1. What aspects of sexuality does Sociology study?

3. 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.

4. What do we learn from research?
The more global our view of sexuality, the more variety we see.

5. What do we learn from comparative (Global) Research?
Comparative research shows sex varies from culture to culture & place to place - positions, frequency, taboos, etc.

6. What was the effect of 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

7. Do you remember? Why does Sociology study sex?
What did we learn from comparative research?
What was the effect of Kinsey’s research?

8. What causes 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)

9. What sexual variations exist?
Hermaphrodites
Combination of female and male genitalia
Transsexuals (Transgender)
“Trapped in the wrong body”
Transvestites
“Cross dressing”
Genetic variations

10. How does society deal with prostitution?
Often seen as a victimless crime
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

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

12. Do you remember? What causes homosexuality?
What sexual variations exist?
Where is prostitution most common?

13. Are rape statistics accurate?
Often not reported to police
Official statistics include only women victims (recently changed to include men in FBI statistics)
Most men who rape men are not homosexual

14. What are some false beliefs about rape?
Committed between strangers
Victim encouraged their attackers
Motive is simply a desire for sex

15. How is birth control related to social norms?
As society gains birth control, social norms regarding sexuality become more permissive.

16. What do we know about 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.

17. Do you remember? Why are rape statistics often not accurate?
What are some false beliefs about rape?
What is the background of teenagers how are most apt to become pregnant?