Sexuality
what is heterosexism?
a belief or argument that male-female sexuality is the only natural, normal, or moral code of sexual behavior
what is hedonism?
a belief that the ultimate value and motivation for action lie in pursuit of pleasure or avoidance or pain; may be viewed as sexual addiction
what is the Kinsey scale?
a heterosexual-homosexual rating scale that allows individuals to identify their sexual orientation on a continuum
what is absolutism?
a sexual value or belief system based on unconditional allegiance to the authority of religion, law, or tradition
what is heterosexism?
a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships
what is heterosexism?
as discrimination ranks gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and other sexual minorities as second-class citizens with regard to various legal and civil rights, economic opportunities, and social equality
what is coming out?
being open and honest about one's sexual orientation and identity
what is asceticism?
belief that giving in to carnal lust is wrong and that one must rise about the pursuit of sensual pleasure; it is to make a family, to have a baby; more of a functional value
what is heterosexism?
bias against non-heterosexual people
examples of a mixed-orientation relationship?
bisexual woman maintain a satisfactory relationship with the male partner
what are some trends in sexuality in relationships?
continued individualism will drive sexual relationships; numerous casual partners with predictable negative outcomes will characterize individuals in late adolescence
what is heterosexism?
denigration and stigmatization of any behavior, person, or relationship that is not heterosexual; it is based on the belief that heterosexuality is superior to homosexuality; results in prejudice and discrimination
what is sexual readiness in first intercourse?
determining when one is ready for first intercourse in reference to contraception, autonomy of decision, consensually, absence of regret
what are some sources of sexual values?
education, religion, family, technology, television, social movements, the internet, etc.
what is the sexual double standard?
encouraging women and accepting sexual expression of men more than women
what is homophobia?
fear of or antipathy towards homosexuals and homosexuality, and behavior based on these feelings
an example of a mixed-orientation relationship?
hay and bisexual men may be part of heterosexual relationships; some men are on the down low
what are the benefits of coming out?
higher levels of acceptance from their parents; lower levels of alcohol and drug consumption; fewer identity and adjustment problems
what is the definition of lesbian?
homosexual woman
definition of gay?
homosexual women or men
what is sexual orientation (identity)?
it is a classification of individuals based on their: emotional, cognitive, and sexual attractions; self-identity
how is heterosexism enforced?
it is encoded into and characteristic of the major social, cultural, and economic institutions of our society
what is sexual fulfillment?
knowledge about self; having a positive body image
under relativism, what is swinging (open) relationships?
married/pair-bonded individuals agreeing that they may have sexual encounters with others
what are sexual values?
moral guidelines for sexual behavior in relationships
homosexual and bisexual youth
more likely (4x) to report being threatened with weapon at school; 5x to fail to attend school; 3x to attempt suicide
what is down low?
nongay-identifying men who have sex with men and women meet their partners out of town or on the internet
definition of pansexual?
not limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity
what are mixed-orientation relationships?
one partner is heterosexual and the other partner is lesbian, gay, or bisexual
what are the risks of coming out?
parental and family members' reactions; harassment and discrimination at school or the workplace' hate crime victimization
under relativism, what is concurrent sexual partnerships?
partners have sex with several individuals concurrently
the sexuality in relationships in never-married individuals
report more sexual partners and less emotional satisfaction
what are the stages of reacting towards a partner's homosexuality?
schock, disbelief, and numbness; mourning for the partner/life that was; readjustment and moving on
what are the prerequisites of sexual fulfillment?
self-knowledge, body image, and health; committed loving relationship; equal relationship; open ducal communication and feedback; frequent initiation of sexual behavior
under relativism, what is friends with benefits relationship?
sexual relationship between nonromantic friends; types - true friends, network opportunism, just sex; transition out, successful, unintentional, and failed transitions
the sexuality in relationships in married individuals experience
social legitimacy; decline in frequency due to aging, pregnancy, and satiation (state in which a stimulus loses its value with repeated exposure); emotional and physical satisfaction
what is heteronormative?
system of beliefs that revolves around non-hetero individuals
what is bisexuality?
the emotional and sexual attraction to members of both sexes
where does heterosexism stem from?
the essentialist cultural notion that maleness-masculinity and femaleness-femininity are complementary
what are some trends in sexuality in relationships?
the goal of sexuality will transition to seeing a partner to settle down with; sexual values can be expected to transition from hedonism to relativism to absolutism
what is heterosexuality?
the predominance of emotional and sexual attraction to individuals of the other sex
what is homosexuality?
the predominance of emotional and sexual attraction to individuals of the same sex
what is relativism?
the sexual decisions are made in reference to the emotional, security, and commitment aspects of the relationship
what is heterocentric?
the world or society revolves around being heterosexual
definition of asexual?
without sexual feelings or attractions
