PAF1O/PAF2O Human Growth and Sexuality Lesson #3: Sexual Identity and Sexual Health PAF1O/PAF2O

What is Sexual Health? A state of physical, mental, and social well-being, in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to Sexuality Sexual relationships The possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences (free of coercion, discrimination, violence) World Health Organization

Some Ideas Related to Sexual Health Gender identity/expression Sexual orientation Sexual relationships

Gender Identity/Expression Gender identity is a person's private sense of their own gender. Generally described as one's sense of being a man or a woman In most Western societies, there exists a gender binary (masculine and feminine) in all aspects of gender and sex - gender identity, gender expression and biological sex. Some societies have third gender categories. Gender expression refers to all of the external characteristics and behaviours that are socially defined as either masculine or feminine: Dress, grooming, mannerisms, speech patterns, social interactions, etc. A person’s gender identity and expression may or may not correspond to the person's body or designated sex at birth. Cisgender: when your gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex all “match” Transgender: when they do not

Sexual Orientation Refers to a person’s attraction (physical and/or emotional) to other people. Some examples include: Heterosexual Homosexual (lesbian, gay) Bisexual (attracted to own gender and another gender) Pansexual (attracted to members of all gender identities/expressions) Asexual (not attracted to any group of people)

Sexual Relationships Part of sexual health is healthy sexual relationships. Healthy sexual relationships do NOT involve sexual assault or harassment. Sometimes these are obvious, sometimes not. Sexual Assault: Unwanted force or threatening to apply force to another person in a circumstance of a sexual nature. For example: Unwanted touching, grabbing Harassment: Unwanted sexual attention from another person. For example: Comments, gestures, sounds, winks, name-calling Intrusive questions Telephone calls, texts, stalking

Age of Consent Any non-consensual sexual activity (touching, kissing, intercourse) is a criminal offense In Canada’s Criminal Code, the age of consent for sexual activity is 16. (It was 14 until 2008.) If you’re under 14, you can consent to mutual sexual involvement with someone who is with 2 years of you If you’re 14 or 15, you can consent to mutual sexual involvement with someone who is up to 5 years older than you – as long as they are not in a position of trust or authority over you. If you’re 16 or 17, you can consent to mutual sexual involvement with someone who is NOT in a position of trust or authority over you.

Age of Consent in North America

In the USA

Flirting vs. Harassment What’s the difference?! Flirting makes you feel good Harassment makes you feel bad The same act/comment can be one or the other If it’s wanted, it’s be flirting If it’s unwanted, it’s harassment Saying “You’re looking good today” in one tone can be flirting, in another can be harassment We’re all responsible for stopping harassment Speak up if you’re not comfortable with someone’s behaviour Speak to them if you’re comfortable Tell an adult if you’re more comfortable with that

Why People Have Sex Name some reasons Amongst your peers, is there a double standard for different people? Are the reasons the same for everyone? Is there more pressure on one gender than another? Does saying “yes” or “no” mean something different coming from one gender or another?

20 Reasons People Have Sex Boosting mood and relieving depression Duty Enhancement of power Enhancement of self-concept Experiencing the power of one’s partner Feeling loved by your partner Fostering jealousy Improving reputation or social status Making money Making babies Need for affection Need for affection Nurturance Partner novelty Peer pressure or pressure from partner Pleasure Reducing sex drive Revenge Sexual curiosity Showing love to your partner Spiritual transcendence One? Two? Twenty? How about 200? Some college students have cited as many as 237 different reasons for having sex. Stressed out? Have sex. Stress reduction is one of the leading reasons Americans, particularly men, say they have sex, Richard Caroll says. The review, published online in Sexuality & Culture, shows other most frequently cited reasons for having sex include:

Value Statements: Agree or Disagree? Boys need to be macho Only people with low self-esteem end up in violent relationships If someone is dressed in tight/revealing clothing, he/she is asking for sexual attention If two people are together and one person wants to kiss the other, they have to have their partner’s consent first Even if you’ve been in a long term relationship in which you’ve been having sex, you can say no whenever and however often you feel like Sexual assault does not occur in long-term relationships There is more than one way to say no to sexual activities

The Bottom Line With respect to sexual health: Be comfortable with yourself Be respectful of and sensitive to others Be sure that you’re ready for and okay with what you’re doing Be sure anyone else involved is ready for and okay with what you’re doing Be sure that you know the possible consequences (good and bad) Be sure that you’re ready for the possible consequences Remember that complete health is physical, mental, social, and emotional.

Resources: http://thelandofmaps.tumblr.com/post/60526844608/age-of-consent-in-the-us-by-state-620-x-393 http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/why-people-have-sex?page=2