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

3. Understanding Sexual Feelings and Behavior
Lesson 24.1
Understanding Sexual Feelings and Behavior

4. 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.
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5. 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

6. 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
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7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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
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10. 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

11. 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
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12. Lesson 24.2
What Is Sexuality?

13. 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
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14. 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
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15. 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
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16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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
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19. 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
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