The-Physical-Sexual-Self-Mutya

The Physical Self

• Activity:
  • Create an artistic representation of what they believe beauty is.
  • What does beauty mean to you?
  • How has the idea of beauty evolved over time?
  • Is beauty universal, or is it subjective and culturally influenced?
  • How does media and advertising impact our perception of beauty?

Philosophers' Views on Beauty

• Beauty was traditionally among the ultimate values along with goodness, truth, and justice.
• It was a primary theme among ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and medieval philosophers.
• By the beginning of the 20th century, beauty was in decline as a subject of philosophical inquiry.
• However, there were signs of revived interest by the early 2000s.
• Two most debated views about beauty:
  1. Beauty is objective
  2. Beauty is subjective
• By the 18th century, beauty was associated with pleasure as a personal preference. Some philosophers who hold this subjective view are:
  • David Hume
  • Immanuel Kant
  • Francis Hutcheson
• Before the 18th century, most Western philosophical views on beauty treated it as an objective quality. For example:
  • St. Augustine asked whether things were beautiful because it gave delight, or whether it gave delight because it was beautiful.
  • Plato connected beauty as a response to love and desire.
  • Aristotle asserted that the chief forms of beauty are order, symmetry, and definiteness.

Psychology's Discoveries About Beauty

• Research found that a person who is perceived as attractive makes more money than a person of below average looks.
• These study results can be attributed to a cognitive bias called the halo effect (physical attractiveness stereotype & the “what is beautiful is good principle”).
• A cognitive bias is an error in reasoning, evaluating, remembering, or any other mental process.
• Among the most important and consistent factors in facial attractiveness are structural qualities of the face. These structural qualities are also sex-typical.
• Our hormones sculpt our faces. These sex-typical facial features of adult men & women are the result of testosterone to estrogen ratio or estrogen to testosterone, respectively acting on the individual during development.

Cultural Traditions and Body Image

• Culture has significant impact on how a person feels about himself or herself, as well as hisher body image.
• Cultural traditions can either be a positive or negative influence on body image and on self-esteem.
• People see cultural group membership as an integral part of who they are.
• When “culture” is experienced as personally meaningful activity, it is difficult for a person to resist the conscious and unconscious ways that culture influences a person’s life.
• The Philippines is undoubtedly influenced by Western culture.
• Digitally retouched photos are the norm, and this mentality can negatively influence a person’s body image.

Body Image and Self-Esteem

• Self-esteem, according to William James, is the number of successes a person achieves in the domains of life that are important to him or her, divided by the number of failures that occurred in those areas.
• In the 1960s, behavioral scientists defined self-esteem in terms of attitude concerning one’s worth as a person (Rosenberg, 1965).
• Self-esteem is important because it can affect your mental health as well as how you behave.
• Body image is how you view your physical body, whether you feel you are attractive, and how you feel some other people like your looks.
• If you have a positive body image, you probably like and accept yourself the way you are, even if you do not fit the popular notion of “beautiful” or “handsome”.
• This healthy attitude allows you to explore some other aspects of growing up, such as developing good friendships, becoming more independent from your parents, and challenging yourself physically & mentally.

Importance of Physical Beauty

• Although saying “Don’t judge the book by its cover” is a wise thought from the conscious mind, your subconscious mind will contradict you.
• Physical beauty is extremely important.
• The dictionary’s definition of beauty is, “the degree to which a person’s physical traits are considered pleasing or beautiful.”
• A self-image problem happens when your looks do not match your beauty standards.
• The problem here is with your own beauty standards and not with your looks.

Sexual Orientation

The Sexual Self

Development of Secondary Sex Characteristics and Human Reproduction

• Soon after the fertilization of an egg, the development of the reproductive system begins.
• Rapid reproductive development happens inside the mother’s womb; but when the child is born until he/she reaches puberty, there is little change in the reproductive system.
• The female sex is considered the “fundamental” sex because if a particular chemical prompting is absent, all fertilized eggs will develop into females.
• For a fertilized egg to become male, a cascade of chemical reactions must be present initiated by a single gene in the male Y chromosomes called the SRY (sex-determining Region in the Y chromosomes).
• Both the male and the female embryos have the same group of cells that will potentially develop into male or female gonads or sex glands.

Further Sexual Development Occurs at Puberty

• Puberty is the stage of development at which individuals become sexually mature.
• The outcome of puberty is different for boys & girls, but the hormonal process is similar.
• Moreover, though the timing of these changes varies for every individual, the sequence of changes for boys and girls is predictable, resulting in adult physical characteristics and the capacity to reproduce.

Puberty Stages in Girls

• Stage One (approx. 8-11 years old):
  • The ovaries enlarge and hormone production starts, but external development is not yet visible.
• Stage Two (approx. 8-14 years old):
  • The first external sign of puberty is usually breast development.
  • At first breast buds develop.
  • The nipples will be tender and elevated.
  • The area around the nipple (the aureole) will increase in size.
  • The first stage of pubic hair may also be present at this time.
  • It may be coarse and curly or fine and straight.
  • Height and weight increase at this time. The body gets rounder and curvier.
• Stage Three (approx. 9 and 15):
  • Breast growth continues and pubic hair gets coarser and darker.
  • During this stage, whitish discharge from the vagina may be present.
  • For some girls, this is the time that the first menstrual period begins.
• Stage Four (approx. 10 to 16):
  • Some girls notice that their aureoles get even darker and separate into a little mound rising above the rest of the breast.
  • Pubic hair may begin to have a more adult triangular pattern of growth.
  • If it did not happen in Stage Three, menarche (first menstruation) should start now.
  • Ovulation may start now, too. But it will not necessarily occur on a regular basis. (It is possible to have regular periods even if ovulation does not occur every month.)
• Stage Five (approx. 12 and 19):
  • This is the final stage of development.
  • Full height is reached, and young women are ovulating regularly.
  • Pubic hair is filled in, and the breasts are developed fully for the body.

Puberty Stages in Boys

• Stage One (approx. 9 and 12):
  • No visible signs of development occur, but, internally, male hormones become a lot more active.
  • Sometimes a growth spurt begins at this time.
• Stage Two (approx. 9 to 15):
  • Height increases and the shape of the body changes.
  • Muscle tissue and fat develop at this time.
  • The aureole, the dark skin around the nipple, darkens and increases in size.
  • The testicles and scrotum grow, but the penis probably does not.
  • A little bit of pubic hair begins to grow at the base of the penis.
• Stage Three (approx.11 and 16):
  • The penis starts to grow during this stage.
  • It tends to grow in length rather than width.
  • Pubic hair is getting darker and coarser and spreading to where the legs meet the torso.
  • Also, boys continue to grow in height, and even their faces begin to appear more mature. The shoulders broaden, making the hips look smaller. Muscle tissue increases and the voice starts to change and deepen.
  • Finally, facial hair begins to develop on the upper lip.
• Stage Four (approx. 11 to 17):
  • At this time, the penis starts to grow in width, too.
  • The testicles and scrotum also continue to grow.
  • Hair may begin to grow on the anus.
  • The texture of the penis becomes more adult-looking.
  • Underarm and facial hair increases as well. Skin gets oilier, and the voice continues to deepen.
• Stage Five (approx. 14 to 18):
  • Boys reach their full adult height.
  • Pubic hair and the genitals look like an adult man's do.
  • At this point, too, shaving is a necessity. Some young men continue to grow past this point, even into their twenties.

Puberty Stages

Erogenous Zones

• Popularized in the 1960s and 70s to describe areas of the body that are highly sensitive to stimuli and are often (but not always) sexually exciting.
• In this context, “highly sensitive” means these areas of the body have a high number of sensory receptors or nerve endings that react to stimuli.
• These are places where a person is generally more sensitive to both pain and pleasure than in other areas of the body have a high number of sensory receptors or nerve endings that react to stimuli.
• These are places where a person is generally more sensitive to both pain and pleasure than in other areas of the body.
• Professionals usually discuss sensuality in terms of the complex stimuli and the association that give rise to an appreciative response.

The Skin

1. Nonspecific type
   • It is similar to any other portion of the usual haired skin
   • The nerves supplying it are composed of the usual density of dermal-nerve networks and hair follicle networks
   • The learned and anticipated pleasurable sensations when a stimulus is presented in these regions produce the amplified sensation
   • The pleasurable sensation felt from these regions is simply an exaggerated form of tickle
2. Specific type
   • It is found the mucocutaneous regions of the body or those regions made both mucous membrane and of cutaneous skin
   • The regions favor acute perception
   • The specific sites of acute sensation are the genital regions

• The prepuce is retractable fold of skin covering the tip of the penis
• It is also a similar fold skin covering the tip of the clitoris
• The penis is a male erectile organ of copulation by which urine and semen are discharged from the body

Female Genitalia

• Mons pubis
• The clitoris – female sexual organ that is small, sensitive, and located in front of the vagina
• Labia majora – fleshly lips around the vagina
• Labia minora – aka the inner labia, inner lips, vaginal lips or nymphaea are two flaps of the skin on either side of the human vaginal opening in the vulva situated between the labia majora
• Vaginal introitus – opening that leads to the vaginal canal
• The hymen is a membrane that surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening
• Perianal Skin – refers to the area of the body surrounding the anus, and in particular, the skin. The perianal skin is very sensitive
• Lips – soft, movable and serve as the opening for food intake and in the articulation of sound speech. Human lips are designed to be perceived by touch, and can be erogenous zone when used in kissing and any other acts of intimacy
• Nipples are the raised region of tissue on the surface of the breast. A recent study found that the sensation from the nipples travels to the same part of the brain as sensations from the vagina, clitoris, cervix

4 Phases of the Human Sexual Response Cycle

Roles of the Brain in Sexual Activity

1. The brain is responsible for translating the nerve impulse sensed by the skin into pleasurable sensations
2. It controls the nerves & muscles used in sexual activities
3. Sexual thoughts and fantasies are theorized to lie in the cerebral cortex, the same area used for thinking and reasoning
4. Emotions and feelings are believed to originate in the limbic system
5. The brain releases the hormones considered as the physiological origin of sexual desire

Roles of Hormones in Sexual Activity

1. OXYTOCIN – aka. “love hormone” and believed to be involved in our desire to maintain close relationships. It is released during sexual intercourse when orgasm is achieved
2. FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) – it is responsible for ovulation in females
3. LUTENIZING HORMONE – crucial in regulating the testes in men and ovaries in women. In men, the LH stimulates the testes to produce testosterone. In males, testosterone appears to be a major contributing factor to sexual motivation
4. VASOPRESSIN – involved in the male arousal phase. The increase of vasopressin during erectile response is believed to be directly associated with increased motivation to engage in sexual behavior
5. ESTROGEN & PROGESTERONE – typically regulate motivation to engage in sexual behaviors for females, with estrogen increasing motivation and progesterone decreasing it

Understanding the Chemistry of Lust, Attraction & Attachment (Helen Fisher)

1. LUST – marked by physical attraction. It is driven by testosterone in men and estrogen in women. Lust, however, will not guarantee that the couple will fall in love in any lasting way
2. ATTRACTION – at this stage, you begin to crave for your partner’s presence. You feel excitement and energetic as you fantasize about things you could do together as couple. 3 chemicals trigger this feeling
   • Norepinephrine – responsible for the extra surge of energy and triggers increased heart rate, loss of appetite, as well as the desire to sleep. Your body is in more alert state and is ready for action
   • Dopamine – associated with motivation and goal-directed behavior. It makes you pursue your object of affection. It creates a sense of novelty, where the person seems exciting, special, or unique that you want to tell the world about his or her admirable qualities
   • Serotonin – thought to cause thinking. Low levels of serotonin said to be present in people with OCD behavior.
3. Attachment – involves the desire to have lasting commitment with your significant other. At this point, you may want to get married and/ have children

Psychological Aspect of Sexual Desire

• Sexual desire is typically viewed as an interest is sexual objects or activities
• Sexual desire is sometimes, but not always, accompanied by genital arousal (penile erection in men and lubrication in women).
• Sexual desire can be triggered by a large variety of cues and situations, including private thoughts, feelings, and fantasies, erotic materials (books, movies, photographs), and a variety of erotic environments, situations, or social interactions
• Sexual desire vs. sex drive: sex drive represents a basic, biologically mediated motivation to seek sexual activity or sexual gratification. In contrast, sexual desire represents a more complex psychological experience that is not dependent on hormonal factors
• However, developmental research suggested that the capacity to experience sexual desire though not hormone-dependent, are probably still facilitated by hormones
• Thus, physiological arousal is not necessary element of sexual desire and should not be considered a more valid marker of sexual desire than individual self-reported feelings

Gender Differences in Sexual Desire

• Factors that influence the notable gender difference on sexual desire include culture; social environment, and even political situations
• Alternatively, some researchers attributed that because of the different evolutionary pressure men and women face through time, early human females practiced selective mating with carefully chosen males to achieve maximum productive success, while no such pressure was evident on men

Physiological Mechanisms of Sexual Behavior Motivation

• Animal research suggests that limbic system structures, such as the amygdala and nucleusaccumbens, are especially important for sexual motivation
  1. AMYGDALA – the integrative center for emotions, emotional behavior, and motivation
  2. NUCLEUSACCUMBENS – plays a role in motivation and cognitive processing of aversion. It has a significant role in response to reward and reinforcing efforts, translating emotional stimulus into behaviors

Diversity of Sexual Behavior

• Food is important and so is sex
• From an evolutionary perspective, the reason is obvious – perpetuation of the species.
• Sexual behavior in humans, however, involves much more than merely reproduction

Sexual Orientation

• Individual’s general sexual disposition towards partners of the same sex, the opposite sex, or both.
• There has been much interest in sexual desire as an index of sexual orientation.
• These involves gay, lesbians, and bisexuals
• Contemporary scientific studies, however, found that same-sex desire and sexual orientation are more complicated than previously thought.
• Past studies that heterosexual individuals periodically experience sexual desires towards individuals who have the same sex.
• Although experience thought that individuals who are not straight were the only people to have ever experienced same-sex sexual desires.
• It was found though in these desires there were no clear evidence that heterosexual individuals stray into pursuing same-sex behaviors and or consider themselves as part of the lgbtq+

Gender Identity

• SEXUAL ORIENTATION – The person’s emotional and erotic attraction towards another individual.
• GENDER IDENTITY – Refers to one’s sense of being male or female. Generally, our gender identities correspond to our chromosomal & phenotypic sex, but this is not always the case

What is LGBTQ+ ?

• It is an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of:
  1. Gender Identities
  2. Sexual Orientations
  3. Romantic Orientations

What does LGBTQ+ Symbolize?

• L – LESBIAN: These are females who are exclusively attracted to women.
• G – GAY: This can refer to males who are exclusively attracted to any other males. It can also refer to anyone who is attracted to their same gender.
• B – BISEXUAL: This can refer to anyone who is sexually/romantically attracted to both men and women
• T – TRANSGENDER/TRANSEXUAL: It is an umbrella term for people who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth.
• Q – QUEER: It is a useful term for those who are questioning their identities and are unsure about using more specific terms, or those who simply do not wish to label themselves.
• + – PLUS: To signify that many identities are not explicitly represented by the letters. This includes (but is not limited to) intersex or people who are born with a mix of male and female bio-traits, and asexuals who are persons who does not desire sexual activities.

Sexual orientation & Gender identity issues

Physical Self and Sexuality

Stereotyping (Physical & Sexual)

• There’s a lot more to being male, female, or any gender than the sex assigned at birth. Your biological or assigned sex does not always tell your complete story
• SEX is a label – male or female – that you’re assigned by a doctor at birth based on the genitals you’re born with and the chromosomes you have. It goes on your birth certificate
• GENDER – “The relations between men and women, both perceptual and material. Gender is not determined biologically but rather constructed socially. It is a central organizing principle of societies, and often governs the process of production and reproduction, consumption and distribution” (FAO, 1997).
• According to UNCHR:
  1. Gender identity – one’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves
  2. Sexual Orientation – inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to some people

Gender Identity Issues

• SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS – influence the various issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity

• In the Philippines and most SEA neighbors view homosexuality as the norm.

• In New Guinea, young boys are expected to engage in sexual behavior with any other boys because they believe that it is part of the transformation of boys to men

• In the Philippines, an individual is classified as either male or female only

• Thailand recognizes male, female, and kathoey (transgender) categories

• FAMILY INFLUENCES – The children’s interests, preferences, behaviors, and overall self-concept are strongly influenced by parental and authority figure teachings regarding sexual stereotypes. Thus, children whose parents adhere to strict gender-stereotyped roles are, in general, more likely to take on those roles themselves as adults that are peers whose parents provided less stereotyped, more neutral models for behaving.

• URBAN SETTING – Another research discovered that homosexuality positively correlated with urbanization. The study surmised that large cities seem to provide a friendlier environment for same-gender interests. (Laumann, et al., 1994) than in rural places.

• These cities host venues or areas where people with specific sexual orientations socialize and become a support group

• The number of gays and lesbians residing in large cities may function protectively to generate resiliency among LGBTQ+ community in the face of stigmatization, discrimination, and harassment, thus, potentially resulting in positive consequences for their well-being

• In the rural areas on the other hand the LGBTQ+ face more challenges such as High level of intolerance, Limited social and institutional supports and high incidence of social isolation

History of Sexual Abuse

• Previous published studies claimed that abused adolescents, particularly those victimized by males, are more likely to become homosexuals or bisexual in adulthood. These studies were criticized for being non-clinical and un-reliable (Wilson and Wisdom, 2009).

STD

Sexually Transmitted Disease

Sexually Transmitted Disease

• It is also known as sexually transmitted infections (STI)
• It is a disease or infection acquired to sexual contact where the organisms that cause STD are passed on from person to person in blood, semen and vaginal or any other bodily fluids
• It can be transmitted non-sexually such as:
  • Mother to infant during pregnancy
  • Blood transfusion; and
  • People sharing needles for injection
• It is possible to contract sexually transmitted diseases from people who seem perfectly healthy, and who may not even be aware of the infection

Identified Sexual Risks Among Filipino Adolescents

• One in three has sexual experience, and they are also engage in sex at a younger age:
  • first sex for boys: 17.6 years old
  • first sex for girls: 18.1 years old.
• One in 50 had sex before age 15
• One in 4 had sex before 18 years old.
• 7 in 10 of first premarital sex cases are unprotected against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV-AIDS.
• Sex and Media have been identified as key influencers among adolescents engaging in high risk behaviors, as shown in studies in NCR and CALABARZON.
• 3 in 5 have watched X-rated movies and videos, the 4th highest in the country.
• 3 in 10 have sent or received sex videos through cell phones or internet, the 2nd highest in the country.
• 6 in 100 have engaged in phone sex, higher than the national average.

Diseases

PCOS

• Polycystic ovary syndrome happens when a woman's ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal. One result is that cysts (fluid-filled sacs) develop on the ovaries.
• Women who are obese are more likely to have PCOS. Women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
  • Symptoms may include:
    • Infertility.
    • Pelvic pain.
    • Excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes.
    • Baldness or thinning hair.
    • Acne, oily skin, or dandruff.
    • Patches of thickened dark brown or black skin.

The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012

• An act providing for national policy on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health
  • Citation: Republic Act. No. 10354
  • Enacted by: House of representatives of the Philippines
  • Date Enacted: December 19, 2012
  • Enacted by: Senate of the Philippines
  • Date enacted: December 19, 2012
  • Date signed: December 21, 2012
  • Signed by: Miriam Defensor Santiago
  • Date commenced: January 17, 2013
• The RH law is a law in the Philippines that guarantees access to contraceptive methods, such as fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care.
• Passage of the legislation was controversial and highly divisive
• After the bill was passed into law, the SC delayed its implementation in response to challenges.
• On April 8, 2014, the court ruled that the law was “not unconstitutional” but struck down eight provisions in full.

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies of RH Law

Specific Objectives

• Reduce by 3 quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio Reduce by 2/3 between 1990 and 2015, the under five mortality rate
• To have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse, the spread of HIV/AIDS

Regional Objectives

• Improve access to the full range of affordable, equitable, and high-quality family planning and RH services to increase contraceptive use rate & reduce unwanted pregnancies & abortions
• Making pregnancy safer
• Support countries & areas in developing evidence-based policies & strategies for the reduction of maternal & newborn mortality
• Improve access to the full range of affordable, equitable, and high-quality family planning & RH services to increase contraceptive use & reduce unwanted pregnancies
• Improve the health & nutrition status of women of all ages, especially pregnant & nursing women
• Gender, women & health; Integrate gender & rights considerations into health policy & programs, especially into RH & maternal health care Improve the health & Nutrition status of women of all ages

Methods of Contraception

• Long-acting reversible contraception, such as the implant or intra uterine device (IUD)
• Hormonal contraception, such as the birth control pill, and the birth control injection
• Barrier methods, such as condoms
• Fertility awareness
• Permanent contraception, such as vasectomy and tubal ligation

Benefits of Family Planning/Contraception According to the DOH

Benefits of Family Planning/Contraception According to WHO

• Prevent pregnancy-related health risk in women
• Reduce infant mortality
• Help prevent HIV/AIDS
• Empower people and enhance education
• Reduce adolescent pregnancies
• Slow population growth

Disadvantages of Family Planning/Contraception

1. Birth control health risks
   • Some allergies to spermicides or latex
   • For some women, oral contraceptives can lead to hair loss and weight gain, and the use of diaphragms can lead to UTI
2. Possibility of pregnancy
   • FP methods are not 100% reliable
   • Other than abstinence, there is no birth control method that is completely effective
   • Couples who are engaging is sexual activity should always consider the possibility of an unexpected pregnancy
3. Pregnancy after birth control
   • For some, it might take months for ovulation and the menstrual period to return to normal
   • How long the menstrual period takes to return to its normal cycle is entirely individual, and has nothing to do with how long the woman has been using birth control.
   • The most important thing to know about stopping your preferred method of birth control.
   • The most important thing to know about stopping your preferred method of birth control is that ovulation can return immediately

Natural Family Planning Method

• It is a method that uses the body’s natural physiological changes and symptoms to identify the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle.
• Once a month an egg is released from one of a woman’s ovaries (ovulation).
• Men can always produce sperm cells, and these can stay alive in