Gender and

Human
Sexuality
SEXUALIT
Y
Why is it important to
study HUMAN
SEXUALITY?
 DEFINITION OF
TERMS
GENDER – Is a social concept on how a men
and women should think, feel and act. It
refers to
femininity and masculinity of a person’s role
and behavior.

SEXUALITY – It is an integral part of what we do

and who we are; it is the way in which we
experience and express ourselves as sexual
beings. It is the total expression of individual self-
concept.
 Complexities of sex &
gender
• Is there a difference? Yes, on one level
– Sex is biological – male, female, also intersex (reproductive
differences based on genitalia, chromosomes, hormones)
• Also refers to sexual acts, as in ‘having sex’

– Gender is ‘the structure of social relations that centres on the

reproductive arena, and the set of practices that bring
reproductive distinctions into social processes ’ (Connell 2002: 10)
• Gender underlies assumptions regarding ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’
behaviour

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 The purpose of gender and human
sexuality education is to promote wholesome
family and interpersonal relationships. It aims
to provide you with the knowledge and skills
needed to and healthful
behaviours. Finally, practice it
establish
students like you who can
aims
take
to responsibility
produce
for sexual health.
 It is important to have a clear
outlook of yourself. Then you will
be able to focus on your good
points and develop your
weaknesses. If you know yourself
well, you will know what you must
do to stay healthy.
Sexuality can be best understood
through the help
of the people around you.
How I See Myself – How Others See Me

Yes, this is very much me! X
No, not me at all.
o Unsure.
Listed below are characteristics which may or
may not represent you. Using the icon at the left side,
see if you can rate yourself. After you are done, fold
the paper in half and ask a classmate to rate you.

Extrovert Extrovert Extrovert

Selfish Selfish Selfish
Confident Confident Confident
Aggressive Aggressive Aggressive

Shy Shy Shy

_
Attractive Attractive Attractive
_
Good listener Good listener Good listener

Approachable Approachable Approachable

Liked Liked Liked

Fun After accomplishing this Fun

task, compare your response with Fun the answers of
your classmates regarding your characteristics. Are they the same? Do your
classmates
Sincere see you as you see Sincere
yourself? Reflect on this matter. Sincere
 Group work
Group 1 and 3
– List differences between women and men and
consider:
• On what are these perceived differences based?
(e.g. biological, social, cultural or religious beliefs)

Group 2 and 4
– List similarities between women and men and consider:
• On what are the perceived similarities based? (e.g.
biological, social, cultural or religious beliefs)
(10 mins)
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•
 Discussion
All participants to consider together:
What are the effects of highlighting
differences rather than similarities between
men and women?
To what extent do assumptions about
biologically determined sex differences
between women and men influence
popular culture, sayings or beliefs in the
Caribbean? (10 mins)
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