THE SEXUAL SELF

SPG
STRONG PARENTAL GUIDANCE

SEX
2 Main Definitions:
1. Two major forms of individual distinguishing as male or female.
2. Physical activity that is related to a often includes sexual intercourse.

SEXUAL SELF
Concept refers to the totality of oneself as a sexual being, including positive and negative feelings

9 sub-topics that are related to SEXUAL SELF:

1. Human Sexuality
2. Development of Secondary Sex Characteristics
3. Human Reproductive System
4. Erogenous Zones
5. Chemistry of Beauty, Desire, Attraction, Lust, Love or Attachment
6. Dynamics of the Human Sexual Response, Biology or Diversity of Sexual Behaviors
7. Sex as a Divine Gift
8. Sexually-Transmitted Infections(STI)
9. Responsible Parenting

1 HUMAN SEXUALITY
Sexuality – the quality or state of being sexual
Psychologically, it is the means to express the fullness of love between a man and a woman.
Biologically, is the means through which a child is conceived and the lineage is passed on to the next
generation.

Human Sexuality - a multidimensional, multifaceted expression of one’s unique sensuality, intimacy,

sexual identity, and sexualization.

3 DIMENSIONS of Human Sexuality

Biological – Human Anatomy & Physiology, Genetic Influence, Physical Maturation
Psychological – Sexual Identity, Parenting, Developmental task.
Socio-cultural – Cultural Belief System & Values, Religious/Socioeconomic Influence, Education, and
Mass Media.

Variables delineated by American Psychological Association

a. Gender Identity – individuals’ concepts of themselves.
Sexual Identity- refers to how one thinks about himself/herself in terms of whom he/she is sexually &
romantically attracted to as defined by his/her biological sex & gender.
SEX – determined by virtue of one’s physical anatomy.
GENDER – socially determined like being masculine or feminine.

b. Sexual Orientation – enduring pattern of attraction to persons of the opposite sex, same sex, or to
both sexes.
ROBERT WEISS’ description HS variables:
Asexual – not sexually attracted to anyone
Androphilic – those who are attracted to males
Gynophilic – attracted to female

C. Sexual behavior – refers to sexual activity or expression

D. Gender Role – adherence to cultural norms for feminine and masculine behavior

2 DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS

Puberty – is the process of physical changes through which a child’s body matures into an adult body
capable of sexual reproduction.

Primary Sex Characteristics – anatornical traits essential to reproduction. (Ex. Sex Organs)

Secondary Sex Characteristics – physical traits that are not essential to reproduction but are
influenced by male and female hormones

Physical changes that occur during puberty in boys

1. Broadening of chest and shoulders

Onset of puberty brings many physical changes in boys. Their chest and shoulders broaden and their
muscles start to develop.
2. Deepening of voice and appearance of facial hair
The voice gets deeper. Hair begins to grow on the face that later develop into moustache and beard.
3. Appearance of body hair and pubic hair
Hair begins to grow on the chest, in the armpits, hands, legs and in the groin area. Hair in the groin
region is called pubic hair.
4. Increase in size of genitals
The penis and the testicles grow bigger in size.
5. Growth spurt - During puberty boys experience a rapid growth in height over a span of 2 to 3 years.
This rapid growth in height is called growth spurt.
6. Ability to ejaculate
Boys become capable of ejaculating which is ejection of semen through the penis. The first ejaculation
marks the attainment of sexual maturity in a boy's life.
Physical changes that occur during puberty in girls

1. Development of breasts
Between the ages of 8-13 years, girls start developing breasts. Morphologically (that is in terms of
form and shape), breasts look like a cone with the base at the chest wall and the apex at the nipple. It
is possible that one of the breasts grows faster than the other but by the time the breasts are fully
developed the differences in their shape and size are reduced. For a majority of girls there is a small
difference in shape and size of the two breasts which is permanent and is totally normal. The size of
the breasts and the time when it starts to grow also varies on an individual basis.

2. Appearance of hair in the armpit

During puberty, hair begins to grow in your arm pits.
3. Widening of hips and appearance of pubic hair
Through the years of puberty, the hips of a girl widen and hair begins to grow in the genital region.
Hair in the genital region is known as pubic hair.

4. Growth spurt
During puberty girls experience a sharp growth in their height. This is known as growth spurt. By the
time she is 16 years old, she attains about 98% of the final height that she will eventually grow to.

5. Onset of menstruation
Menstruation is a process in which a sexually mature girl's or a woman's body releases of a small
amount of blood and tissue through her vagina. Menstruation is a normal process that every healthy
and sexually mature girl and woman undergo generally once every month. First occurrence of
menstruation is called menarche and it marks the age when girls become sexually mature. Generally
menarche occurs between the ages of 9 and 14 years and varies on an individual basis.

Appearance of SSC
Thelarche – refers to the changes in breast, scrotum and testes.
Adrenarche – where pubic and/or underarm hair appears.
Menarche – first menstrual flow.
Gonadarche – where the growth of ovaries in girls and testes in boys.

3 The Human Reproductive System

The reproductive system in both genders work hand in hand for procreation
In doing so, the perpetuation and proliferation of the human species continues
(Merck Manuals)
Male Reproductive System (Two major parts):
Testes (Testicles)
Penis
The penis and urethra belong to both the urinary and reproductive systems
Scrotum – an external pouch where testes are carried

(Cleveland Clinic)
Female Reproductive System (External structure):
Clitoris
Labia minora
Labia majora
Bartholin’s glands

Female Reproductive System (Major internal organs):

Vagina and uterus
ovaries

The vagina is attached to the uterus through the cervix and the fallopian tubes connect the uterus to
the ovaries
Fertilization occurs if a sperm enters the fallopian tube and burrows into the egg

Usually, the fertilization occurs in the oviducts, but it can also happen in the uterus itself

Then, the egg implants itself in the lining of the uterus and the processes of embryogenesis and
morphogenesis begins.

4 Erogenous Zones
Greek word “eros” meaning “to love”
English word “genous” meaning “procreating and producing”

Erogenous zones are believed to be the areas of the human body that are highly sensitive which may
generate:
Relaxation
Excitement
Sexual fantasies
Sexual arousal

Various stages of the psychosexual growth and development also have different erogenous zones

Sigmund Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development

The Oral Stage
Age Range: Birth to 1 Year
Erogenous Zone: Mouth

During the oral stage, the infant's primary source of interaction occurs through the mouth, so the
rooting and sucking reflex is especially important.

The Anal Stage

Age Range: 1 to 3 years
Erogenous Zone: Anal region (anus & urethra)

During the anal stage, Freud believed that the primary focus of the libido was on controlling bladder
and bowel movements. The major conflict at this stage is toilet training--the child has to learn to
control his or her bodily needs. Developing this control leads to a sense of accomplishment and
independence.

The Latent Stage

Age Range: 6 to Puberty
Erogenous Zone: no specific erogenous zone (Sexual Feelings Are Inactive)

During this stage, the superego continues to develop while the id's energies are suppressed. Children
develop social skills, values and relationships with peers and adults outside of the family.

The latent period is a time of exploration in which the sexual energy repressed or dormant.

The Genital Stage

Age Range: Puberty to Death
Erogenous Zone: Genitals

The onset of puberty causes the libido to become active once again. During the final stage of
psychosexual development, the individual develops a strong sexual interests. This stage begins during
puberty but lasts throughout the rest of a person's life.
Erogenous Zones on the Human
Body
1. Clitoris
2. Vagina
3. Cervix
4. Mouth and Lips
5. Neck
6. Breasts and Nipples
7. Ears

1. Penis
2. Mouth and Lips
3. Scrotum
4. Neck
5. Nipples
6. Perineum
7. Ears

5 The Chemistry of Beauty, Desire, Attraction, Lust, Love, and Attachment

Beauty – criterion we set on who we would find beautiful or handsome

Each of us has unique and personal druthers about beauty

“Beauty is altogether in the eyes of the beholder”
Scientific social science researches on human behaviors found that beauty, desire, attraction, lust,
love, and attachment have scientific explanations
All these tend to be founded on biology and hormones

We all know that the dynamics of love can be explained biologically through the chemistry and
interplay of hormonal releases, and there is a known biological formula of love.
Three (3) components of romantic love:
Lust
Attraction
Attachment

(Dr. Helen Fisher of Rutgers and a team of scientists)

Each component is characterized by its own set biogenic amines or hormones that emanate from the
brain

Testosterone
primary male sex hormone
an anabolic steroid
plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate
promotes secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth
of body hair.

Estrogen
primary female sex hormone
responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex
characteristics

Dopamine
is released when we do things that feel good to us
include spending time with loved ones and having sex

Norepinephrine
is released during attraction
this chemical makes us giddy, energetic, and euphoric, even leading to decreased appetite and
insomnia – which means you actually can be so “in love” that you can’t eat and can’t sleep

Serotonin
a hormone that’s known to be involved in appetite and mood

Oxytocin
known also as the love hormone
provokes feelings of contentment, calmness, and security, which are often associated with mate
bonding
Vasopressin
is linked to behavior that produces long-term, monogamous relationships

6 Dynamics of The Human Sexual Response, Biology and Diversity of Sexual

Behaviors
William Masters and Virginia Johnson conducted a longitudinal research on the human sexual
response cycle
Result: more than 10,000 cycles of sexual arousal for 12 years

The human sexual response starts when the hypothalamus stimulates the production of the sex
steroids, testosterone (male) and estrogen (female)

These hormones increase libido (enhances sexual desire)

The human sexual response is also affected by dopamine which is also produced by the hypothalamus

Dopamine is released when things are gleeful

High-level release of dopamine and norepinephrine includes:
Spending time with loved ones
Being close to them in casual meetings

These conditions facilitate the experience of attraction towards an endeared person

It also renders one to behave as intensely “in love” and may even make one sleepless and unable to
eat
It was revealed that attraction led to deficient releases of exogenously produced serotonin

Serotonin:
A hormone that heralds one’s appetite and mood or emotional disposition
The forerunner of the feeling of inevitable infatuation
Signals the beginning of love and attachment

Oxytocin and Vasopressin

Were known for their functions in labor, childbirth, milk production, and blood pressure dynamics

Were also known for their roles in maternal-infant bonding and closeness (induces a trusting
relationship and cooperation between mother and child)

These hormones are involved in sexual behaviors, social recognitions, and stress responses, which
acquired them the term “peptides of love and fear”
7Sex as a Divine Gift
Hansel and Rose Dwight
- states that one often tends to be engrossed with the physical aspects of sexuality, without
knowing that everything we do are all reflections of our sexuality and is related to how we see
ourselves.

“ Look at the quality of the RELATIONSHIPS; rather than the BEHAVIOR”

-Barwell,1988

Love of Intimacy
Courtesy
Acceptance
Caring
Trust
Affection
Sensuality
Genital Intimacy

…other social issues

equal rights
women’s liberation
same-sex marriage
reproductive health
PRE-MARITAL SEX
Progression of sexual intimacy is BAD

COMMON EXCUSES
SEEKS TO GAIN AFFECTION
…but SEX at a proper age, at a proper time, in a proper place, … in a proper context would be self-
fulfilling for both.

8 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION

- An infection passed from one person to another person through sexual contact.
- An infection is when a bacteria, virus, or parasite enters and grows in or on your body

HOW CAN SOMEONE GET AN STI?

Vaginal Sex
Anal Sex
Oral Sex

Transmission from a mother to baby during childbirth

Skin to skin contact
Sharing Equipment

WHO GETS STIs?

Young people ages 15-24 years old
Long-term travelers
Sex Workers
People who experience Sexual Molestation

3 TYPES OF STI
Bacterial STIs
Parasitic STIs
Viral STIs
1BACTERIAL STIs

Chlamydia
Among the most common bacterial STIs in the world
Passed by having unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex
Condoms can help prevent the spread of chlamydia during vaginal/anal sex
Condoms or dental dams can be used for protection during oral sex
Most people have no symptoms
The infection can be cured with a single dose of antibiotics
A person can get the infection again, so their partners should also be tested.
Remember chlamydia is CURABLE!

Gonorrhea
Sexually transmitted bacterial infection
Passed along by having unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex
Condoms can help prevent the spread of gonorrhea during vaginal or anal sex
Condoms or dental dams can be used for protection during oral sex
Most people have no symptoms
The infection can be cured with antibiotics
A person can get the infection again, so their partners should also be tested
Remember gonorrhea is CURABLE!
Syphilis
Rare sexually transmitted bacterial infection
Can cause serious damage to the body if not cured, including death
Passed along by having unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex
Condoms can help prevent the spread of syphilis during vaginal or anal sex
Condoms or dental dams can be used for protection during oral sex
Syphilis produces a wide range of symptoms that are often confused with other illnesses
Some people have no symptoms at all
The infection can be cured antibiotics
A person can get the infection again, so their partners should also be tested
Remember syphilis is CURABLE!

2 PARASITIC STIs
3 VIRAL STIs
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Genital Herpes
Hepatitis
HIV/AIDS

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Very contagious virus
Some people never get symptoms
HPV is spread through skin to skin contact, oral, anal and vaginal sex with an infected partner
Some types cause genital warts and other types can cause of the cervix

Treatment
Treatments remove warts but does not remove the virus from the blood.
Most warts will clear over time.
There is no cure for HPV.

Genital Herpes
Caused by the Herpes Simple Virus (HSV)
Spread through skin to skin contact and oral, anal and vaginal sex.
Some people with herpes never develop sores, but are still contagious and may spread it to others
without knowing.
People who have an initial outbreak can have more outbreaks throughout the rest of their life.
Herpes is NOT CURABLE. It is TREATABLE

Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a virus that affects your liver
It can cause permanent liver disease and cancer of the liver
Hepatitis A and B can be prevented by vaccines
There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C
Hepatitis is NOT CURABLE

How is Hepatitis transmitted

Hepatitis A is transmitted through fecal oral route.
Hepatitis B transmitted through blood and bodily fluids.
Hepatitis C transmitted mostly through blood but also through blood but also through bodily fluids.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

HIV is the initial infection
AIDS is the advances stage of the disease
Over a period of time, the virus attacks damages the body’s immune and nervous system
How is HIV/AIDS spread?
The virus is spread through bodily fluids
Decrease risk with condom use
There is no cure for HIV infection
Once infected, you have HIV for life

HOW CAN WE PREVENT STI?

The best way to prevent an STI is to not have vaginal, oral or anal. Practice ABSTINENCE.

If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps:
1. Get vaccinated
2. Use condoms
3. Get tested
4. Be monogamous
5. Limit your number of Sex partners
6. Do not douche
7. Do not abuse alcohol or drugs

9 Responsible Parenting
Is the will and a shared responsibility between parents to determine the desired number, spacing and
timing
of their children accdg. to their own family life aspirations, taking into account psychological
preparedness, health status, socio-cultural
and economic concerns.

R.A.10354
- also known as the Act for a National Policy on Responsible Parenthood of 2012

Optimal Environment
Parents shall be stable in all perspectives; bio-psychosocial-spiritual-cultural-sexual stability

Responsibilities of a Parent in raising their children

*Shelter
*Food
*Educational Support
*Financial Stability
*Guidance
*LOVE