Sexuality

in Global
Perspective

In anthropology we
refer to:

sex as a biologically
determined category

In anthropology we
refer to:

gender as a culturally
constructed category

What Is Human
Sexuality?

Human sexuality refers to:

Our
experiences and our
expressions of ourselves as
sexual beings, which are
affected by our culture

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon

What Is Human
Sexuality?

Studying human sexuality:

Interdisciplinary
Anthropology:
cultural differences &
similarities
Biology: physiology of arousal & response
Psychology: formation of sexual behavior
& attitudes
Sociology: relations between sexuality and
demographic categories (race, religion, etc)

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon

Sex and Culture

Sexual relationships develop within

a social context that establishes:
What sexual relationships mean
How they are conducted
What social supports are given to
sexual relationships
Sexuality is socially defined and
patterned.

Social and Cultural

Basis of Sexuality
1.

2.
3.

Human sexual attitudes and

behavior vary in different
cultural contexts.
Sexual attitudes and behavior
change over time.
Sexual identity is learned.

Social and Cultural

Basis of Sexuality
4.
5.
6.

Social institutions channel and

direct human sexuality.
Sex is influenced by economic
forces in society.
Public policies regulate sexual
and reproductive behaviors.

CULTURAL REGULATIONS
OF SEXUALITY:

Some cultures encourage premarital sex

as an important preparation for marriage.
Others see chastity (i.e. no premarital sex
especially for women) as linked to
reputation and honor.
On certain occasions some cultures view
sexual activities as inappropriate, i.e.
during pregnancy.

CULTURAL REGULATIONS
OF SEXUALITY:

Many cultures retain a double

standard for sexual behavior with
women having greater restraints
than men; women are more likely to
be held responsible for controlling
sexual behavior.

The Influence of
Freud
According
to
Freud,

sexual
expression originates in childhood
and develops over the lifecycle.
Freud thought that sexual energy
was the force behind all human
endeavors, generating the tension
that leads artistic and intellectual
expression.

Havelock Ellis

Associated
lesbianism
with
insanity,
arguing
that
professional women emerging
during the 1920s and 1930s
were prone to this disease.
Ellis regarded anything but
heterosexual,
monogamous
sexuality as sexual deviance.

Sexual Practices of
Americans

Findings from the most recent survey on

sexual
practices
of
U.S.
public,
conducted in the early 1990s:
1. Young people are becoming sexually
active earlier.
2. The proportion of young people who
are sexually active has increased,
especially among young women.
3. Having only one sexual partner in
ones lifetime is rare.

Sexual Practices of
Americans
4.

5.

6.

A significant number of people

have extramarital affairs.
A significant number of people
are lesbian or gay.
For those who are sexually
active,
sex
is
relatively
frequent.

Theories of
Sexuality
Sexual identity
Functional Learned
through
ism
socialization
into
roles
Conflict
Enforced through the
Theory
power of dominant
groups
and
institutions

Theories of
Sexuality
Sexual norms
Functional Support
consensus
ism
in society
Conflict
Theory
Symbolic

Defined
powerful
society
Defined

by
most
groups in
through

Theories of
Sexuality
Sex and social institutions
Functional Sexual
norms
ism
contribute
to
stability of social
institutions
Conflict
Theory

Dominant sexual
orientations receive
more benefits

Sexual Politics

Sexual politics refers to the link between

sexuality and power.
Sociologists have shown that certain
institutional contexts are more prone to
sexual violence:
A highly masculine subculture
Exclusive in their membership
Organized in a hierarchical fashion around
norms of privacy, secrecy, and silence

Influence of Race, Class,

and Gender

Sexual behavior follows gendered

patterns
that
stem
from
definitions of masculinity and
femininity in the culture.
Because sex is associated with
power, sexual politics are tied to
race and class relations in society.

Homophobia

The
fear
and
hatred
of
homosexuality.
Produces myths about gay people
such as:
Gays have a desire to seduce
straight people.
Gay and lesbian parents will have
negative effects on their children.

A Global Perspective
on Sexuality

Sexuality is expressed differently

across cultural contexts.
Cross-cultural
studies
of
sexuality show that different
sexual norms develop differently
within cultural meaning systems.

Cross-cultural
Perspectives on Sexuality

Different societies have different rules.

Within societies, there is further variatio
within groups.
Major influences on attitudes & behaviors
Socioeconomic status
Education level
Religion
Ethnicity and/or nationality
Gender

International Sex
Trade

As the world has become globally connected,

an international sex trade has flourished.
Linked to economic development, poverty,
tourism, and the subordinate status of
women.
Children
may also be exploited as
prostitutes.
Sex capitals where prostitution openly
flourishes, such as Thailand, Amsterdam, and
other locales, are an integral part of the
world tourism industry.

The International
Sex Trade

Sex and Social Issues:

Birth Control

1965 - The Supreme Court,

Griswold v. Connecticut, defined
the use of birth control as a right,
not a crime for married people.
1972 - The Supreme Court
decision,
Eisenstadt
v.
Baird
extended the same right to
unmarried people.

Contraceptive Use
Worldwide

Attitudes Toward
Abortion

Sex and Social Issues:

Pornography

There is little social consensus about the

acceptability and effects of pornography.
Views on pornography include:
Those who think it is solidly protected
by the First Amendment
Those who want it strictly controlled
Those who think it should be totally
banned for moral reasons
Those who think it must be banned
because it harms women

Sex and Social Issues:

Teen Pregnancy

Each year about 1 million teenage girls

(ages 1519) have babies in the U.S.
The U.S. has the highest rate of teen
pregnancy among developed nations.
Though levels of teen sexual activity
around the world are comparable.
1 in 5 teen women who have sex
become pregnant in a given year.

Reasons for First

Sexual Intercourse

The Sexual Revolution

and Sexual Relations

The
sexual
revolution
refers
to
widespread changes in roles of men and
women and acceptance of sexuality as a
normal part of social development.
Technological changes, such as the
development of the pill, have created
new sexual freedoms.
Now, sexuality is being influenced by
the growth of cyberspace and its impact
on personal and sexual interactions.

Summary

Gender, gender roles, and issues of

human sexuality are of interest to
people everywhere.
Gender is the culturally assigned role
given to individuals identified as
male, female, or other.
Sex can refer to:
Anatomic sex of male or female
Anatomic structures
Behaviors
Feelings and desires
2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
rights reserved. are
Sexual orientation and Allsexuality

END