Sociology 152B Article & Chapter Summaries
First-stage Labor
The beginning of the labor, during which there are regular contractions of the uterus; the stage lasts until the cervix is dilated 8 centimeters (3 inches).
Heteronormativity
The belief that heterosexuality is the only pattern that is normal and natural.
Menopause
The cessation of menstruation.
Familismo
Among Latinos, a strong cultural valuing of one's nuclear and extended family.
Transition
The difficult part of labor at the end of the first stage, during which the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters (3 inches).
Booty Call
A communication to a person who is a not a relationship partner, conveying an urgent request for sexual activity, perhaps including sexual intercourse.
Bulimia Nervosa
A condition in which the individual periodically binges and purges, with an obsessive fear of becoming fat.
Anorexia Nervosa
A condition in which the individual severely limits caloric intake.
Muscle Dysmorphia
A disorder whereby a bodybuilder in top shape considers himself or herself to be puny.
Zygote
A fertilized egg.
Swinging
A form of extramarital sex in which married couples exchange partners with others.
Gender-Segregated Social Organization
A form of social grouping in which males play and associate with other males, and females play and associate with other females; that is, the genders are separate from each other.
Lamaze method
A method of "prepared" childbirth involving relaxation and controlled breathing.
Cesarean section (C-section)
A method of delivering a baby surgically by an incision in the abdomen.
Ectopic pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
A procedure in which an egg is fertilized by sperm in a laboratory dish.
Embryo Transfer
A procedure in which an embryo is transferred from the uterus of one woman into the uterus of another.
Artificial Insemination
A procedure in which sperm are placed into the vagina by means other than sexual intercourse.
Amniocentesis
A test done to determine whether a fetus has birth detects; done by inserting a fine tube into the woman's abdomen in order to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
A hormone secreted by the placenta; it is the hormone detected in pregnancy tests.
Gigolo
A male who provides companionship and sexual gratification on a continuing basis to a woman in exchange for money.
Sexual Behavior
Behavior that produces arousal and increases the chance of orgasm.
Friends With Benefits
A situation in which two people who are friends (not romantic partners) occasionally have sex with each other.
Sexualization
A process in which a person is valued only for sex appeal or behavior; is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness with being sexy; is sexually objectified; or sexuality is inappropriately imposed on the person.
Braxton-Hicks contractions
Contractions of the uterus during pregnancy that are not part of labor.
Lifespan Development
Development from birth through old age.
Edema
Excessive fluid retention and swelling.
Tummy Tuck
Extensive surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen.
Attachment
A psychological bond that forms between an infant and the mother, the father, or other caregiver.
Culture
Traditional ideas and values passed down from generation to generation within a group and transmitted to members of the group by symbols such as language.
Incest Taboo
A regulation prohibiting sexual interaction between blood relatives, such as brother and sister or father and daughter.
Stillbirth
Delivery of a dead fetus, especially after the 28th week of gestation.
Latinos
People of Latin American heritage.
Cosmetic Surgery
Surgery done for the sole purpose of improving the appearance.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters.
Cyberaffair
A romantic or sexual relationship initiated by online contact and maintained primarily via online communication, involving a person who is married/in a committed relationship.
Preeclampsia
A serious disease of pregnancy, marked by high blood pressure, severe edema, and proteinuria.
Hooking Up
A sexual encounter that involves people who are strangers or brief acquaintances, without an expectation of forming a committed relationship; the behavior itself may range from making out to oral sex or intercourse.
Sexual Health
A state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality.
Teratogen
A substance that produces defects in a fetus.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
A technique for prenatal diagnosis of birth defects, involving taking a sample of cells from the chorionic villus and analyzing them.
Liposuction
A technique for removing adipose tissue with a suction pump device.
Body Image Chapter Summary
-Body image refers to the mental image we have of our own physical appearance. It is influenced by many factors, and in turn, influences our attitudes and behaviors. -The media play a major role in influencing people's body images. Many media images are unattainable in real life. -People from different cultures may view body image very differently. -We can do a lot to build a better body image by not apologizing for all our blemishes; not basing our body image on what we see in the media; dressing and acting in ways that make us feel more attractive; and paying attention to our body language. -Diet and exercise can play major roles related to body image. -Some people are so concerned about their body image that they develop eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. -Using steroids in an attempt to develop one's body is a very dangerous thing to do. Steroids cause many serious health problems. -Cosmetic surgery has become much more popular today than it was just 10 to 12 years ago. The most common procedures include liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, tummy tuck, and nose reshaping.
Equity Theory
A theory that states that people mentally calculate the benefits and costs for them in a relationship; their behavior is then affected by whether they feel there is equity or inequity, and they will act to restore equity if there is inequity.
Effacement
A thinning out of the cervix during labor.
Colostrum
A watery substance that is secreted from the breasts at the end of pregnancy and during the first few days after delivery.
Primipara
A woman having her first baby.
Infertility
A woman's inability to conceive and give birth to a living child, or a man's inability to impregnate a woman.
Article 13: Pubic Hair Removal among Women in the United States
Although women's total pubic hair removal has been described as a "new norm," findings from this study suggests that pubic hair styles are diverse and that it is more common than not for women to have at least some pubic hair on their genitals. In addition, it was found that total pubic hair removal was associated with younger age, being partnered (rather than single or married), having looked closely at one's own genitals in the previous month, cunnilingus in the past month, more positive sexual functioning scores, and a more positive genital self-image.
Hyaluronidase
An enzyme secreted by the sperm that allows one sperm to penetrate the egg.
Episiotomy
An incision made in the skin just behind the vagina, allowing the baby to be delivered more easily.
Dilation
An opening up of the cervix during labor; also called dilation.
Placenta
An organ formed on the wall of the uterus through which the fetus receives oxygen and nutrients and gets rid of waste products.
Article 27: Where Is Marriage Going?
Anthony Layng states that marriage used to not be as sacred as it is now, even with the divorce rate at an epidemic rate. Discussed how same sex marriage is viewed to be detrimental to childrearing when marriage's purpose is viewed to be oriented toward the socialization of children. Talked about ancient tribes oftentimes married for prestige and social status rather than romance, religion, or childrearing. Talks about how marriage is not as exalted as it used to be, and that attitudes toward marriage change as technological and cultural dynamics fluctuate.
Article 12: Religiosity and Teen Birth Rate in the United States
At the level of states in the United States, conservative religious beliefs predict teen birth rates highly and significantly; the correlation remains high and significant after controlling for income and estimated rates of abortion. The findings themselves of course, do not permit causal inferences. There could be unstudied confounding variables that account for the correlations that were reported, but many speculate on the most probable explanation, and conjecture that conservative religious communities in the U.S. are more successful in discouraging use of contraception among their teen community members than in discouraging sexual intercourse itself.
Sexual Rights
Basic, inalienable rights regarding sexuality, both positive and negative, such as rights to reproductive self-determination and sexual self-expression and freedom from sexual abuse and violence.
Colorado's Effort Against Teenage Pregnancies Is A Startling Success - Sabrina Tavernise
Colorado offered free intrauterine devices and implants that prevent pregnancy for years. Women chose them: birthrate plunged by 40 percent from 2009 to 2013, abortion rate fell by 42 percent. Unmarried women under 25 also had declining birth rates. More young women are making a choice when given the option of free contraception... in 2009 half of all first births to women in the poorest areas of the state happened before they turned 21, and by 2014, half of all first births did not occur until the women turned 24 -- a difference that encourages young women to finish their education and seek employment.
Article 1: Breastfeeding Is Not Obscene
Compares the Western culture of permitting female nudeness when it is aimed toward the sexual pleasure and gratification of men but abhorrence toward female nakedness when its purpose is for something natural like breastfeeding a child. Discusses how it is wildly different in African culture in which women are expected to dress more conservatively, and their nakedness is not necessary for male arousal, and oftentimes encourages women to breastfeed their children in public due to the fact that it is viewed to be a motherly responsibility, says we should view the African culture and view toward the female breast as a role model for all cultures.
Chapter 9: Sexuality and the Life Cycle: Childhood and Adolescence
DATA SOURCES -Data on sexuality in childhood are often based on surveys of adults, asking them to recall their childhood behavior. In addition, parents are sometimes asked about their children's sexual behavior. Much more data are available on adolescents' sexual behavior based on direct information from adolescents. INFANCY AND THE PRESCHOOL YEARS (Birth to 4 Years) -A capacity for physical sexual response is present from infancy. Attachment processes are important in infancy and may have an impact on the person's capacity for adult romantic relationships. U.S. parents of 2- to 5-year-olds report that about 17 percent of boys and girls masturbate with their hands. Children also engage in some heterosexual play, with games of doctor. Preschoolers re interested in learning about sexuality, although they often have misunderstandings. CHILDHOOD (5 to 11 Years) -Adrenarche causes increased levels of androgens and occurs around 8 to 10 years of age. More children begin to masturbate in this age range. Children have gender-segregated social organization, so their sex play tends to occur with same-gender peers. Children also quickly learn heteronormativity. Many experts are concerned about the sexualization of children. ADOLESCENCE (12 to 18 Years) -A tension exists between thinking about adolescent sexuality as a normative, growth-producing part of development and thinking that much of adolescent sexuality is risky. According to one theory, the increase in sexual activity in adolescence is influenced by the interaction of biological factors (increasing testosterone levels) and social and psychological factors (e.g., sexually permissive attitudes). By age 15, most boys have masturbated, but girls tend to begin masturbating somewhat later than boys and fewer of them do masturbate. The research evidence indicates that the media have an impact on adolescent sexuality. Some girls and boys engage in same-gender sexual behavior in adolescence, and about 43 percent of high school students have engaged in heterosexual intercourse. Heterosexual sex that occurs too early (Age 15 or before) is more likely to be risky sex and is a cause for concern. Social networking, through sites such as Facebook, is a popular way for adolescents to communicate. Sexting is not as common as media reports suggest, but it can be serious for those involved. THE COLLEGE YEARS -Patterns of heterosexual behavior for college students can be quite varied. Casual sex, involving hookups and friends with benefits, is one pattern. Other students engage in same-gender sexual behavior or bisexual behavior. HOW SEXUALITY AIDS IN DEVELOPMENT -Following Erikson's theory, experiences with sexuality can serve important functions in a person's psychological development. This may be important, for example, in the process of developing an identity and in developing a capacity for intimacy.
2nd Doctor, Wife Charged In Female Genital Mutilation Case - Detroit Free Press
Dr. Attar and his wife allowed Dr. Nagarwala to use their clinic to perform genital mutilation on two Minnesota girls. Used a tool to scrape a membrane out of the genitals for a religious genital cutting ritual requested by the girls' families. Never billed or documented the procedure -- all were arrested for their crimes.
Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)
Eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating but not by inappropriate weight-control behaviors.
Pseudocyesis
False pregnancy, in which the woman displays the signs of pregnancy but is not pregnant.
Adrenarche
In childhood, the maturation of the adrenal glands, resulting in increased secretion of androgens.
Agenda Setting
In communications theory, the idea that the media define what is important and what is not by which stories they cover.
Social Learning
In communications theory, the idea that the media provide role models whom we initiate.
Cultivation
In communications theory, the view that exposure to the mass media makes people think what they see there represents the mainstream of what really occurs.
Article 26: Making Relationships Work - A Conversation with a Psychologist
John M. Gottman is a researcher who has interviewed over 3,000 couples over the timespan of 35 years, and has gained enough insight on the phenomenon through scientific research and data analysis to predict the success of a couple with 90% accuracy just by watching an interaction with them. He states that relationships are most successful when there are small moments of intimacy and attachment. He discovered that kindness increases between couples over time. Relationships are not supposed to be completely free from conflict, but good couples use conflict to rise above the situation and bad couples see it as a barrier to improving their connections. Interacting on a friendly level with coworkers in the work environment is important. Not keeping secrets from your partner is also crucial. He found the paper tower building experiment was very accurate in exposing the quality of communication between a couple.
Article 5: Evulvalution: The Portrayal of Women's External Genitalia and Physique across Time and the Current Barbie Doll Ideals
Media images of the female body commonly represent reigning appearance ideals of the era in which they are published. To date, limited documentation of the genital appearance ideals in mainstream media exists. Analysis 1 sought to describe genital appearance ideals (i.e. mons pubis and labia majora, visibility, labia minora size and color, and pubic hair style) and general physique ideals (i.e., hip, waist, and bust size, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) across time based on 647 Playboy Magazine centerfolds published between 1963 and 2002. Analysis 2 focused exclusively on the genital appearance ideals embodied by models in 185 Playboy photographs published between 2007 and 2008. Taken together, results suggest the perpetuation of a "Barbie Doll" ideal characterized by low BMI, narrow hips, a prominent butt, and hairless, undefined genitalia resembled those of a prepubescent female.
Postpartum depression
Mild to moderate depression in women following the birth of a baby.
Dating - The Friendship Trap. Are our social lives sabotaging our love lives? - Charlotte Alter
Popular culture likes to signal that friendship lasts longer than romantic relationships. There is a modern trend of friendships interfering with romantic relationships. A growing number of young people desiring for their platonic relationships to become romantic ones. 57% of 18 to 24 year olds could not tell whether they were on a date, or just hanging out.
Chapter 10: Sexuality and the Life Cycle: Adulthood
SUMMARY -Sexuality continues to develop throughout the life span. It may be expressed in singlehood, cohabitation, marriage, nonmonogamous relationships, relationships following divorce, or in a variety of contexts as the individual ages. SEX AND THE SINGLE PERSON -Young adults grow toward sexual maturity. Many do so in the context of a single relationship that results in marriage. Others are involved in two or more relationships before they begin to live with or marry someone. Never-married people over 25 may find themselves part of the "singles scene". Blacks are more likely to remain single than whites. COHABITATION -Cohabitation is a stage that up to 40 percent of people experience. The time couples spend living together varies from a few months to several years. Sixty percent of cohabiting couples marry. Some cohabiting couples have children, either together or with previous partners. Men and women who are living together engage in sexual activity more often, on average, than those who are married or dating. MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -Marriage represents a major turning point as couples face new responsibilities and problems, and try to find time for each other. Married couples in their twenties engage in sexual intercourse two or three times per week on average, with the frequency declining to two to three times a month among couples over 60. Perhaps the most dramatic change in marital sex practices in recent decades is the increased popularity of oral-genital sex. Many people continue to masturbate even though they are married. Most people today -- both women and men -- express general satisfaction with their marital sex life. Sexual patterns in marriage, however, show great variability. NONMONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIPS -About 25 percent of all married men and 15 percent of all married women engage in extra-relationship sex at some time. Extramarital sex is disapproved of in our society and is generally carried on in secrecy. In a few cases, it is agreed that both partners can have extra-relationship sex, as in negotiated nonmonogamy, swinging, and polyamory. Equity theory and the sociobiological perspective may be helpful in understanding patterns of extramarital sex. POST-RELATIONSHIP SEX -Virtually all widowed and divorced men return to an active sex life, as do most divorced women and about half of widowed women. SEX IN LATER LIFE -While sexual activity declines somewhat with age, it is perfectly possible to remain sexually active into one's eighties or nineties. Problems with sex or the cessation of intercourse may be related to physical factors. In women, declining estrogen levels result in a thinner, less elastic vagina and less lubrication; in men, there is lowered testosterone production and increased vascular disease, combined with slower erections and longer refractory periods. Psychological factors can also be involved, such as the belief that the elderly cannot or should not have sex. Masters and Johnson emphasized that two factors are critical to maintaining sexual capacity in old age: good physical and mental health, and regularity of sexual expression. The AARP survey indicates that all sexual behaviors, including heterosexual intercourse and masturbation continues past age 70.
Chapter 16: Sex for Sale
SUMMARY Commercial sex is a major industry in the United States and increasingly around the world. Two prominent aspects of it are prostitution and pornography. Prostitution Commercial sex workers engage in partnered sexual activity in return for payment such as money, gifts, or drugs. There are several venues in which they work in the United States, including their own homes, in-call services, out-call services, and massage parlors. he working conditions, risks, and income of a sex worker depend on the setting. Third parties who may be involved include a pimp, a madam, or manager; the involvement of these people generally limits a worker's autonomy. Sex trafficking involves exploitation and is a major problem. Research suggests that a sex worker's well-being depends on the risk level of the setting in which she works, the reasons she entered sex work, and whether she experienced victimization as a child or adolescent. Data indicate that the use of prostitutes has declined substantially in the United States in the past 50 years. About one-half of the clients of female workers are occasional johns; the other 50 percent are repeat clients. Some men rely on sex workers for their sexual outlet. Some male sex workers serve a female clientele. They may work as escorts, employees of massage parlors, or gigolos. Hustlers cater to a male homosexual clientele. Pornography Distinctions are made among pornography (sexually arousing art, literature, or film), obscenity (material offensive to authorities or society), and erotica (sexual material that shows men and women in equal, humane relationships). Computer porn has mushroomed in the past 20 years; people can discuss explicit sexual activity online, reading sexually arousing stories, download sexually explicit images, or purchase a variety of goods and services at adult Web sites. Pornographic magazines, films, and videocasettes, both softcore (erotica) and hardcore, are a multibillion-dollar business. Children are the star victims in kiddie porn. Some feminists object to pornography on the grounds that it debases women, encourages violence against women, and portrays unequal relationships between men and women. Social-psychological research indicates that exposure to portrayals that viewer finds acceptable is arousing to both me and women. Massive exposure leads to more favorable attitudes toward the behavior observed. Some studies find that exposure to violent pornography creates more tolerant attitudes toward violence against women, but others find no such effect. Exposure to portrayals of consenting heterosexual activity leads to an increase in sexual thoughts and behavior. Exposure to portrayals of sexual or nonsexual violence toward women increases men's aggression toward women. Education about the effects of pornography is probably the best solution to the problems created by pornography.
Chapter 6: Conception, Pregnancy, and Childbirth
SUMMARY Conception Sperm are manufactured in the testes and ejaculated through the vas deferens and urethra into the vagina. Then they begin their swim through the cervix and uterus and up a fallopian tube to meet the egg, which has already been released from the ovary. When the sperm and egg unite in the fallopian tube, conception occurs. The single fertilized egg cell then begins dividing as it travels down the tube, and finally it implants in the uterus. Various techniques for improving the chances of conception are available. Development of the Conceptus The placenta, which is important in transmitting substances between the woman and the fetus, develops early in pregnancy. The most remarkable development of the fetus occurs during the first trimester (first three months), when most of the major organ systems are formed and human features develop. Pregnancy For the woman, early signs of pregnancy include amenorrhea, tenderness of the breasts, and nausea. The most common pregnancy tests are designed to detect hCG in the urine or blood. Physical changes during the first trimester are mainly the result of the increasing levels of estrogen and progesterone produced by the placenta. Despite cultural myths about the radiant contentment of the pregnant woman, some women do have negative feelings during the first trimester. During the second trimester the woman generally feels better, both physically and psychologically. Despite people's concerns, sexual intercourse is generally quite safe during pregnancy. Nutrition is exceptionally important during pregnancy because the woman's body has to supply the materials to create another human being. Pregnant women must also be very careful about ingesting drugs because some can penetrate the placental barrier and enter the fetus, possibly causing damage. Birth Labor is typically divided into three stages. During the first stage, the cervix undergoes effacement (thinning) and dilation. During the second stage, the baby moves out through the vagina. The placenta is delivered during the third stage. The placenta is delivered during the third stage. Cesarean section is a surgical method of delivering the baby. Prepared childbirth has become very popular; it emphasizes the use of relaxation of and controlled breathing to control contractions and minimize the woman's discomfort. Anesthetic may not be necessary, which seems desirable, since they are potentially desirable. After the Baby is Born: The Postpartum Period During the postpartum period, hormone levels are very low. Postpartum depression may arise from a combination of this hormonal state and the many environmental stresses on the woman at this time. Breast-Feeding Two hormones are involved in lactation: prolactin and oxytocin. Breast-feeding has a number of psychological as well as health advantages. Problem Pregnancies Problems of pregnancy include ectopic (misplaced) pregnancy, pseudocyesis (false pregnancy), preeclampsia and eclampsia, illness (such as German measles), a defective conceptus, Rh incompatibility, spontaneous abortion, and preterm birth. Infertility The most common cause of infertility in men and women is sexually transmitted infections. Assisted Reproductive Technologies Assisted reproductive technologies include artificial insemination, frozen sperm banks, embryo transplants, in vitro fertilization (test-tube babies) and GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer), all of which are now a reality. These procedures are expensive and have low success rates. In addition, the practice of transferring multiple embryos often results in multiple births, which are riskier for both mother and infants. On the horizon is widespread use or NIPD to determine fetal genotype. If the technique is used to determine whether a fetus should be aborted, it will create a host of social and ethical debates.
Masturbation
Self-stimulation of the genitals to produce sexual arousal.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Serious growth deficiency and malformations in the child of a mother who abuses alcohol during pregnancy.
Extramarital Sex
Sexual activity between a married person and someone other than that person's spouse, adultery.
Pornography
Sexually arousing art, literature, or films.
Erotica
Sexually arousing material that is not degrading or demeaning to women, men, and children.
'There isn't really anything magical about it': Why millennials are avoiding sex - Tara Bahrampour
Study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior finds that younger millennials born in the 1990s are more than twice as likely to be sexually inactive in their early 20s as the previous generation was. Millennials have fewer sexual partners than baby boomers and Generation X. Far more picky about the definition of sex, far less accepting of pressured sex. Other experts concerned that dropoff may mean that people are having difficulty with forming deep/romantic connections than before. Millennials are a highly motivated, ambitious generation, think sex will interfere with future. 15 percent of 20-24 year olds have not had sex since turning 18, up from 6 percent in the early 1990s. Trend likely to continue -- percent of sexually active high schoolers decreasing: 54% to 41%, multiple partner sexual encounters also declining, from 19% to 12%. Mid-1990s cohort = First generation to grow up with cell phones, more online than offline communication. College students feel so busy that they oftentimes do not have enough time to find a romantic relationship. Millennials are also a cautious generation: Helmets, seatbelts, and the fear of developing feelings. Some experts think millennials are missing out, others think that they are building themselves up for better first marriages.Millennials, cohort born in the 1990s, significantly more likely to have no sexual partners as adults compared to Generation X'ers born in the 1960s. Millennials and iGen'ers are more likely to eschew marriages, stable careers, and living independently in their early 20s, and forgoing sex during early adulthood.
Chapter 1: Sexuality in Perspective
Summary SEX AND GENDER Sexual behavior is activity that produces arousal and increases the chance of orgasm. Sex (sexual behavior and anatomy) is distinct from gender (being male or female). THE HISTORY OF UNDERSTANDING SEXUALITY: RELIGION AND SCIENCE Historically, the main sources of sexual information were religion, and beginning in the late 1800s, science. Important early sex researchers were Sigmund Freud, Havelock Ellis, Richard von Krafft-Ebing, and Magnus Hirschfeld, all emerging from the rigid Victorian era. By the 1990s, major, well-conducted sex surveys were available. THE MEDIA Today, the mass media -- whether television, magazines, or the Internet -- carry extensive portrayals of sexuality and are a powerful influence on most people's understanding of sexuality. The mass media may have an influence through cultivation, agenda setting, and social learning. CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUALITY Studies of various human cultures around the world provide evidence of enormous variations in human sexual behavior. Frequency of intercourse may vary from once a week in some cultures to three or four times a night in others. Attitudes regarding premarital and extramarital sex, masturbation, same-gender sexual behavior, and gender roles vary considerably across cultures. Within the United States, sexual behavior varies with social class and ethnic group. These great variations provide evidence of the importance of learning and culture in shaping sexual behavior. Yet all societies regulate sexual behavior in some way. CROSS-SPECIES PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUALITY Studies of sexual behavior in various animal species show that masturbation, mouth-genital stimulation, and same-gender sexual behavior are by no means limited to humans. In many species, sexual behavior may be used for nonsexual purposes such as expressing dominance. THE SEXUAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE A new international movement focuses on sexual health and the principles of sexual rights.
Rhinoplasty
Surgery done to change the shape of the nose.
Oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the ovaries.
Prostatectomy
Surgical removal of the prostate.
Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus.
Steroids
Synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone that promote tissue growth.
Obscenity
That which is offensive to decency or modesty, or calculated to arouse sexual excitement or lust.
Body Image
The mental image we have of our own physical appearance.
Polyamory
The nonpossessive, honest, responsible, and ethical philosophy of loving multiple people simultaneously.
Body Composition
The percentage of fat versus lean tissue.
Sexting
The sending of sexually charged messages or images by cell phone or other electronic media.
Third-stage Labor
The stage during which the afterbirth (the placenta) is expelled.
Second-stage labor
The stage during which the baby moves out through the vagina and is delivered.
Singleism
The stigmatizing and stereotyping of people who are not in a socially recognized couple relationship.
Ethnocentrism
The tendency to regard one's own ethnic group and culture as superior to others and to believe that its customs and ways of life are the standards by which other cultures should be judged.
Miscarriage
The termination of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable, as a result of natural causes (not medical intervention, also called spontaneous abortion).
Umbilical cord
The tube that connects the fetus to the placenta.
Amniotic fluid
The watery fluid surrounding a developing fetus in the uterus.
Bill and I are impatient optimists - Melinda Gates
The world is getting better! Poverty has been cut in half in 25 years. 122 million children are alive because of the malaria vaccine work that's happened, and bed nets. Farmers are hooked up to the markets, they're having more income, they're putting their kids in school. The richest couple in the world has dedicated themselves to philanthropy. 300 million women now have access to contraception in the developing world, still 200 million women asking for them. Women in Niger want the availability of contraceptives, sometimes their husband would not allow them to use it. Melissa and Bill Gates believe in universal contraception. Nigerian government set up husband schools to teach them how their children and women will be healthier if they space their births. Self-help groups in India in which they share education about contraceptives: 75 million women. Giving women access to mobile banking on their phones allows them to send their kids to school. 20 million people alive because of the Global Fund, which is for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Less than 1 percent of Americans know that poverty has been cut in half in the past 25 years. Take action about dying children who suffer from disease in developing countries. We need to measure the economic engagement of women so we can lift them out of poverty. In 1980s, 37 percent of computer science degrees went to women, now it is only 18 percent. There is a leaky pipeline, we lose young women and girls all the way from kindergarten through college and into the workforce, but nobody knows why. Games became very male-centric, at a university, there are very few female role models. Melinda Gates wants to set an example for young women -- one person could change the world, and have a ripple effect and touch many people, wants to inspire others.
Dutch masters of sex ed - Peggy Orenstein
U.S. has highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world, Netherlands has the lowest. U.S. also has teen birth rate 8x higher than theirs and teen abortion rates 17x higher than theirs. Study showed that American girls = sexually active at a younger age than the Dutch, had more encounters with partners, and were less likely to use birth control. Intercourse usually started from pressured opportunity at a party. Relationships are more often male-oriented, and driven by hormones. Dutch girls' early sexual activity took place in loving, respectful relationships, open communication about what they wanted, were more in touch with their bodies and desires than American girls. The difference is Dutch teens tend to talk much more openly about sex with their parents and doctors than American teens. 1960s sex revolution, 2 governments treated it very differently, U.S. handled it like a health crisis that must be curbed, and the Dutch handled it like a natural process that needed proper guidance, making pelvic exams, birth control, and abortion free to anyone under 22. The U.S. government funded abstinence-only sex education, while the Dutch made their sex education much more comprehensive and interactive, emphasizing reproduction, diseases, contraception, and abortion. Seems to be a larger rift between parents and teenagers in America -- the U.S. conception of the adolescent with raging hormones. Dutch parents are much closer to their children, even permitting co-ed sleepovers, but they encourage sex in a loving, relationship-oriented context over promiscuity: The results speak for themselves.
Teen Girl Sends Teen Boy 5 Sexts - His Choice: 350 Years in Prison, or Life
Zachary X, now 19, is in jail awaiting sentencing for five pictures his teenage girlfriend sent him of herself in her underwater. Arrested, sentenced and charged with 20 felonies, like indecent liberties with a minor, using a computer to propose sex, and child porn reproduction/transmission/selling. Prosecutors scare defendants into a deal: Zachary agreed to plead guilty to his felonies, which in turn will make him register as a violent sex offender for the rest of his life. Agreed never to appeal as part of his plea bargain. Teens, computers, and prosecutors who want to look tough on sex offenders are a bad mixture. The psychologist stated that they cannot count the number of adolescent sex offenders who have a sense that what they are doing is wrong, but were ignorant that their conduct was a crime, let alone a felony, or actions which could put them on the Sex Offender Registry. There was still consent between both parties. Ignorance does not excuse the conduct, but it does help explain why he did this, and can be fixed with education. State of Virginia prosecutor has chosen to pretend that the only way to keep Zachary from preying on young flesh is to destroy his life. Believes the incident of adolescent immaturity and poor judgment -- does not warrant being placed on the sex offender registry. Diversion programs for first-time offenders might be better to rehabilitate and educate criminals. The case made Zachary fearufl of women.
