GENERAL EDUCATION 1- UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

MODULE 5- THE SEXUAL SELF

Intended learning outcomes

At the end of this section, you are expected to:

1. Discuss and elaborate concepts associated with the sexual self, including sex and gender.
2. Identify factors that contribute to one’s sexual development.

This section tackles one of the crucial aspects of human development, the sexual self. It
highlights biological and environmental factors that shape sexual development. Tips on
regulating sexual behavior are also provided.

The Socio-biological Aspect of the Self

A vital aspect of one’s identity is the sexual self, encompassing the biological, physical emotional and social domains.
While it is initially rooted in the distinguishing physical attributes found in men and women, bodily transformations
and the development of secondary sexual characteristics during adolescence also trigger the physiological responses,
leading to beliefs and behavior associated with sex. Thus, it is important for a person to be aware of his or her
sexuality, thoughts, and behavior, in order to make responsible choices.

The Biology of Sex

At birth the sexual genital (penis for males and vagina for females) is a biological feature that distinguishes males
from females. Moreover, during puberty, observable changes in the human body also known as secondary sexual
characteristics begin. For males, the changes include the growth of facial and bodily hair, emergence of adam’s
apple, deepening of the voice and muscle development. in the Philippines, the practice of circumcision is considered
a rite of passage to adulthood among young men. For females, the onset of menstruation and noticeable changes in
hips, breasts, and skin underlie the sexual changes during this developmental stage.
The release of hormones (testosterone for males and estrogen for females) triggers physiological changes in the
reproductive system. Thus, at this stage, males and females start to become capable of procreation; male start
producing sperm while females begin producing eggs.
- He or she likely to experience sexual urges
- Sensitive to sexual stimuli
- Feel sexual arousal

Sexual Identity and Gender Orientation

At birth, one’s sexuality depends on one’s physical features and genitals. Biological sex is one’s assignment upon
birth and is dependent on physical features. On the other hand, gender is an identity that is learned and embraced
by the individual. It goes beyond biological domains and is both a personal and social construct.
Gender roles refer to the expectation of society of how men and women should act. Men are assumed to be strong
and dominant while women are perceived to be submissive and demure. However, gender and biological sex are not
always the same: born a man but assumes “womanly traits” while a woman may behave like a man. There arises the
issues on heterosexual and homosexual.

The Consequences of Social Choice

Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation is the reproductive act in which the male organ (penis) enters the
female’s reproductive tract (vagina). Adult couples who engage in sexual intercourse are usually overwhelmed by the
sensation the feel during the act. In addition, most teenagers who have sex with their partners often reason out the
act by claiming that they “love each other” and are “ready to be committed to each other”. Consequently, pregnancy
occur if both are fertile.
Aside from pregnancy, another consequence of impulsive and careless sexual intercourse is the risk of acquiring
sexually- transmitted disease (STD)- common STDs are syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and genital warts. The most
alarming sexually transmitted disease is the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It can be transmitted b contact between broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes
and HIV- infected blood or blood-contaminated body fluids.

Responsible sexual behavior entails the following:

●Respect for one’s body. It means taking care of one’s bod and avoiding activities that undermine one’s worth and
respect.
●Maturity in thoughts and deeds. It refers to being objective, rational, and calm, instead of being swept by one’s
emotions.
●Being guided by one’s personal beliefs and core values. Everyone, especially the adolescents, should always be
grounded by one’s personal principles and self- worth.
●Being future- oriented. Instead of focusing on the present, a person should always weigh one’s present actions
with possible consequences in the future. Sexual pleasure might be overwhelming at the moment but always focus
on what it will entail in the future.
GENERAL EDUCATION 1- UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

MODULE 5- THE SEXUAL SELF

Name: Neliza O. Salcedo Section: BEED 1C

EXERCISE 1
Instruction: if you think the statement is correct, write agree, otherwise, write disagree.

_Agree_ 1. We cannot control our sexual urges.

_Agree_ 2. Our sexuality is purely biological.
_Agree_ 3. Sexual orientations embody cognitive, affective, and behavior domains.
_Agree_ 4. We are born with sexuality.
Disagree 5. Sex and gender are the same.

EXERCISE 2
Instruction: Answer the following questions.

1. Do beauty pageant objectify (treat as an object) women?

 Beauty pageant objectifies women, but for me this is definitely no, because beauty pageants are there to
make and feel women, proud of their own. There are many who objectify beauty pageants especially the
bikini round. But I say, it's there to make oneself feel confident of who you are. Precisely a contestant who
have stretch marks, operation scars, untoned body and many other things really objectify in a beauty pageant
but this simply doesn't mean that they're to flaunt their body in a provoking way. Rather they're to make every
woman feel proud of their reality instead of feeling ashamed of it. Furthermore, pageants provide such a great
platform to females to address mass and to use their voice purposely not to objectify their own flows.

2. Are you in favor of same sex marriage?

 I am favor in same sex marriage as long it is legalized there’s no wrong about it, the wrong is to the people
who are judgmental, discriminating the LGBTQ I am not part of it but I am against to the people who are
helpless of attention but if we have to elaborate it, in the bible say, (Lord say to moses marriage shall define
as one man and one woman) but nowadays it can’t take it anymore they more persona fall in love in same
gender and we cannot withhold they want to be, just we have to do is accept and support of what they want
to.