Sexuality Education and Gender Identity Overview

Genital touching in infancy

Typically not sexual but may be a form of self-soothing or curiosity.

Parental concerns about genital touching

Parents might worry about this behavior, thinking it has sexual implications, but it's a normal part of development.

Parental teachings about the body

Can influence children in early childhood and middle childhood by using inclusive and accurate language.

Sexual socialization

Parents play a crucial role by teaching correct anatomical terms and responding comfortably to questions about sexuality.

Influences on adolescent sexuality

Can be influenced by peer interactions, family attitudes, and religious teachings.

Peer interactions

May contribute to norms about sexual behaviors among adolescents.

Family and religious beliefs

Can shape attitudes towards sexuality, influencing behaviors either conservatively or more openly.

Unintended pregnancy and STIs in adolescents

Adolescents may face higher risks due to insufficient knowledge, limited access to contraception, and risk-taking behaviors.

Biological and psychosocial development

Make adolescents more vulnerable to risks of unintended pregnancies and STIs.

Comprehensive sexuality education

Covers a broad range of topics including anatomy, reproduction, contraception, and consent.

Abstinence-only programs

Focus primarily on promoting abstinence until marriage as the only sure way to avoid STIs and unintended pregnancies.

Effects of sexuality education

Comprehensive sexuality education can lead to lower rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs among teenagers.

Behavioral Theory

Suggests that sexual orientation results from learned behaviors and experiences.

Sociological Theory

Suggests that societal norms and cultural contexts influence sexual orientation development.

Interactional Theory

Proposes that sexual orientation is shaped by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Homophobia

Fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are homosexual.

Heterosexism

A system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships.

Strategies for reducing homophobia

Education and awareness-raising about LGBTQ+ issues.

Inclusive policies

Promoting inclusive policies and practices in all social institutions.

Personal stories

Encouraging personal stories and encounters to humanize the issues.

Legal protection

Legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Liberal Religions

Generally more accepting and affirming of homosexuality, often supporting same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy.

Conservative Religions

Tend to view homosexual acts as sinful, although there is a growing movement within many of these faiths towards more compassionate approaches.

Legal advancements in gay rights

Significant advancements in gay rights, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015 (Obergefell v. Hodges).

Challenges in gay rights

Continuing challenges, including issues related to employment discrimination, transgender rights, and the right of businesses to refuse service based on religious beliefs.

Scabies Transmission

Direct skin-to-skin contact.

Scabies Symptoms

Intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash.

Scabies Treatment

Prescription scabicidal lotions or creams.

Gonorrhea Transmission

Through sexual contact including oral, anal, and vaginal sex.

Gonorrhea Symptoms

May include discharge, painful urination, and in women, possibly pelvic pain.

Gonorrhea Treatment

Antibiotics, but resistance is a growing issue.

Syphilis Transmission

Contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Syphilis Symptoms

Starts with a painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. Later stages can lead to rash, muscle aches, and fever.

Syphilis Treatment

Penicillin or other antibiotics.

Chlamydia Transmission

Sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner.

Chlamydia Symptoms

Often mild or absent. Possible discharge and burning with urination.

Chlamydia Treatment

Antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline.

Herpes (HSV) Transmission

Direct contact with herpes sores or blisters, or the skin area where the virus sheds.

Herpes (HSV) Symptoms

Blistering sores (usually on the mouth or genitals), pain during urination, itching.

Herpes (HSV) Treatment

No cure; antiviral medications can reduce symptoms and frequency of outbreaks.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Transmission

Skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Symptoms

Often asymptomatic; can cause genital warts and cervical and other cancers.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Treatment

No cure for the virus itself; treatments available for conditions caused by HPV, like genital warts and cervical pre-cancer.

Hepatitis (B and C) Transmission

HBV can be transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to child during childbirth. HCV is mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact.

Hepatitis (B and C) Symptoms

Many are asymptomatic. Those with symptoms may have jaundice, abdominal pain, and fatigue.

Hepatitis (B and C) Treatment

Vaccines available for Hepatitis B but not C. Antiviral drugs for chronic hepatitis B and C.

HIV Transmission

Through body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids, and breast milk.

HIV Symptoms

Initial flu-like illness followed by a long asymptomatic period. Without treatment, it can progress to AIDS.

HIV Treatment

No cure; antiretroviral therapy (ART) can manage the virus effectively.

AIDS

AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection, which can occur without treatment.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

ART is a treatment for HIV that can effectively manage the virus but does not cure it.

STIs without a cure

Certain STIs, such as herpes and HIV, do not have a cure but have treatments available to manage symptoms.

Transmission of STIs between women

STIs can be transmitted between two people with vulvas through skin-to-skin contact, mucosal contact, or exchange of bodily fluids.

Bacterial infections and STIs

Not all STIs are bacterial infections; they can also be caused by viruses or parasites and are not solely transmitted through infected body fluids.

Asymptomatic transmission of STIs

Many STIs can be transmitted even when no symptoms are present, which is a major factor in their spread.

Effective treatment for HIV

While there is no cure for HIV, effective treatments like ART are available that allow individuals to live longer, healthier lives.

Ineffective contraception methods

Methods like natural family planning or fertility awareness are considered less effective due to a high risk of error in predicting fertile days.

External condoms

External condoms create a barrier to prevent sperm from entering the vagina, are inexpensive, and reduce the risk of STIs.

Internal condoms

Internal condoms line the inside of the vagina to create a barrier against sperm and can be inserted hours before sex.

Cervical barriers

Cervical barriers like cervical caps or diaphragms fit over the cervix to block sperm and can be used with spermicide.

Combined Hormone Methods

These methods release estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, and thin the uterine lining.

Pill (contraceptive)

The pill is a combined hormone method that is taken daily.

NuvaRing

The NuvaRing is worn inside the vagina for 3 weeks and then removed for one week.

Patch (contraceptive)

The patch is worn on the skin, changed weekly for three weeks with a fourth week off.

Progestin-Only Hormone Methods

These methods release progestin to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus.

Minipill

The minipill is a progestin-only method taken daily without a break.

Implants (Nexplanon)

Implants are inserted under the skin of the arm and are effective for up to 4 years.

Injectables (Depo-Provera)

Injectables are administered every three months as a form of contraception.

Copper IUD (Paragard)

Toxic to sperm, effective for up to 12 years.

Hormonal IUD (Mirena, Liletta)

Releases progestin, effective for 5-6 years.

Plan B

Available over-the-counter, effective within 72 hours of unprotected sex, less effective in women over 165 lbs.

Ella

Prescription required, effective up to 5 days after unprotected sex, maintains effectiveness regardless of weight.

Copper IUD (Emergency Contraception)

Most effective form of emergency contraception, can be left in place for long-term contraception.

State restrictions on abortion procedures

Vary widely from state to state, with some requiring waiting periods, mandatory counseling, and parental consent for minors.

Abortion Statistics

Most abortions occur in the first trimester and are sought for various personal, social, and economic reasons.

Medication abortion

Available up to 10 weeks of gestation, involves taking pills (mifepristone and misoprostol).

In-clinic abortion

Can be performed later in pregnancy, includes methods like vacuum aspiration and dilation and evacuation.

Gender Roles

Culturally-defined norms and behaviors considered appropriate for individuals based on their perceived or assigned gender.

Gender Traits

Often thought of as innate or biologically determined characteristics specific to one gender, though many traits attributed to biological sex are influenced by socialization.

Innate gender behaviors/traits

Few gender behaviors or traits are conclusively proven to be innate; much of what is considered a gender trait is heavily influenced by cultural and societal factors.

Universal gender differences

Research generally finds that men and women are more similar than they are different, with societal and cultural expectations playing a significant role in the expression of gender differences.

Transgender Woman

Assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a woman.

Transgender Man

Assigned female at birth but identifies and lives as a man.

AMAB

Assigned Male at Birth: Terms used to describe the sex assignment of an individual at birth, regardless of their current gender identity.

AFAB

Assigned Female at Birth: Terms used to describe the sex assignment of an individual at birth, regardless of their current gender identity.

Agender

Someone who identifies as having no gender.

Bigender

Identifying as two genders, either simultaneously or varying between them.

Pangender

Identifying with all genders available within the cultural context.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Involves taking hormones to develop physical traits more aligned with a person's gender identity.

Surgeries for transgender people

Such as top surgery (breast augmentation or removal) and bottom surgery (alterations to genitalia).

Voice and Communication Therapy

To help individuals modify their vocal patterns and communication styles to align with their gender identity.