Gr 11/12 Health Terms

Sexuality

Sexuality involves more than genital sexual activity. It includes five major areas, sensuality , sexual intimacy, sexual identity, reproduction/sexual health and sexualization. These areas are described below.

Sensuality is what enables people to feel good about how their bodies look and feel. It allows them to enjoy the pleasure their bodies can give to them and others. The need to be touched by others in loving ways, the feeling of physical attraction for another person, body image and fantasy are all part of sensuality.

Sexual intimacy is the ability and the need to be emotionally close with another and to have that closeness returned. While sensuality refers more to physical aspects of our relationships, sexual intimacy focuses on emotional needs.

Sexual identity refers to people's understanding of who they are sexually, including

  1. gender identity (their sense of being male or female),
  2. their gender role (what men and what women are supposed to do) and
  3. their sexual orientation (which gender they have primary affectional and sexual attraction to).

Reproduction and sexual health is the most familiar aspect of sexuality. It includes all the behaviors and attitudes having to do with having healthy sexual relationships and having the ability to bear children.

Sexualization is using sex to influence, manipulate or control other people. Termed the "shadow" side of sexuality, sexualization spans behaviors that range from mutually enjoyable to harmlessly manipulative to violent and illegal. It includes such behaviors as flirting, seduction, withholding sex, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, incest and rape.

Discussion Questions to consider about cultural groups:

  • What are the "ideal" body types for men and women? Are those ideals different from the images represented in mainstream advertising? How? Are men and women generally happy with their bodies? Why or why not?
  • How is intimacy expressed? Do men and women appear to have different needs for intimacy? Is hand-holding, kissing or other forms of public affection considered acceptable or in bad taste?
  • How do men express feelings of closeness to other men? Women to other women?
  • Is sensuality expressed through clothing? How?
  • Is dating allowed? Are young people permitted to socialize in coed groups?
  • For heterosexual couples, which gender is encouraged to initiate romantic relationships by asking for a date? Which gender generally takes the lead in suggesting sexual involvement?
  • Are some sexual acts taboo? Which ones? With whom? When?
  • How is masturbation viewed?
  • Is contraception commonly used? Who is responsible for purchase and How is homosexuality viewed? Are lesbian, gay and bisexual people accepted as members of the community? Are they respected?
  • How do people flirt? What is expected behavior for men and for women? What age is seen as an acceptable one for first sexual intercourse? For males? For females? Do young people and older people agree on this? Why or why not?
  • Is childhood sexual abuse recognized as a problem? Is forced sex between partners perceived as a problem? What about sexual harassment?

Notes taken from

advocates for youth.org