DOCSLIB.ORG

Sexual Behavior Among 1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Sexual Behavior Among 1 Sexual Behavior Among Costa Ricans and Euro-Americans Gloriana Rodríguez Arauz A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Health Psychology Department of Psychology Central Connecticut State University New Britain, Connecticut April 2010 Thesis Advisor Dr. Marisa Mealy Department of Psychology Sexual Behavior Among 2 Sexual Behavior Among Costa Ricans and Euro-Americans Gloriana Rodríguez Arauz An Abstract of a Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Health Psychology Department of Psychology Central Connecticut State University New Britain, Connecticut April 2010 Thesis Advisor Dr. Marisa Mealy Department of Psychology Key Words: Sexual Behavior, Culture, Costa Rica, United States Sexual Behavior Among 3 Abstract Sex is a vital part of oneself. Due to its biological and social functions, sex has a profound impact on an individual‟s physical and psychological health. Risky sexual behavior may have particularly harmful consequences, including contracting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections, lowered self-esteem, unwanted pregnancy, and the experience of social stigma. There are moral battles fought over sex education or abstinence only programs, yet what exactly is understood by the word “sex” is often left to the interpretation of the individual. In fact, although evidence suggests that there is a high level of agreement indicating that both penile-vaginal and anal intercourse are considered “having sex,” this consensus does not extend to other behaviors, such as oral sex (Randall & Byers, 2003; Trotter & Alderson, 2007). Several factors are believed to influence variations in definitions of sex, including perceptions of behavioral appropriateness, the level of commitment in a relationship, and gender. Additionally, many cultures hold different norms and values in relation to appropriate behavior, relationships, and gender roles. Yet, research regarding the impact of ethnocultural influences on perceptions of sexual behavior has been limited. This thesis explores definitions of sex and the perceived appropriateness of sexual behaviors in two cultures with contrasting values: Costa Rica and the United States. Results suggest that although both cultures define penile-vaginal and anal intercourse as sex, Costa Ricans consider behaviors associated with foreplay, oral sex, and phone/cyber sex as „having sex‟ more frequently than their Euro-American counterparts. For Euro- American participants, oral sex was considered sex only when it occurred within a new Sexual Behavior Among 4 relationship, while foreplay and phone/cyber sex were almost never considered „having sex‟. On the other hand, for Costa Ricans, behaviors associated with phone/cyber sex were perceived as „having sex‟ only within a new relationship, while all other categories of behavior were defined as sex regardless of context. Findings also suggest that relational commitments are a stronger contextual barrier in perceptions of appropriate of sexual behavior among Costa Ricans, when compared to Euro-Americans. In fact, the majority of Euro-American respondents rated all sexual behaviors as appropriate prior to a formal commitment (marriage or domestic partnership). The only exception to this was among the Euro-American females, who indicated that anal sex was only appropriate within the context of a formal committed relationship. On the other hand, Costa Ricans generally rated the sexual behaviors as appropriate after a minimum of 3 months dating. For Costa Rican females, phone/cyber sex was only appropriate within the context of a formal commitment and anal sex was almost never considered appropriate. This thesis demonstrates the importance of considering culture when exploring sexual behavior. It explains cultural differences in accordance with the theoretical implications of individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, and conservative morality. Furthermore, it discusses implications for intercultural relationships, the design of prevention programs, and health care. Sexual Behavior Among 5 Sexual Behavior among Costa Ricans and Euro-Americans Sex is universal, but it is one of the most taboo topics. It is “something nobody talks about, but everybody does something about” (Levinger, 1966, p. 261). Sexual behaviors fulfill a number of needs for both the self and partner: procreation, pleasure, and intimacy. In addition to being a biologically hard-wired function, sex is subject to societal expectations and ideas that profoundly impact our experience (Hofstede, 1998). It is often considered alluring, pleasurable, and the quintessential expression of freedom. Simultaneously, sex is seen as something mysterious, disgusting, and even dangerous (Michael, Gagnon, Laumann & Kolata, 1995). The way that a person thinks about sex feeds myths and misconceptions, governs sexual behavior, and leads judgments about the self and others (Michael, et al. 1995). A person‟s understanding of sex may have a strong impact on both personal behavior and the conceptualization of the self. For example, if a teenage boy has not had sex by the time the majority of his friends have, he may wonder if there is something “wrong” with him. He might also make unwise sexual choices to prove his masculinity. When sexual behavior is perceived as socially inappropriate, it is considered promiscuous. Promiscuity is defined in terms of deviant quantities of casual and indiscriminate sexual behavior, according to the norms of a determined society (Clayton & Trafimow, 2007; Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2003). Female promiscuity in particular tends to be linked to negative attributions. If a woman‟s sexual conduct is not considered proper, she may be perceived as being a member of a low socioeconomic status or as cognitively and emotionally unstable (Ericsson & Jon 2006; Attwood, 2007). Sexual Behavior Among 6 In the United States, over 90% of college students are believed to be sexually active, and many engage in unprotected sex (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2002). Engaging in this type of risky sexual behavior is frequently cited as the primary reason for the spread of sexually transmitted infections (United States Food and Drug Administration [FDA], 1990; Rutgers Health Services, 2005). While a few sexually transmitted infections may be fairly harmless, most, if left untreated, could cause cancer, birth defects, infertility, and/or death. One of the deadliest consequences of engaging in risky sexual behavior is the transmission of the HIV virus and the development of AIDS. In fact, since 1981, over 25 million people (more than 3 times the population of New York City) have died as a result of the AIDS epidemic (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS], 2008). Additionally, it is estimated that on a global level approximately half of all new HIV infections happen among people 15-24 years of age (UNAIDS, 2008). Defining Sex Sex is ever-present and is a prime factor in defining one‟s identity. Risky sexual behavior is the source of major health concerns in the US and worldwide. However, what exactly is understood by the word “sex” is often left to the interpretation of the performer or the receiver of the behavior. In fact, a number of factors appear to influence what people actually define as sex. Sex is primarily defined in terms of the behaviors people consider to be part of a sexual encounter: penile-vaginal intercourse, oral sex, petting or fondling of breasts and genitals, etc. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2003) defines the act of sex as “the activities associated with sexual intercourse.” The book “Questions Kids Ask about Sex” defines it as occurring when one person touches the other‟s genitals Sexual Behavior Among 7 and that person is sexually aroused (Fitch & Cox, 2007). The United States Center for Disease Control included penile-vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, and oral sex in their definition of sex (CDC, 2002). And, when Bill Clinton was president of the United States, he argued that oral sex wasn‟t sex at all (CBS Broadcasting Inc., 2009). The diversity of definitions and understandings make it clear that there is no general agreement about what constitutes having “had sex” and how sexual partners should be counted (Sanders & Reinisch, 1999). Empirical studies have shown that there is a high level of consensus among young adults that both penile-vaginal intercourse and penile-anal intercourse can be defined as sex (Sanders & Reinisch, 1999; Richters & Song, 1999; Randall & Byers, 2003; Trotter & Alderson, 2007; Peterson & Muehlenhard, 2007). However, there is little agreement about the inclusion of other behaviors. Randall and Byers (2003) found that a small percentage of Canadian students (14%) considered phone or cyber sex to be sex. Findings are even more divided regarding oral sex. Approximately 60% of U.S. Americans do not consider oral sex to be having sex - if it was the most intimate contact they have had until that moment (Sanders & Reinsch, 1999; Richters & Song, 1999). Appropriateness of Sexual Behaviors Sexual experience may be influenced by the appropriateness of various sexual behaviors (DeLamater & Maccorquodale, 1979; Davis & Kaats, 1972). Penile-vaginal intercourse is commonly perceived as standard sexual behavior for married heterosexual couples. It is necessary for procreation as well as for pleasure, and is considered an appropriate behavior for even the most conservative individuals
Recommended publications
  • Pornography Is an Addiction and an Addiction Is Behaviour Shaping

    Pornography Is an Addiction and an Addiction Is Behaviour Shaping

    To: The Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications. For your perusal. PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY Pornography is an addiction and an addiction is behaviour shaping, leading to the nullifying of any moral compass, hence, the Senate inquiry into the impact of online pornography on Australian children is most welcomed. INTRODUCTION. At the recent ‘Porn Harms Kids’ seminar held in the University of Sydney, the head of the Australian Childhood Foundation, Dr Joe Tucci, rang the alarm bells re an emerging public health crisis among our nation’s youth. He elaborated on how the widespread availability of pornography ‘online’ was detrimentally shaping children’s behaviour. Dr Tucci also highlighted the research which revealed the high percentage of those under the age of 16 (boys and girls) visiting pornographic websites. The tragedy is that health authorities are seeing an increase in the number of youngsters participating in problematic sexual behaviour with other children, ultimately, potential adults emerging with ongoing sexually offending lifestyles towards others. The following extract from this seminar is succinct: Attendee Tim Gordon, 23, from Melbourne, said he was addicted to pornography from the age of 11 to 13. "For me personally porn made it pretty difficult to see women as anything other than sex objects," Mr Gordon said. We are seeing that some women, especially young ones, are being coerced into sexual acts that might not be appealing to them. "To a certain extent, no matter how much you try and tell yourself that they're intelligent, complex people, your mind just doesn't let you when you're in that space; porn has a way of just dominating your mind." Coralie Alison from anti-pornography group Collective Shout agreed that early exposure to pornography online was affecting the way some young men treated women.
  • Phenomenological Claim of First Sexual Intercourse Among Individuals of Varied Levels of Sexual Self-Disclosure

    Phenomenological Claim of First Sexual Intercourse Among Individuals of Varied Levels of Sexual Self-Disclosure

    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2005 Phenomenological claim of first sexual intercourse among individuals of varied levels of sexual self-disclosure Lindsey Takara Doe The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Doe, Lindsey Takara, "Phenomenological claim of first sexual intercourse among individuals of varied levels of sexual self-disclosure" (2005). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 5441. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/5441 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University of Montana Permission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature Yes, I grant permission ___ No, I do not grant permission ___ Author's Signature: Date: ^ h / o 5 __________________ Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's
  • On the Economic Origins of Constraints on Women's Sexuality

    On the Economic Origins of Constraints on Women's Sexuality

    On the Economic Origins of Constraints on Women’s Sexuality Anke Becker* November 5, 2018 Abstract This paper studies the economic origins of customs aimed at constraining female sexuality, such as a particularly invasive form of female genital cutting, restrictions on women’s mobility, and norms about female sexual behavior. The analysis tests the anthropological theory that a particular form of pre-industrial economic pro- duction – subsisting on pastoralism – favored the adoption of such customs. Pas- toralism was characterized by heightened paternity uncertainty due to frequent and often extended periods of male absence from the settlement, implying larger payoffs to imposing constraints on women’s sexuality. Using within-country vari- ation across 500,000 women in 34 countries, the paper shows that women from historically more pastoral societies (i) are significantly more likely to have under- gone infibulation, the most invasive form of female genital cutting; (ii) are more restricted in their mobility, and hold more tolerant views towards domestic vio- lence as a sanctioning device for ignoring such constraints; and (iii) adhere to more restrictive norms about virginity and promiscuity. Instrumental variable es- timations that make use of the ecological determinants of pastoralism support a causal interpretation of the results. The paper further shows that the mechanism behind these patterns is indeed male absenteeism, rather than male dominance per se. JEL classification: I15, N30, Z13 Keywords: Infibulation; female sexuality; paternity uncertainty; cultural persistence. *Harvard University, Department of Economics and Department of Human Evolutionary Biology; [email protected]. 1 Introduction Customs, norms, and attitudes regarding the appropriate behavior and role of women in soci- ety vary widely across societies and individuals.
  • The Significance Of

    The Significance Of

    BioSystems 110 (2012) 156–161 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect BioSystems jo urnal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/biosystems The significance of sex a,b,c,∗ d Arto Annila , Erkki Annila a Institute of Biotechnology, Viikinkaari 1, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland b Department of Physics, Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland c Department of Biosciences, Viikinkaari 1, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland d Finnish Forest Research Institute, Jokiniemenkuja 1, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: Sexual and asexual modes of proliferation are associated with advantages and disadvantages, yet a pro- Received 25 July 2012 found percept that would account for both ways of reproduction is missing. On the basis of the 2nd law Received in revised form of thermodynamics we find that both sexual and asexual reproduction can be regarded as a means to 14 September 2012 consume free energy in least time. Parthenogenesis is a fast way to consume a rich repository of free Accepted 17 September 2012 energy, e.g., an ample stock of food with a large number of individuals, whereas sexual reproduction is a fast way to consume diverse and dispersed resources with a large variety of individuals. Most organisms Keywords: have adapted to their surroundings accordingly and some organisms switch from one mode of repro- Entropy duction to the other depending on the amount and dispersion of free-energy sources. We conclude that Free energy the least-time free energy consumption in respective surroundings, as the general criterion of natural Natural process Reproduction selection, determines also sexual and asexual modes of reproduction.
  • Male Mounting Alone Reduces Female Promiscuity in the Fowl

    Male Mounting Alone Reduces Female Promiscuity in the Fowl

    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Elsevier - Publisher Connector Current Biology, Vol. 15, 1222–1227, July 12, 2005, ©2005 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved. DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2005.05.060 Male Mounting Alone Reduces Female Promiscuity in the Fowl Hanne Løvlie,1 Charles K. Cornwallis,2 dence suggests that in addition to, or in combination and Tommaso Pizzari3,* with, these highly derived traits, the basic stimulus pro- 1Department of Zoology vided by male mounting may also influence female re- University of Stockholm productive behavior, with important implications for SE-106 91 sperm competition [24, 29–32]. However, despite much Sweden recent interest in promiscuity, the female response to 2 Department of Animal and Plant Sciences mounting per se has not been investigated, partly as a University of Sheffield result of the difficulty of decoupling mounting from in- S10 2TN semination. United Kingdom Here, we adopt a novel technique to separate the in- 3 Edward Grey Institute dependent influence of mounting from that of insemina- Department of Zoology tion on female propensity to remate in the promiscuous University of Oxford feral fowl Gallus gallus domesticus. Oxford OX1 3PS We investigated the functional significance of mount- United Kingdom ing in the fowl and tested two critical predictions: that male mounting per se reduces female propensity to re- mate, and that it reduces the number of sperm that a Summary female obtains from new males, thus reducing the level of sperm competition. In the fowl, like in most other The fertilization success of an insemination is at risk bird species, males lack an intromittent organ and de- when a female has the possibility to copulate with posit the ejaculate on the female cloaca, without intro- multiple males, generating sperm competition [1] and mission and no or minimal cloacal contact [33].
  • GENDER STUDIES 19(1)/2020 109 10.2478/Genst-2021-0007 DOES

    GENDER STUDIES 19(1)/2020 109 10.2478/Genst-2021-0007 DOES

    GENDER STUDIES 19(1)/2020 10.2478/genst-2021-0007 DOES TRADITIONAL MEAN GOOD? A PILOT STUDY ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF WOMEN AND MEN KRISTINA FERNANDES University of Vienna, Austria [email protected] Abstract: Gender stereotyping remains a pervasive issue in society. Gender stereotypes are cognitive structures containing socially shared knowledge and expectations about women and men. Research has found that the dimensions evaluation (sweetheart vs. bitch) and traditionality (businessman vs. stay-at-home dad) have high explanatory power for identifying gender stereotypes. As a pilot study, the current paper investigates the traditionality and evaluation perceptions of expressions for women and men in English and Spanish, analysing them in the framework of Conceptual Metaphor and Metonymy Theory. In an online questionnaire, university students in London and Madrid rated 20 expressions for women (e.g. Eng. bitch, Spa. princesa) and men (e.g. Eng. player, Spa. cabrón), previously produced by themselves in single brainstorming sessions. The results indicate the existence of gender stereotypes, especially regarding promiscuity, and a correlation between traditionality and evaluation. Surprisingly and contrary to previous research, female participants produce more promiscuous subtypes than male participants. Keywords: gender stereotypes, production, perception, traditionality, evaluation, Conceptual Metaphor and Metonymy Theory 109 GENDER STUDIES 19(1)/2020 1. Introduction Gender stereotyping remains a pervasive issue in society. Gender stereotypes are cognitive structures containing socially shared knowledge and expectations about characteristics of women and men (Eckes, 2010, p. 178). While they overemphasize alleged differences between women and men regarding personality traits, capabilities and interests, they ignore actual variation.
  • Sexual Fantasy and Masturbation Among Asexual Individuals: an In-Depth Exploration

    Sexual Fantasy and Masturbation Among Asexual Individuals: an In-Depth Exploration

    Arch Sex Behav (2017) 46:311–328 DOI 10.1007/s10508-016-0870-8 SPECIAL SECTION: THE PUZZLE OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION Sexual Fantasy and Masturbation Among Asexual Individuals: An In-Depth Exploration 1 1 2 Morag A. Yule • Lori A. Brotto • Boris B. Gorzalka Received: 4 January 2016 / Revised: 8 August 2016 / Accepted: 20 September 2016 / Published online: 23 November 2016 Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016 Abstract Human asexuality is generally defined as a lack of pants(bothmenandwomen)wereequallylikelytofantasizeabout sexual attraction. We used online questionnaires to investigate topics such as fetishes and BDSM. reasons for masturbation, and explored and compared the con- tentsofsexualfantasiesofasexualindividuals(identifiedusing Keywords Asexuality Á Sexual orientation Á Masturbation Á the Asexual Identification Scale) with those of sexual individ- Sexual fantasy uals. A total of 351 asexual participants (292 women, 59 men) and 388sexualparticipants(221women,167men)participated.Asex- ual women were significantly less likely to masturbate than sexual Introduction women, sexual men, and asexual men. Asexual women were less likely to report masturbating for sexual pleasure or fun than their Although the definition of asexuality varies somewhat, the gen- sexualcounterparts, and asexualmen were less likely to reportmas- erallyaccepteddefinitionisthedefinitionforwardedbythelargest turbating forsexualpleasure than sexualmen. Both asexualwomen online web-community of asexual individuals (Asexuality Visi- andmen weresignificantlymorelikelythansexualwomenand
  • Kinky Sex: When Did BDSM Become So Wildly Popular? by Carl Frankel, Alternet Posted on June 2, 2010, Printed on June 7, 2010

    Kinky Sex: When Did BDSM Become So Wildly Popular? by Carl Frankel, Alternet Posted on June 2, 2010, Printed on June 7, 2010

    Kinky Sex: When Did BDSM Become So Wildly Popular? By Carl Frankel, AlterNet Posted on June 2, 2010, Printed on June 7, 2010 http://www.alternet.org/story/147084/ It’s just another day at The Armory in San Francisco: A bound and naked woman is laid out on a stylish serving table. Elegantly-dressed people of both sexes gather around—enjoying the view, apparently—and take turns having their way with her. Various devices are deployed— dildos, floggers, electrical stimulators. She says “Thank you, sir” and “Thank you, madam” frequently. Welcome to "The Upper Floor," a high-definition Internet reality show where, website copy states, “real submissive women and real submissive men become house slaves to be dominated, trained, punished, spanked, whipped, and fucked … Inspired by the legendary French BDSM erotic novel The Story of O, The Upper Floor illustrates real lifestyle BDSM as it is lived by 24/7 slaves and Masters, complete with … explicit sex in bondage, punishment, erotic humiliation, and more.” The Upper Floor is a project of Kink.com, a thriving pornography business that was founded by Peter Acworth, a British-born entrepreneur and lifelong aficionado of BDSM (for Bondage, Domination, Submission—or Sadism—and Masochism). Kink.com sells subscriptions to websites with names like Hogtied.com, SexandSubmission.com and, yes, TheUpperFloor.com. Acworth often attends these, er, corporate events. “He’s the master of the house,” says colleague John Sander. Only in Satan’s City by the Bay, right? Not exactly. Acworth was recently invited to speak at a summit on innovation convened by the ever-so-respectable The Economist.
  • The Impact of Pornography on Children [Pdf]

    The Impact of Pornography on Children [Pdf]

    The Impact of Pornography on Children American College of Pediatricians – June 2016 ABSTRACT: The availability and use of pornography has become almost ubiquitous among adults and adolescents. Consumption of pornography is associated with many negative emotional, psychological, and physical health outcomes. These include increased rates of depression, anxiety, acting out and violent behavior, younger age of sexual debut, sexual promiscuity, increased risk of teen pregnancy, and a distorted view of relationships between men and women. For adults, pornography results in an increased likelihood of divorce which is also harmful to children. The American College of Pediatricians urges healthcare professionals to communicate the risks of pornography use to patients and their families and to offer resources both to protect children from viewing pornography and to treat individuals suffering from its negative effects. Introduction: Pornography may be defined as “the depiction of erotic behavior (sexual display in pictures or writing) that is intended to cause sexual excitement” in the viewer. 1 Over the past decade there has been a large increase in the pornographic material that is available to both adults and children. Mainstream pornography use has grown common because it is accessible, affordable, and anonymous. It is accessible because it is just a few keystrokes away on the Internet. It is affordable because many online sites offer free pornography to lure viewers to their web sites. Other sites simply post third party videos and do not charge the viewer for web traffic. It is anonymous because it can be viewed in the privacy of a person’s home. There is no longer a need to visit an adult book store or the local XXX theatre.
  • Therapy for Premature Ejaculation

    Therapy for Premature Ejaculation

    pISSN: 2287-4208 / eISSN: 2287-4690 World J Mens Health 2016 December 34(3): 173-178 https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.2016.34.3.173 Review Article Ancient Chinese Fangzhongshu (Sexual Skills and Methods) Therapy for Premature Ejaculation Yong Zhu1, Qiang Chen2, Yuexing Gu1, Jin Yue1, Qingqi Zeng3 1Department of Andrology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Yancheng City Affiliated with the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yancheng, 2Institute of Andrology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 3Department of Integrative Medicine, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational College, Nanjing, China Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common male sexual dysfunction that can have significant effects on a couple’s relationship. Behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are both safe and effective methods of treating PE. Ancient Chinese fangzhongshu (sexual skills and methods), which reflects a summary of expert experiences in sexology, contains many therapies for sexual dysfunction that are similar to those used in behavioral therapy or psychotherapy. A brief introduction dealing with the latest definitions of PE and treatment strategies drawn from behavioral therapy and psychotherapy is provided. Typical therapies for PE from ancient Chinese fangzhongshu are listed and briefly analyzed in order to define their domain of applicability and instructions for use. Ancient Chinese fangzhongshu contains many effective and safe therapies for PE. It should be incorporated into modern medical practice after critical analysis, and its scientific aspects should be promoted as a way of improving reproductive health, both to benefit individuals affected by PE and to promote traditional Chinese culture. Based on an analysis of the condition of the individual patient, one or multiple therapies guided by fangzhongshu can be expected to have an effect on the patient.
  • Sexuality Across the Lifespan Childhood and Adolescence Introduction

    Sexuality Across the Lifespan Childhood and Adolescence Introduction

    Topics in Human Sexuality: Sexuality Across the Lifespan Childhood and Adolescence Introduction Take a moment to think about your first sexual experience. Perhaps it was “playing doctor” or “show me yours and I’ll show you mine.” Many of us do not think of childhood as a time of emerging sexuality, although we likely think of adolescence in just that way. Human sexual development is a process that occurs throughout the lifespan. There are important biological and psychological aspects of sexuality that differ in children and adolescents, and later in adults and the elderly. This course will review the development of sexuality using a lifespan perspective. It will focus on sexuality in infancy, childhood and adolescence. It will discuss biological and psychological milestones as well as theories of attachment and psychosexual development. Educational Objectives 1. Describe Freud’s theory of psychosexual development 2. Discuss sexuality in children from birth to age two 3. Describe the development of attachment bonds and its relationship to sexuality 4. Describe early childhood experiences of sexual behavior and how the child’s natural sense of curiosity leads to sexual development 5. Discuss common types of sexual play in early childhood, including what is normative 6. Discuss why it is now thought that the idea of a latency period of sexual development is inaccurate 7. Discuss differences in masturbation during adolescence for males and females 8. List and define the stages of Troiden’s model for development of gay identity 9. Discuss issues related to the first sexual experience 10. Discuss teen pregnancy Freud’s Contributions to Our Understanding of Sexual Development Prior to 1890, it was widely thought that sexuality began at puberty.

  • Sexual Problems Among Family Medicine Patients

    Sexual Problems Among Family Medicine Patients James T. Moore, MD, and Yonkel Goldstein, PhD Durham and Fayetteville, North Carolina A self-administered questionnaire assessing sexual satisfaction and presence of a number of common sexual problems was developed. Following assessment of reliability and validity, the questionnaire was administered to 142 patients seen in a family medicine center. While 56 percent of patients reported one or more sexual problems, such problems were noted in the medical record in 22 percent of the cases. The nature of many of the problems (ie, techniques of foreplay, fear of pregnancy, and differences in attitudes and expectations between partners) suggests an effective role in treatment for the primary care phy­ sician. While much attention has been focused on sons with sexual problems will probably continue treatment of sexual problems, there is little infor­ to be seen by primary care physicians rather than mation available about the extent of sexual prob­ specialty treatment clinics. In addition, several lems seen in primary care settings. Most descrip­ workers have documented and discussed de­ tions of sexual problems and treatment programs ficiencies in medical education and treatment of have focused on sexual dysfunctions such as im­ sexual problems.5'9 It will be difficult to correct potence, premature ejaculation, dyspareunia, and these deficiencies until more is known about what anorgasmia.1'3 There is evidence, however, that kind of problems a primary care physician sees. such dysfunctions are far less common than “ sex­ The purpose of this study was to: ual difficulties.” In a survey of 100 couples, Frank 1.