1. Sexuality

2. Why study sexuality sociologically?
Important and controversial
People do not understand sexuality very well
Part of many areas of social life
The more global our view of sexuality, the more variety we see in the meanings people attach to sexuality.

3. Comparative Research
Comparative research shows sex varies from culture to culture & place to place - positions, frequency, taboos, etc..

4. Sexual variations Hermaphrodites Transsexuals (Transgender)
Combination of female and male genitalia
Transsexuals (Transgender)
“Trapped in the wrong body”

5. Kinsey’s Research 1940’s - 1950’s
Sexual Behavior in the Human Male
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female
Set the stage for the sexual revolution
Defined sexuality as a proper focus of scientific study
Showed people were less conventional than assumed
Created a new openness toward sexuality

6. Homosexuality Kinsey’s continuum
Most evidence indicates sexual orientation is rooted in human biology
Biological explanations
Simon LeVay
Hormones
Chromosomes (Twins studies)
Social Explanations (Society plays some role)

7. Prostitution
Common in low-income countries where women have fewer economic opportunities
Hierarchy of prostitution
Elite (top) = call girls
Bottom = Streetwalkers
Against the law everywhere in US except for some parts of Nevada
Legalizing prostitution

8. Prostitution Often not simply a personal choice between adults
Women subjected to violence
Increases spread of STD’s
Many poor women become trapped into selling sex
Often seen as a victimless crime

9. Rape Often not reported to police
Official statistics include only women victims
Most men who rape men are not homosexual

10. Rape Myths Committed between strangers Victim provoked their attackers
Motive is simply a desire for sex

11. Birth control and social norms
As society gains birth control, social norms regarding sexuality become more permissive.

12. Teen pregnancy Increasing
1,000,000 teenagers become pregnant each year.
Teenage women with low incomes and weak families have the highest probability of pregnancy.