Human Sexuality - Research Paper Example

Human Sexuality Question 1: Lesbianism and bad male experiences The first question can be found on the following link: http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/bad-experiences-men-lesbian, and was about a female who is currently in a lesbian relationship. She had been bisexual but stopped having inter-sex relationships at some point; the reader now thinks that this may be due to her negative experiences with men. Alice responded by saying that sometimes labels may not work for all individuals owing to the unique experiences that every single person goes through. Furthermore, sexual preferences and tastes often change with time, which may all depend on whether one feels attracted to individuals or simply whether one has difficulties in having relationships with them. This question was particular interesting because it discusses the implications of past experiences in human sexuality through a real case. It is not just a question about an indecisive individual; the matter under consideration is quite complicated. Not only is this person trying to tackle whether she is attracted to men and women or women alone, but she is also trying to establish whether she could be suppressing some things. The reader’s question and response illustrates that sometimes a person’s sexual preferences may be a reflection of a psychological issue in the past. This may trickle into the person’s life, and prevent them from positively interacting with members of that gender even as friends. It also proves that it is immensely difficult to fully define sexuality since it is something that occurs across a continuum (Hough 375). Sometimes labels can be useful in communing with similar m, but it does little for individuals who are simply trying to understand themselves. Evidence shows that homosexuality or bisexuality is not exclusively a biological, psychological or sociological issue. It is created by multiple factors which may combine randomly without any control from the concerned subject. It is not possible to predict the nature of sexuality that a person will adopt, so oversimplification should be avoided in understanding attraction for same sex individuals (Hogan and Lee 112). Question 2: Bisexual turns straight The question was from http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/bisexual-straight-black-hole and highlights the struggles of a young male who was once bisexual but has now decided to become exclusively straight. He has just realized that he seems to be unhappy about the situation as he lacks the open-mindedness and exuberance of his past. Furthermore, he calls his bisexual behavior bad, and would rather remain in his ‘black hole’ than go through life as a man attracted to members of the same sex. Black hole’s question was particularly interesting because it addresses some elements of homophobia, and why certain members of society may deny their sexuality or change it in conformance to social pressure. Since the person was experiencing some psychological effects of the sexual change, it is imperative to determine whether these exist because of denying one’s own habits. The question pointed out the fact that sexuality is just that and should neither be classified as right or wrong (Alice 3). Furthermore, it is possible for one to retain other positive values in society irrespective of the adoption of a marginal or unconventional sexual orientation. It is also critical to make peace with oneself and one’s sexuality prior to entry into another relationship. Whenever a person feels depressed or negative about their sexuality, they ought to consider the fact that some issues may be unresolved. Other readings indicate that people’s sexuality is a combination of their biology, their culture and their own conceptions of the same. Therefore, if a person is religious, then they may face additional pressure to conform to a certain type of orientation (Lefkowitz et al 159). However, other cultural messages may also come in the way, such as mass media or peer influence. For this reason, it is critical to consider what one truly feels as others’ expectations may lead to unhappiness. The key solution to the latter person’s issues is to find what sexuality they truly feel comfortable in, before thinking about telling others. Question 3: Questioning the notion of sexuality itself The third question is about an individual who feels that he does not fit into any of the normal categories, so he was wondering what to call himself; the description is available at http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/bi-gay-pan-sexual-what-do-i-call-myself. This person also detests labels as they rarely reflect his innermost sentiments; instead, he prefers to be called a pansexual since this is an individual who can be attracted to a person of any gender. It was crucial to look into the fluidity of sexuality, so this question was a perfect match for that goal. The person in the article sought to find his identity because he felt that conventional terms like bisexuality simply did not represent his values accurately. Additionally, the response also addresses why human beings have a need to find labels for their behavior. This matter is quite critical today because it tackles the need to be all-inclusive of different sexual orientations even within the same individual. The issue showed that labels are sometimes insufficient to describe an individual’s preferences as one may have preferences that are not gay, straight, lesbian, nor bisexual (Levine 80). However, in order to give a proper response when others ask about another’s sexual orientation, it is best to simply explain what one’s preference is. Furthermore, some terms like pansexual, have different meanings in different contexts, so it is necessary for an individual to understand the meaning behind then before using them. Several texts also prove that sexuality matters occur across a continuum, and it is possible for different gender and sexual considerations to coalesce within the individual. Question 4: Bisexual wants to confess to girlfriend The fourth question can be found at http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/come-out-girlfriend-about-boycrush; it discusses a bisexual’s need to tell his girlfriend about his sexual orientation. He had not told his parents or his current girlfriend about his preferences; the target of his crush was the only one who knew about it. The reader was paranoid about the issue because he worried about his parents’ response, and probably thought that his girlfriend would think he went bisexual to please her. This question is interesting because it highlights some of the issues that prevent people from really expressing who they are. It places the notion of ‘staying in the closet” in context, and also unravels how people can be affected by a person’s decision to stay silent. A person may get ideas on how to conduct discussions with others on their relationship status as Alice cleverly articulates these approaches. Some myths revolving around bisexuality have been delineated thanks to the article; it is now clear that a person cannot make another go gay or bisexual. However, they may assist another individual in realizing that they are attracted to members of the same sex. As such, the notion of curing gay people or causing them to turn from one orientation to another is based on false premises; all sexual orientations are healthy. However, prior to disclosure about an unknown sexuality, a person ought to consider creation of certain boundaries; monogamy may prevent individuals from expressing their attraction to other individuals if they belong to the same relationship (Levine 19). Authoritative texts on the subject indicate that attempts to alter a person’s orientation are deeply damaging to individuals. They can cause them to further suppress their true selves and even be severely damaged psychologically (The House of Bishops 77). It is better for the individual to have confidence in themselves through this outcome. Question 5: Parents find child’s pornography The question is available at http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/parents-find-porn-boys-room, and discusses exposure of teenagers to pornography. The parent is worried that her teenage son will develop an unhealthy attitude towards females. She believes that it is healthy for adolescents to explore their sexuality, but using pornography to do it may be a problem for her. Matters of this nature are quite relevant to learners of human sexuality because all humans go through the phase; it addresses the critical role that parents play in children’s sexual lives. Issues surrounding gender stereotypes, objectification of women, sexual development are all covered in a case like this. Additionally, because people generally start having sexual urges at this age, it is crucial to know the nature of habits that are permissible and how parents ought to respond to them. The responses from Alice demonstrate the importance of putting up a united front whenever parents talk to their children. Clear communication about one’s values is paramount in shaping the way one’s children handle themselves sexually. The responses indicate some of the key objections to pornography, and these include the objectification of women. The article also indicates that pornography may create unrealistic expectations about sex in general and women in particular. Parents can thus intervene in these situations by creating an open environment for the discussion of sex. They should seize opportunities in the media containing sexual images to discuss the issue with their children. This allows children not to buy into strategies that marketers use to sell their products, and instead look at thinks as they really are. The article also illustrates the fact that parents can lay the foundation for making their children sexually healthy. A study carried out in 1987 to analyze the effects of pornography revealed that the images individuals are exposed to have an adverse effect on how they treat sexual partners. One group watched mildly erotic pornography; another one watched highly explicit ones while another watched extremely violent ones. The group that had watched the violent ones was more willing than the other groups to deliver shocks to female subjects even though no real shocks were administered. The study was not repeated by others, but proves that pornographic images have a powerful effect on people’s sexuality. It is for this reason that parents must concern themselves with the nature of material their children are watching (Hutcherson 63). They need to become the primary source of information about sexuality as they are more likely, than the pornography, to talk about it in a truthful manner. Question 6: Gay man feels stuck in a female’s body The next question is about a woman in her mid twenties who has always identified herself with the male gender sexually; this can be found at http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/gay-male-straight-females-body. She, however, does not fantasize about a typical masculine role; she would prefer if her partner has anal sex with her and even enjoys watching other men having homosexual intercourse. However, she is confused about her sexual identity as she wonders which partner would be ideal for her, or the nature of sexual experiences they can have. This question was highly interesting because it addresses both gender and sexual identity challenges within the same individual. The subject appears to like men, but is unsatisfied by conventional ways of having intercourse; as a result, she seeks to understand her contentment with her gender as well as her sexuality. Eventually, the question will demonstrate how individuals can deal with matters of sexual oppression as there is a likelihood of this happening. The response indicates that it possible for one to be content with their gender at birth but have issues with their sexuality. For instance, if a person feels that their personality corresponds with their biological markers, then their gender identity may not be an issue (Pinker 94). However, if the person feels like a woman, but feels like man during sex, then this may simply be a sexual issue. If gender identity transcends the bedroom, then a person may have to consider themselves as transgender especially when they feel that their biologically-assigned genders do not define them well. The article illustrated the usefulness of understanding gender in terms of three markers; that is physical markers, cultural settings and finally personally identity. Its author was useful in illuminating the most important determinant of identity; that is personal identities. The texts encourage individuals to make choices based on solid evidence; a person should not merely decide that any cross-dresser is homosexual; in fact transgender individuals are different from transsexuals. Unless a person is intensely disturbed by one’s gender to the point of seeking redress, then sexual role-plays or preferences in the bedroom have little to do with their gender (Bruess & Greenberg 24). Furthermore, a person can be bisexual or gay and still maintain conventional gender roles; they can act aggressively if they are men, play sports and accept all other cultural determinants of gender. Works Cited Alice. Go ask Alice. 2013. Web. 4 May 2014 http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/parents-find-porn-boys-room Bruess, Clint & Jerrold Greenberg. Sexuality education: Theory and practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett, 2004. Print. Hogan, Kevin and Mary Lee. Irresistible attraction. NY: Network, 2000. Print. Hough, Sigmund. Simon Levay and Janic Baldwin: Human sexuality. Sexuality and disability, 30.3(2012), 375. Print. Hutcherson, Hilda. What your mother never told you about sex. NY; Penguin Putnam. 2002. Print. Lefkowitz, Eva, T. Boone and C. Shearer. Religiosity, sexual behaviors and sexual attitudes during emerging adulthood. Journal of Sex Research, 41.2(2004), 150-159. Print. Levine, Judith. Promoting pleasure: What’s the problem? SIECUS Report, 30.4(2002), 19-22. Print. Levine, Judith. The perils of protecting children from sex. Minneapolis: UMP. 2005. Print. Pinker, Steven. The blank slate: The modern denial of human nature. London: Penguin books. 2003. Print. The House of Bishops. Working group in human sexuality. London: Church House Publishing, 2013. Print. Read More