIX PUBIC BONE CLITORIS

MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Male reproductive organs SCROTUM URETHTRA VAS DEFERENS EPIDIDYMIS PROSTRATE PENIS TESTICLE

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT & MATURITY & SEXUALITY It is commonly understood that the human body may mature long before a person is emotionally or psychologically ready to engage in romantic or sexual behavior. There are many physical changes that occur during puberty, a mature and careful heart is needed to be in an adult sexual relationship. Understanding your body’s function goes hand in hand with your understanding of what will be good for your emotional health.

3 types of love that humans experience AGAPE: REFERS TO AN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, an example being love that God has for us. PHILIA: WHICH IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS “BROTHERLY” or love between friends and family EROS: WHICH REFERS TO THE EROTIC OR ROMANTIC LOVE BETWEEN TWO INDIVIDUALS

EROS LOVE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BELIEVES THAT EROS LOVE BETWEEN A MARRIED COUPLE IS NATURAL AND DESIGNED TO STEGTHEN A COUPLE IS NATUAL THEIR INTIMACY THROUGH SEXUALITY. THE CHURCH RECOGNIZES THESE MARRIAGES AS A SACRAMENT AND ENCOURAGES THE COUPLE TO WILLINGLY WELCOME CHILDREN. SEXUALITY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF AN ADULT MARRIED RELATIONSHIP.

THE MARKS OF MATURITY A mature person is able to keep long-term commitments. A mature person possesses a spirit of humility. A mature person’s decisions are based on character not feelings. A mature person expresses gratitude consistently. A mature person knows how to prioritize others before themselves.