1. Chapter 8 Sexuality and Intimate Relationships

2. Sexuality and Intimate Relationships
Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Sexuality: The Psychological Dimension
Sexuality: The Orientation Dimension
Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Sexuality: The Relationship Dimension
Communicating in Intimate Relationships

3. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Male and female sexual biology is determined at conception.
Males produce sperm.
Females produce ova and bear children.
Gender is determined by sex chromosomes.
XY pair of sex chromosomes determines maleness.
XX pair of sex chromosomes determines femaleness.

4. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Hormones help distinguish male and females via physical characteristics such as facial and body hair, body build and stature, and the woman’s appearance of breasts.

5. Secondary Sexual Characteristics of Men and Women

6. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Female Sexual Anatomy
Ovaries: Produce ova and sex hormones
Fallopian tubes: Transport ova and sperm
Uterus: Receptacle for sperm and is the organ in which the fetus develops
Cervix: Lower part of the uterus. Creates mucus
Vagina: Normally narrow, but can widen, especially during childbirth

7. Female Sexual Anatomy

8. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Female Sexual Anatomy
The ovaries release about one ova every month
Fallopian tubes transport the ova to the uterus.
The uterus also acts as the passageway for sperm from the vagina to the fallopian tubes where the ova would be fertilized. It also is where the fetus grows.
Cervix – lower part of the uterus
Ovulation – the time of ovum release

9. Female Reproductive System

10. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Female Sexual Anatomy
Vagina – hollow tube that leads from the cervix outside the body
It is sexually non-aroused and is normally rather narrow, but can enlarge to accommodate a penis, tampon, or during childbirth.
A self-cleaning organ
Vaginitis or yeast infection – itching, redness, swelling and unusual discharge

11. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Female Sexual Anatomy
Vulva: Encompasses all external female genitals
Clitoris: Small, sensitive organ located in front of the vaginal opening; the center of sexual pleasure
Labia minora: Smaller, inner pair of folds of skin
Labia majora: Larger, outer pair of folds

12. Female Sexual Anatomy

13. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Female Sexual Anatomy
Urethra: Relatively short exit tube for urine
Urinary Tract Infection – burning during urination and frequent urge to urinate
Can be prevented by drinking plenty of water and not allowing anal bacteria into the vaginal region
Breasts: Network of milk glands and ducts embedded in fatty tissue; secondary sexual characteristic

14. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
The Fertility or Menstrual Cycle
Each month or so, women usually produce one ovum that could be fertilized.
When the ovum is being produced, many changes occur in the body to prepare the body for pregnancy if the ovum is fertilized.
During this time, the endometrium, or lining of the uterus, begins to thicken to support the first stages of pregnancy, and blood vessels increase in size.

15. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
The Fertility or Menstrual Cycle
If the ovum is not fertilized, the endometrium and blood vessels are shed, causing a discharge called menstruation.
The length of the menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman; cycles generally vary between 24 and 35 days, with 28 days being the most common.

16. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension

17. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
The Fertility or Menstrual Cycle
Hormones from the hypothalamus, called gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH), are secreted and influence the release of other hormones from the pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland produces two gonad-stimulating hormones:
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)

18. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
The Fertility or Menstrual Cycle
Amenorhea
Interruption or cessation of regular menstrual periods
This may be caused by psychological stress, depression, fatigue, or severe calorie restriction.
Missing three or more periods in a row is cause to see your doctor to prevent further problems associated with missing your period.

19. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Menopause
Menarche is the first menstruation of a young woman, experienced typically between 12 and 13 years of age.
Menopause is the normal and gradual cessation of ovulation and menstruation that occurs between the ages of 50 and 52 years (usually).

20. Sexuality: The Physical Dimension
Male Sexual Anatomy
The principal reproductive role of male sexual organs is to make numerous viable sperm cells and to deliver them to the female reproductive tract during sexual intercourse.
Testes: Two; produce sperm and sex hormones
Sperm ducts: Transport sperm from testes to penis
Scrotum: Location of testes

21. Male Sexual Anatomy

22. Sexuality: The Psychological Dimension
Emotions: Joy, excitement, pleasure, love, and affection
Beliefs: Self-worth, sexual values
Socialization: The process by which groups inculcate values and attitudes in their members

23. Sexuality: The Orientation Dimension
How individuals come to think and behave sexually is almost entirely a product of what they learn as very young children about the kinds of behaviors that are expected of members of one sex or the other.
Gender identity is awareness of being either male or female.
The gender role is made up of gender-specific behaviors.
Sexual attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors are almost entirely the product of learning.

24. Sexuality: The Orientation Dimension
The sexual experience is holistic, involving body, mind, emotions, spirit, and the relationship with a partner.
Involves
Sexual interest
Sexual desire or motivation
Sexual decision making
Sexual participation

25. Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Sexual Arousal and Response
Sexual interest in both men and women is influenced by androgen levels (principally testosterone).
Creating a sexual experience involves two kinds of decisions—context and participation.
Certain regions of the body (erogenous zones) are sexually sensitive in nearly all people.

26. Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Sexual Response Cycle
Sexual arousal creates physiological changes:
Tightening of the muscles (myotonia)
Changes in blood flow, producing swelling in the penis and pelvic areas (vasocongestion)
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate
Increased level of excitement

27. Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Sexual Response Cycle
Phase 1: Excitement—Erection of the penis, vaginal lubrication, swelling of the clitoris, sexual flush in both males and females.
Phase 2: Plateau—Physiological changes of the excitement phase level off.
Phase 3: Orgasm—Built-up tensions during the excitement and plateau phases are released.
Phase 4: Resolution—The body returns physiologically to the nonstimulated state.

28. Sexual Response Cycle

29. Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Orgasm
When sexual arousal builds to a certain point, the associated tensions are released in an orgasm.
Associated with rhythmic contractions of the pelvic muscles; tightening of the muscles of the face, hands, and feet; and feelings of pleasure.
Orgasmic experiences vary greatly from person to person and from encounter to encounter.

30. Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Masturbation
Masturbation is self-stimulation to produce erotic arousal.
Masturbation is widely practiced.
People masturbate for many reasons.
It can be a means of self-exploration to help understand what is sexually pleasurable.

31. Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Sexual Abstinence
People practice sexual abstinence for many reasons:
Religious beliefs
Fear of intimacy
Strong negative feelings about sex
Healing of emotional wounds
Opportunity to develop personal relationships without sexual pressures

32. Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Sexual Abstinence
People practice sexual abstinence for many reasons:
Desire to allow a romantic relationship to develop without the pressure for sex, permitting the partners to develop trust and caring before becoming sexual.

33. Sexuality: The Behavioral Dimension
Sexual Difficulties
There are many reasons why someone may have sexual difficulties:
Lack of Interest
Erection Problems
Rapid Ejaculation
Painful Intercourse
Orgasm Difficulties

34. Sexuality: The Relationship Dimension
People need intimacy; the feeling of closeness, trust, and openness with others.
Intimate relationships greatly affect one’s sense of well-being in both positive and negative ways.
Lack of intimacy can adversely affect physical health.
© Photodisc

35. Sexuality: The Relationship Dimension
Intimacy
Intimacy is a feeling, not an act.
Many people mistake genuine intimacy with sexual intercourse; they are not the same.
What do you consider to be intimacy?

36. Sexuality: The Relationship Dimension
Life Cycle of Intimate Relationships
Intimate relationships tend to go through stages:
Selecting a partner
Developing intimacy
Establishing commitment

37. Sexuality: The Relationship Dimension
Life Cycle of Intimate Relationships
Proximity: You are likely to become intimate with someone within close proximity.
Similarity: Aspects of similarity, including similar race, age, religion, education, social background, attitudes, values, and interests, affect intimacy.
Physical appearance: Physical appearance provides cues that indicate who among the eligible pool is a desirable intimate partner.

38. Sexuality: The Relationship Dimension
Developing Intimacy
Develops over time
Has a tendency to be affected positively or negatively by the information that is disclosed.
© AbleStock

39. Sexuality: The Relationship Dimension
Establishing Commitment
After a period of self-disclosure, the relationship may progress to a state of “us-ness,” which has three aspects.
An action, pledge, or promise
A state of being obligated or emotionally compelled
An unwillingness to consider any partner other than the current one

40. Sexuality: The Relationship Dimension
Endings
Endings often mark the start of a new and better future.
Endings occur for a variety of reasons.
People handle breakups differently:
Some feel tired, depressed, helpless, and hopeless.
Some are relieved.
Some are self-confident.

41. Communicating in Intimate Relationships
The basis of every communication act is the sender’s reasons for the message.
Messages are made up of symbols.
The receiver takes in the symbols and decodes them.
Every communication act carries two types of meanings—literal and metamessage.

42. Communicating in Intimate Relationships
Sending Clear Messages
Clear messages are best delivered with I-statements, which are sentences that begin with “I.”
You-statements, which begin with the pronoun “you,” are often put-downs or character assassinations.

43. Communicating in Intimate Relationships
Effective Listening
Effective listening is important because the receiver takes in the sender’s message and can establish the physical and emotional context for the communication.
The listener needs to communicate to the sender that the sender’s message was received—this is called feedback.

44. Communicating in Intimate Relationships
Effective Listening
Techniques for effective receiving:
Give the sender your full attention.
Make eye contact.
Just listen, and be empathic.
Be an open for receiving the message.
Give verbal feedback.
Acknowledge the sender’s emotions.
Praise the sender’s effort.
Be unconditional.

45. Communicating in Intimate Relationships
Expressing Anger Constructively
Tensions, disagreements, and anger are common in intimate relationships.
Anger is sometimes highly appropriate—when a partner does something self-destructive, when someone hurts you.
You have an obligation to tell intimate friends and partners that you’ve been hurt by them because it gives them important information about you and helps the relationship develop.

46. Communicating in Intimate Relationships
Expressing Anger Constructively
Anger can communicate caring; it is a message that the relationship is important and that improvement is desired.
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47. Communicating in Intimate Relationships
Expressing Anger Constructively
How do you communicate anger?
Does it work or are you often misunderstood?
How can you communicate your anger in a better way?