Chapter 7: Sexuality (by E.Y.)

1) Summary

Chapter 7 provides us with a very comprehensive collection of information about sex and sexual behavior in society. The chapter starts with definitions of sex, sexual identity, and sexual orientation that are influenced by biology and the society we live in. Sexual scripts determine our attitude toward sex and shapes our sexual behavior. In addition, there is still a double standard regarding sexual behavior of men and women, allowing/encouraging men to be sexually active even before marriage but discriminating sexually-liberal women or putting pressure on women to engage in sexual activities by relying on the sexual revolution. In addition, sexual assault crimes toward women are still seen as male misbehavior at times. Moreover, pharmaceutical industry is more involved in developing drugs for male potency but rarely there are any studies to understand female sexual problems. The most extreme case of double-standard is observed in the societies that practice female genitalia mutilation, a practice done to assure women will not benefit from sexual activities for the rest of their lives, thus will not have a motive to engage In premarital sex, although this practice may lead to a vast of medical problems down the road including death.

In the next section the author discusses the many reasons why we have sex, how informed various age groups are and where they receive that information from. The author discusses that majority of teenagers are misinformed about sex and its associated subjects. Majority of Americans engage in premarital sex typically starting sometime during their teenage years. Although teenagers might be sexually active, their parents don't necessarily know about it, nor discuss about safe sex or other topics with their children. Still, parental input may discourage or alter a teenager's sexual behaviors and seems to be one of the most valuable resources. More intriguingly however, many of these parents themselves are misinformed about sex and topics such as effectiveness of condoms in preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Besides parents, others can also influence our early sexual behaviors including peers, siblings, sex educators, religion, media and popular culture.

Next, the author discusses sexual behaviors starting with flirting and kissing, the latter of which shows a wide variability among cultures for its practice and acceptability. Next, she discusses autoeroticism which includes fantasies and masturbation. Then we learn about oral and anal forms of sex, and that even presidents may be misinformed about them! Last, the author provides information about sexual intercourse, which is not only heterosexual vaginal intercourse but also includes oral and anal sex. Then we learn about other myths about sex such as withdrawal as an efficient birth control method.

Sexual behavior differs throughout life. It starts with virginity and a period of abstaining before the first sexual experience. Abstinence can be practiced by adults as well for several reasons such as a divorce. Teenagers may be more prone for early sexual activity due to reasons such as home environment, neighborhood, low grades etc. Single adults seemingly have less satisfaction compared to married adults or adults in a committed relationship, since married couples tend to engage in more sexual acts and even if they don’t, the quality of sex seems to get better over time. Later in life, many middle-aged and older adults remain sexually active. And again, there are also double standards in sex in later life, a man may be seen as still desirable at an old age but for females attractiveness is associated with youth and good looks.

Another important topic we cover in this chapter is infidelity. Although some people would associate infidelity with having sexual intercourse with someone other than their partner, there are other types such as emotional and online infidelity. Similarly, most people overestimate the percentage of infidelity although the surveys indicate that over a lifetime only 16 % of partners cheat on their spouses. There are several macro- and micro-level reasons for infidelity but the outcome seems to be the same, greatly affecting most of these marriages and committed relationships.

Same-sex relationships are also accepted more widely in the western society. However, it is not accepted in many parts of the world and may result in punishments or death. The last subject covered in this chapter is STDs. For example, there are approximately 1 million Americans living with AIDS, majority of which seem to be gay and/or black men.

2. Interesting aspects

I didn’t know that teenagers as well as their parents are this much misinformed about sex-related topics.

I also found it interesting that some little girls promise their parents to remain virgins until marriage in formal purity ceremonies, whereas others are sexualized at the same age by allowing make-up or simply look at the little girls at the TV program "Toddlers and Tiaras", all within the same society.

3. Critique/comments

It was interesting to learn that infidelity rate is approximately 16 percent. On the other hand, given the information that infidelity is not limited to sexual intercourse outside the relationship but also includes cyber-experiences or emotional links to others, how were the survey questions regarding infidelity constructed? If it did not make it clear for the survey takers that these behaviors are counted as infidelity, then it is possible that people who reported their infidelity are only reporting their sexual relationship outside their marriage, especially if half the people don’t consider cybersex as infidelity (see table 7.3).

Also, the author states on page 168 that "If there is a strong genetic predisposition, gay children would come from gay households and straight children from straight households. This is not the case , however, because most gay men and lesbians are raised by heterosexuals." I think there are two logical fallacies associated with this statement. First, just because a parent tells and acts heterosexual does not prove their heterosexuality. It is very possible that the gay person's parent(s) are homo- or bi-sexuals that did not come out for various reasons. Second, on page 167 that "gay gene" is carried on x-chromosomes. Assuming a recessive pattern in this gene, it would be carried from mother to son and mother wouldn't necessarily be homosexual ( instead she'd be a carrier because the other gene on the second X-chromosome would compensate, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-linked_recessive_inheritance ). Moreover, it seems that the author did not take her own advice to be critical about the sources we receive our information, see the actual information about the non-existence of and X-linked gay gene here http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/genomics/2002/pierce/gaygene.htm .

Next, I briefly want to mention that the author is partially right about the size of hypothalamus. I say partially because it is not really the size of the entire hypothalamus but certain nuclei in it such as preoptic area (POA) as I wrote for my chapter 5 blog post. More info on the sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN ) in POA can be reached here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_dimorphic_nucleus

Ok, let’s leave the critique, here are my final comments and questions. I thought female genitalia mutilation section very disturbing. Especially the fact that these procedures may lead to many downstream health problems. Do you think, it is a just reason to try to change these societies mutilation practices either by researching for alternatives and educating them or forcing them to abandon it?

Eser Y