Bio 27: Human Sexuality Laney College August 22, 2012 Jennifer Wade, Ph.D.

5: Strongly agree “I strongly agree because my parents have taught me many of my values today. Such as sex after marriage and respecting women. I hold these values today because of the teachings of my parents.”

5: Strongly agree “I strongly agree because my parents are heterosexual and they practiced the art of sex with each other. Also I just feel and truly believe it’s the right way for me to be heterosexual because of my biological structure and beliefs.”

4: Somewhat agree “I don’t really ever talk about sex with my dad. But my mom and I talk about it frequently, since she knows I’m sexually active. She tries to help by giving me advice and I agree to everything she says.”

3: Neither agree nor disagree “Since my parents have never really discussed their attitudes on sex with me, I have little basis to say either way whether or not I agree/disagree. My attitudes are most likely different, but my basis of comparison is focused on the functionality of sex in creating a good family.”

3: Neither agree nor disagree “My attitude is the same. Both my parents just tell me to practice safe sex. Love and sexuality is not that big of a deal. But my dad approves less of me being bisexual and affectionate with women around my son.”

2: Somewhat disagree “I agree with them in the way of being responsible for my actions and accept the consequences it would imply having sex with women, also be aware and knowledgeable of sexually transmitted diseases and contraception methods. I disagree ‘cause their culture and religion do not approve of sexual intercourse before marriage, an idea that I did not respect when I had my first sexual encounter.”

2: Somewhat disagree “I somewhat disagree with my parents’ attitude of sex because there is a generational gap and a cultural gap. Both my parents were born and raised in China and had an arranged marriage where love and sex came after marriage. Because of the American culture I grew up in, I think sex and love comes before marriage.”

1: Strongly disagree “It is mainly due to religious upbringing. I am very deeply involved in my faith but, unlike my parents, I do not let it stop me from accepting all views of love based on gender. Male/male, female/female, male/female Love is Love.”

CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

Cross-Cultural Perspectives: the Islamic Middle East Islam is based on the beliefs of the prophet Muhammad as recorded in the Qur’an Opposed to intercourse before marriage, but valued intercourse within marriage, and believed that sex should be enjoyed by both sexes Women viewed as inherently more sexual than men (this power contained by veils, segregation, female circumcision) Qur’an does not prohibit polygamy, a practice already common at the time it was written

Cross-Cultural Perspectives: the Islamic Middle East As with all religious texts, the Qur’an has been subjected to multiple interpretations Passages within the Qur’an reconcile Islam with women’s rights and homosexuality Oppression of women and many sexually related restrictions stem from cultural traditions and fundamentalist sects, not from religion and the teaching of the Qur’an

Cross-Cultural Perspectives: China Earliest known sex manuals, dating from 4500 years ago, are from China The philosophy of Taoism in ancient China promoted sexual activity as part of a healthy and balanced life

Cross-Cultural Perspectives : China Sexual conservatism came in with communist rule in 1949 –Lack of basic information about sexuality –Sex outside of marriage and frequent sex within marriage discouraged –Almost no STDs

Cross-Cultural Perspectives : China Current trends: –increasing rates of pre-marital sex In 1989, 15.5% of Beijing residents reported having pre-marital sex; by 2005, this number was up to 70%! –slightly more open to homosexuality (legalized in 1997); but same-sex unions and adoptions are not legal, and no anti-discrimination laws –still lack sexual knowledge and safe-sex skills –increasing STDs & abortions

Sexuality in the Western World: the Judeo-Christian Perspective Two themes have influenced beliefs about sexuality in Judeo-Christian society: –Sex for procreation vs. sex for pleasure Non-procreative sexual activities have often been taboo or illegal in Western countries These are often not considered “sex” Confusion about same-sex couples –Male and female gender roles Physiological differences contribute, but so do social differences Gender role expectations influence our ideas about “appropriate” behavior

Sexuality in the Western World: the Judeo-Christian Perspective Ancient Hebrew bible (Old Testament) emphasized distinct gender roles Promoted sex for procreation, but also for pleasure within marriage

Sexuality in the Western World: the Judeo-Christian Perspective Christianity promoted: –Spirituality through celibacy –Sex outside of marriage as sinful –Contradictory images of women emerged during the Middle Ages: Virgin Mary: compassionate, pure, & unattainable Eve: evil temptress

The Protestant reformation of the 16 th Century Protestants split off from Catholics Beginning of divorce Divorce always based on one party being at fault (for things like adultery, desertion, regular inebriation)

The Victorian Era 1837–1901 More conservative attitudes about role of women Idea prevailed that women were not interested in sex Prostitution was rampant; accompanying increase in STD, especially syphilis Beginning of Industrial Revolution meant more women working outside the home

The 20 th Century: Sigmund Freud Helped change attitudes about sexuality Believed sexuality was innate to both women and men Said any sexual practice, such as homosexuality or masturbation, was healthy as long as it didn’t hurt anyone

WWI & WWII The two World Wars(1917–1918 and 1942–1945) both caused women to move into the workforce to replace men who had gone off to fight Many GIs were stationed in countries such as France with more liberal attitudes than the U.S.

Technology has changed sexual behavior 1940: Penicillin discovered 1960: Oral contraceptives introduced –1965 Contraceptive use by married couples made legal in U.S. –1972 Contraceptive use by unmarried couples made legal in U.S.

The Civil Rights movement Success of Black activists in changing attitudes and laws inspired other groups, including women and gays, to press for equal rights Legalization of contraception and abortion was a goal of the feminist movement

Gay activism Started with the Stonewall riot of 1969 Harvey Milk became the first openly gay U.S. elected official in San Francisco in 1977 Significant backlash against gay rights; AIDS epidemic brought more widespread acceptance of homosexuality

THE MEDIA AND SEXUALITY

Sexual Taboos and Television

Does sex in the media influence our behavior? Brown, 2006: White teens whose media consumption had the highest sexual content were 2.2 times more likely to have had intercourse by age 16 than teens with the lowest sexual content in their media

Entertainment media can also inform us about sex

Homework assignment : due Wednesday 8/29 Design a human sexuality research study. Include a description of: –What question you will answer –How you will conduct your research –What ethical issues will result from your study? –What possible challenges might you have in getting accurate results? Your assignment should be 400–700 words and must be typewritten!