Chapter 24 Understanding Sexuality Lesson 24.1 Understanding Sexual Feelings and Behavior Lesson 24.2 What Is Sexuality?

Understanding Sexual Feelings and Behavior Lesson 24.1 Understanding Sexual Feelings and Behavior

Warm-Up What do you know about puberty and the changes that adolescent males and females go through? Make a list of all the information you know about puberty and share it with the class. Joana Lopes/shutterstock.com

Puberty and Sex Hormones Gonadotropin-releasing hormone signals the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone These hormones affect the testes in boys and ovaries in girls In response, the testes release more testosterone and the ovaries release more estrogen Testosterone triggers growth and development of the testes, penis, and other sexual characteristics Estrogen triggers growth and development of the ovaries, breasts, and other sexual characteristics

Changes during Puberty Some teens experience a growth spurt and weight gain Boys: testes and penis grow; muscles develop; voice deepens; more facial hair and body hair grows; erections begin; sexual attraction may begin Girls: ovaries, vagina, and labia mature and grow; bodies change shape; breasts grow; menstruation occurs; sexual attraction may begin StockRocket/iStock/thinkstock.com

Masturbation is wrong and can cause health problems. Myth or Fact? Masturbation is wrong and can cause health problems. MYTH Fact: Masturbation is a common, normal response to sexual excitement and is a way to safely release sexual tension. Masturbation is not wrong or shameful, and it does not cause health problems such as acne or blindness. If teens are uncertain about how to respond to sexual impulses, they can talk to a doctor, nurse, parent, or other trusted adult.

Human Sexual Response Cycle The four phases of physical changes that occur when a person is sexually aroused Excitement phase: increased blood flow to sensitive sex organs Plateau phase: heart rate and blood pressure continue to rise; the penis becomes fully erect Orgasmic phase: sexual excitement may increase and culminate in an orgasm Orgasm: the climax of sexual excitement, marked by rhythmic muscular contractions in the sex organs and throughout the body Resolution phase: blood pressure slows and heart rate returns to normal; less blood flows to the sex organs

Impact of Sexual Relationships Sexual activity can cause intense emotions that complicate teenagers’ lives in ways they are unprepared for Sexually active teens face a risk of pregnancy, risk of sexually transmitted infections, and emotional and social challenges Petrenko Andriy/shutterstock.com

Critical Thinking Before a couple chooses to be sexually active or enter a sexual relationship, what are some things they should do first? Discuss their views on sex early in the relationship Respect the other person’s decision about sex Agree on the methods that will be used for birth control and the prevention of STIs Share their sexual histories

Abstinence and Sexual Pressure Choosing abstinence allows for more individual growth and attention to schoolwork Teens who choose abstinence may encounter pressure from friends and peers and conflicting messages about sex In reality, it is untrue that “everyone is doing it.” Media often unrealistically portrays sex as a common part of teen life, involving little responsibility or risk tetmc/iStock/thinkstock.com

Lesson 24.2 What Is Sexuality?

Sexuality The expression of a person’s gender through behavior and mature anatomy and physiology Sexuality includes Biological sex Gender Sexual orientation Sexual experience and thoughts Zurijeta/shutterstock.com

Biological Sex A person’s sex—male or female—as determined by chromosomes Usually obvious by observation of the external sex organs at birth Intersex: a condition characterized by ambiguous biological sex at birth In some cases, the external sex organs do not match the baby’s chromosomal sex Anatoly Tiplyashin/shutterstock.com

Gender Identity and Expression Gender refers to the characteristics a society associates with a particular biological sex Also a legal status that is written on a birth certificate Perception of gender is influenced by behavior and appearance Gender identity is both assigned and chosen Sunny studio/shutterstock.com

Critical Thinking What does it mean when a person is transgender? A transgender person strongly believes he or she is the opposite gender of that which is indicated by biological sex. What do transgender people generally do to cope in society? Some choose to change their appearance, clothing, and name to match the gender they feel they really are. A few transgender people undergo expensive reconstruction surgery to match their organs with their gender.

People are often completely masculine or completely feminine. Myth or Fact? People are often completely masculine or completely feminine. MYTH Fact: It is impossible to be completely masculine or completely feminine. Most people’s behavior lies somewhere in between those two extremes. People exhibit both masculine and feminine traits, and their personalities contain aspects of both.

Sexual Orientation Refers to the gender to which a person is romantically and physically attracted Heterosexual: attracted to members of the opposite sex Homosexual: attracted to members of the same gender Bisexual: attracted to members of both genders LGBT: acronym that means lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Syda Productions/shutterstock.com mangostock/shutterstock.com

Support for LGBT Youth Homophobia is the irrational fear, discrimination, and anger directed at homosexuality and LGBT individuals LGBT individuals are accepted more widely today, but still face prejudice and bullying It is important for LGBT teens to have a supportive and accepting group of people around them Governments have passed laws to protect LGBT individuals from discrimination in the workplace, hate crimes, and to legally recognize same-sex marriage ToskanaINC/shutterstock.com