Chapter Seven
Sexual Individuality and Sexual
Values
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Labeling Sex: Establishing Standards
 Normalcy is relative and influenced
by social norms
 Rich diversity in sexual behaviors
exists throughout history and across
cultures
 Abnormal, deviant, variation,
paraphilia are labels used to describe
‘out of the norm’
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Western Culture Standards
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Heterosexual
Coital
Orgasmic
Two-Person
Romantic
Safety
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sexual Individuality
What’s Known About Sexual Orientation & Activity
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Parents’ role in shaping sexuality overemphasized
Basic sexual orientation determined by adolescence
No single social or psychological event determines
Some biological basis - interaction nature & nurture
Social networks shape and perpetuate
Diversity of sexual individuality provides evidence
that there is no single, representative human
sexuality
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Homophobia and Biphobia
 Many in the U.S. have
negative feelings about
homosexuals and bisexuals
 Fears and discriminatory
attitudes are called
homophobia and biphobia
 Same-gender orientation is
no longer viewed as
pathological
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sex and Values
Ethical Beliefs
Moral Values
Cultural Values
Religious Teachings
Spirituality
Are sexual values built-in or socially constructed?
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Widely Accepted Moral Principles
 Noncoercion - Sex should
not be forced; sexual
expression with voluntary
consent only
 Nondeceit - Enticement
into sexual expression
should not be based on
fraud or deception
 Treatment of people as
ends - Others should never
be viewed solely as a
means to one’s own sexual
satisfaction
 Respect for beliefs - Not
pressuring others to act
out of accordance with
their own sexual values
and beliefs
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sexuality Education
 Most favorable toward
sexuality education
 Debate over comprehensive v.
abstinence-only
 Most young people get
education from peers and
media
 Successful sexuality
education recognizes cultural
differences
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sex and Disability Groups
 People with disabilities
have the right to recognize
and express their sexuality
 Developmentally disabled
people need special
approaches to sexuality
education
 Spinal cord injuries may
affect physical aspects of
sexual response
Copyright (c) 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.