MODULE 2a: UNPACKING THE SELF

Big Picture
Week 6-7. Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO): At the end of the unit, you are expected to:
a. Explain the meaning, nature, and concept of the physical self.
b. Discover the different aspects and dynamics of sexuality, gender identity, sexual activity,
attachment, and family planning techniques.
c. Familiarize and apply the discussion on consumerism.
d. Synthesize and analyze the different concepts regarding spirituality, religion, and rituals.
e. Familiarize and synthesize the concepts of the political self.
f. Discuss and explain the core difference between offline identity and digital identity.

Metalanguage

b. To demonstrate ULOa, you will need to have an accurate knowledge of the nature,
concept, and meaning of the physical self.

 Body Image - how one thinks and feels toward one’s body
 Self Esteem - about how you value yourself and how you feel others value you
 Cognitive Bias – error in reasoning, evaluating, and remembering because of holding
on to one’s preferences and beliefs regardless of contrary information

Essential Knowledge

To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) forthe

6th and 7thweek of the course, you need to fully understand the
following essential knowledge that will be laid down in the
succeeding pages. Please note that you are not limited to
exclusively r e f e r r i n g to these resources. Thus, you are
expected to utilize other books, research articles, and other
resources that are available in the university’s library.

INTRODUCTION

We are living in a world where the material and immaterial selves are
both represented. How is that possible? Thanks to advances in technology, we now have both a
physical world and our virtual reality. How do you view yourself in both worlds?

Society transforms us in numerous ways. This involves:

  How we perceive our bodies visually.
 How we feel about our physical appearance.
 How we think and talk to ourselves about our bodies; and
 Our sense of how other people view our bodies.

The current embedded idea of what is attractive, beautiful, or handsome is an unrealistic image,
which is genetically impossible for us to emulate. This unrealistic image is continually driven into our
minds by the media through ads, movies, and TV shows. The media is a very powerful tool in reinforcing
cultural beliefs and values. Although it is not fully responsible for determining the standards for physical
attractiveness, it makes escaping the barrage of images and attitudes almost impossible to escape.

A positive view of “self” involves understanding that healthy, attractive bodies come in many
shapes and sizes, and that physical appearance says very little about our character or value as a
person. We must strive to know ourselves beyond our preconceived ideas of who we are.

The Physical Self

The nature of beauty is one of the most enduring and controversial themes in western
philosophy. Beauty, traditionally, was among the ultimate values along with goodness, truth, and justice.
It was a primary theme among ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and medieval philosophers; it was central to
eighteenth- and nineteenth-century thought. By the beginning of the twentieth century, beauty was in decline
as a subject of philosophical inquiry. However, there were signs of revived interest by the early 2000s.

The two most-debated views about beauty are:

1. Beauty is objective.

2. Beauty is subjective.

Before the 18th century, most Western philosophical views on beauty treated it as an objective
quality. For example:

St. Augustine of Hippo asked whether things were beautiful because it gave
delight, or whether it gave delight because it was beautiful. He believed it to be the
latter. This means that he found satisfaction and delight in things becausethey
were beautiful. For example, a flower, in St. Augustine’s view, is not
beautiful because it is pleasant, but it is pleasant because it is beautiful.

Plato connected beauty as a response to love and desire. He asserted that

beauty exists in the realm of Forms, and that objects are found beautiful
because they reflect the idea of beauty that already exists in the
realm of forms.
 Aristotle asserted that the chief forms of beauty are order, symmetry, and
definiteness which can be demonstrated by mathematical sciences.

By the eighteen century, however, beauty was associated with pleasure as a personal preference.
Some philosophers who hold this view are:

David Hume – “Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists

merely in the mind which contemplates them, and each mind
perceives a different beauty. One person may even perceive
deformity, whereas another is sensible of beauty; and every
individual ought to acquiesce in his own sentiment, without
pretending to regulate those of others.” (Hume, 1757,136)

Immanuel Kant – “The judgment of taste is therefore not a judgmentof

cognition, and is consequently not logical but aesthetical, by which we
understand that whose determining ground can be no other than
subjective” (Kant, 1790, section 1).

Francis Hutcheson – “The

perception of beauty does depend on the external sense of sign;
however, the internal sense of beauty operates as an internal or
reflex sense. The same is the case with hearing; hearing music
does not necessarily give the perception of harmony as it is distinct
from the hearing.” (Inquiry I. I. ).
What did Psychology discover about beauty?

Researchers suggest that a person who is perceived as attractive makes more money than a
person of below-average attractiveness. In politics, voters who are not actively engaged in social and
political issues choose candidates based on “looks” 90% of the time.

These study results can be attributed to a cognitive bias known as the halo effect. The halo
effect refers to the tendency of people to rate attractive individuals more favorably for their personality
traits or characteristics as compared to those who are less attractive. It is a cognitive bias which is an error
in reasoning, evaluating, remembering or any other mental process that is often a result of holding on to
one’s preferences and beliefs regardless of contrary information.

Meanwhile, evolutionary psychology found that faces hold certain fundamental and important
characteristics that could indicate a person’s quality as a romantic partner and as a mate.

For females, an attractive man has the following physical qualities:

 Relatively prominent cheekbones and eyebrow ridges

 Relatively long lower face
 Prominent jawline

For males, an attractive woman has the following physical qualities:

 Prominent cheekbones
 Large eyes
 Small nose
 Taller forehead
 Smooth skin
 An overall young or even childlike appearance

How Cultural Traditions Shape Body Image

Culture has a significant impact on how a person feels about himself or herself, as well as his or her
body image. Cultural traditions can either be a positive or a negative influence on body image andon
self-esteem. Body image is generally defined as how one thinks and feels toward one’s body.

Ideal standards of body sizes are culturally specific. Since the 1960s, ideal body sizes for white
American women have emphasized thinness. The Philippines is undoubtedly influenced by Western
culture, particularly American culture; a culture that generally tends to hyper-focus on dieting and body
appearance. Digitally retouched photos are the norm (i.e. Photoshop, filter), and this mentality can
negatively influence a person’s body image. A study reported that young Filipino women were
dissatisfied with their bodies which possibly stemmed from unreasonable weight concerns and
extremedrive for thinness.

Does your body image have an impact on your self-esteem?

 The term self-esteem was coined by William James in 1800. He presented self-esteem as the
number of successes a person achieves in the domains of life that are important to him or her, divided
by the number of failures that occurred in those areas (The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and
Behavioral Science, 2002). In the 1960s, behavioral scientists defined self-esteem in terms of an
attitude concerning one’s worth as a person (Rosenberg, 1965). Today, self-esteem is about how you
value yourself and how you feel others value you. Self-esteem is important because it can affect
your mental health as well as how you behave.

If you have a positive body image, you probably like and accept yourself the way you are, even
if you do not fit the popular notion of “beautiful” or “handsome”. This healthy attitude allows you to explore
some other aspects of growing up, such as developing good friendships, becoming more independent
from your parents, and challenging yourself physically and mentally. Developing these parts of yourself
can help boost your self-esteem.

How important is physical beauty?

“Do not judge a book by its cover”. You may have heard many people say this; you may have
said this yourself. However, though it is a wise thought from the conscious mind, your subconscious
mind will contradict you, and you will still find yourself judging people based on their looks in your initial
encounters.

Physical beauty is extremely important. You must also understand that you need to know the
correct definition of physical beauty so that your self-esteem will not suffer. The dictionary’s definition of
beauty is, “the degree to which a person’s physical traits are considered pleasing or beautiful.” Take
note that the definition did not indicate “who” determines what type of physical traits are attractive and
unattractive. Why? Because even though physical beauty is extremely important, the good news is that
physical beauty standards differ from one person to another.
 A self-image problem happens when your looks do not match your beauty standards. For
example, if you believe that being thin is sexy and attractive, yet you are not thin then you might believe
you are unattractive even though o t h e r s f i n d you attractive. The problem here is with your beauty
standards and not with your looks. To have a positive self-image and higher self-esteem, you must fix
your false beliefs about physical attractiveness first.

There is nothing wrong with enhancing one’s physical self. What is problematic is when a
person focuses too much on physical beauty and disregards everything else. Below are some tips on
how to take care of your body:

1. Healthy eating. You need to eat the right amount and combination of food to ensure your
health and sustenance. Following a healthy diet result in healthy skin, your ideal weight,
and better stamina.

2. Embracing a healthy lifestyle. Avoid drinking, smoking, and doing other unhealthy habits
to reduce the risk of illness and diseases and to make your immune system stronger.
Physical activities such as walking, running, going to the gym, and engaging in sports also
contribute to a healthier body.

3. Maintaining proper hygiene. Taking care of your body by consistently following a hygiene
regimen can also help you feel good about yourself. You can do this by regularly brushing your
teeth and properly grooming.
4. Being confident. Self-confidence is your best make-up and results in optimal physicalwell-
being. Be secure in yourself, embrace a positive outlook toward various situations and
problems, and love and accept who you are.

ACTIVITY 2.1. On the next page, create a collage using your pictures to show how you developedfrom
your oldest picture you can recover up to the present. There is no limit to how many images youcan
use. For each picture, write a caption to tell a story about your evolution. Focus on the physical changes
manifested while you were growing up. Be creative.

The criteria are as follows:

 Creativity : /50

 Clarity of story : /30

 Organization : /20

 Total score : /100

ACTIVITY 2.2. Based on your college, answer the following questions.

1. What significant changes have you seen in yourself while growing up? What makes these changes
significant?

2. In your opinion, what factors contributed to those significant changes while growing up? How?

3. Considering how you look now; is there anything you wish to change? Why or why not?
IN A NUTSHELL

 The physical self refers to the body. The body’s ability to perform its functions gradually changes
through the years.
 Body image refers to how individuals perceive, think, and feel about their body and
physicalappearance. It can affect both the adolescent’s physical and psychological well-being.

Keywords Index

This section lists down the keywords for easy recall of concepts.

Body Image Self-Esteem Cognitive Bias

Metalanguage

c. To demonstrate ULOb, you will need to have an accurate knowledge of the nature,
concept, and meaning of the sexual self.





Essential Knowledge

To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the 6th and 7th week of the
course, you need to fully understand the following essential knowledge that will be laid down in the
succeeding pages. Please note that you are not limited to exclusively referring to these resources.
Thus, you are expected to utilize other books, research articles, and other resources.

THE SEXUAL SELF

“Self-love is about respecting and appreciating every single part of who you are and being
proud to be you.” – Miya Yamanouchi, Embrace Your Sexual Self: A Practical Guide for Women

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

The female sex is considered the “fundamental” sex because if a particular chemical promptingis
absent, all fertilized eggs will develop into females. For a fertilized egg to become male, a cascade of
chemical reactions must be present initiated by a single gene in the male Y chromosome called the
SRY (Sex-determining region in the Y chromosome). Females do not have any Y chromosome; hence, they
do not have the SRY gene.

Both the male and female embryos have the same group of cells that will
potentially develop into male or female gonads or sex glands. However, the
presence of the SRY gene initiates the development of the testes while
suppressing the vital genes for female development.
Further Sexual Development Occurs at Puberty

Puberty is the stage at which individuals become sexually mature. The outcome of puberty is
different for boys and girls, but the hormonal process is similar. Moreover, though the timing of these
changes varies for every individual, the sequence of changes for boys and girls is predictable, resulting
in adult physical characteristics and the capacity to reproduce.

Puberty can be separated into five stages. The characteristics for each stage vary for girls and
boys.

STAGES PUBERTY STAGES IN GIRLS PUBERTY STAGES IN BOYS

1 Approximately between the ages of 8 and 11: Approximately between ages 9 and 12:

The ovaries enlarge and hormone production No visible signs of development occur; but
starts, but external development is not yet internally, male hormones become a lot more
visible. active. Sometimes a growth spurt begins at
this time.

2 Approximately between the ages of 8 and 14: Approximately between ages 9 to 15:

The first external sign of puberty is usually Height increases, and the shape of the body
breast development. changes.

At first, breast buds develop. The nipples will be Muscle tissue and fat develop currently.
tender and elevated.

The area around the nipple (the aureole) will The aureole, the dark skin around the nipple,
increase in size. darkens and increases in size.

The first stage of pubic hair may also be present at The testicles and scrotum grow, but the penis
this time. It may be coarse and curly or find and probably does not.
straight.

Height and weight increase at this time. The A little bit of pubic hair begins to grow at the
body gets rounder and curvier. base of the penis.

3 Approximately between the ages of 9 and 15: Approximately between ages 11 and 16:

Breast growth continues, and pubic hair gets The penis starts to grow during this stage. It
coarser and darker. tends to grow in length rather than width.

Pubic hair is getting darker and coarser and

During this stage, whitish discharge from the spreading to where the legs meet the torso.
vagina may be present.
Also, boys continue to grow in height, and
even their faces begin to appear more
For some girls, the first menstrual period begins mature.
at this time.
The shoulders broaden, making the hips look
smaller.

Muscle tissue increases, and the voice starts

 to change and deepen.

Finally, facial hair begins to develop on the

upper lip.

4 Approximately ages 10 to 16: Approximately 11 to 17:

Some girls notice that their aureoles get even At this time, the penis starts to grow in width,
darker and separate into a little mound rising too.
above the rest of the breast.
The testicles and scrotum also continue to
Pubic hair may begin to have more adult grow. Hair may begin to grow on the anus.
triangular pattern of growth.
The texture of the penis becomes more adult-
If it did not happen in Stage 3, menarche (first looking. Underarm and facial hair increases
menstruation) should start now. as well.

The first fertile ejaculations typically appear at

Ovulation may start now, too. But it will not approximately 15 years of age, but this age
necessarily occur on a regular basis. (It is can vary widely across individual boys.
possible to have regular periods even if
ovulation does not occur every month) Skin gets oilier, and the voice continues to
deepen.

5 Approximately between ages 12 and 19: Approximately 14 to 18:

This is the final stage of development. Full Boys reach their full adult height.
height is reached, and young women are
ovulating regularly. Pubic hair and the genitals look like an adult
man’s do.
Pubic hair is filled in, and the breasts are
developed fully for the body. At this point, too, shaving is a necessity.

Some young men continue to grow past this

point, even into their twenties.

What are the erogenous zones of the body?

The term ‘erogenous zones’ was popularized in the 1960s and 1970s to describe areas of the body
that are highly sensitive to stimuli and are often (but not always) sexually exciting. In this context, “highly
sensitive” means these areas of the body have a high number of sensory receptors or nerve endings
that react to stimuli - both pain and pleasure.

The Skin

The skin serves as the primary erotic stimulus. Two types of erogenous zones exist in the skin.

1. Nonspecific type
a. The pleasurable sensation felt from these regions is simply an exaggerated form of tickle.
 b. Examples of this type of skin are the sides and back of the neck, the axilla (armpit,
underarm), and the sides of the thorax (chest).
2. Specific type
a. It is found in the mucocutaneous regions of the body, or those regions made of both mucous
membranes and of cutaneous skin.
b. These regions favor acute perception (abrupt or sudden perception)
c. These specific sites of acute sensation are the genital regions, including the prepuce, penis,
the female external genitalia (vulva), the perianal skin, lips, and nipples.

 Prepuce – the retractable fold of skin covering

the tip of the penis also known as the foreskin.
 Penis – male erectile organ of copulation by
which urine and semen are discharged from the
body.
 The female external genitalia (vulva)include:
o Mons pubis (pubic area)
o Clitoris – the female sexual organ that
is small, sensitive, and located in front
of the opening of the vagina.
o Labia majora and labia minora – the
labia majora are fleshy lips around the
vagina. These are larger outer folds of
the vulva. The labia minora also known
as the inner labia, inner lips, vaginal lips,
or nymphaea are two flaps of skin on
either side of the human vaginal opening in the vulva situated between the labia
majora.
o Vaginal introitus (vaginal opening) – the opening that leads to the vaginal canal.
o Hymen – the membrane that surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening.
 Perianal skin – the area of the body surrounding the anus, and in particular, the skin. The
perianal skin is very sensitive. It is also susceptible to injury and damage.
 Lips –soft, movable, and serve as the opening for food intake and in the articulation of sound
and speech; can be erogenous when used in kissing and any other acts of intimacy.
 Nipples – raised region of tissue on the surface of the breast.

Bear in mind that what feels great for you, or one person does not mean others will like it too.
Everyone has their own kind of sensitivities. How your brain interprets what is happening with the given part
of the body influences your sexual response as well. For example, even if a particular part ofthe body is
packed with sensory nerve receptors, stimulation of this part may feel unpleasant if you had negative
experiences or have negative ideas about that given part of the body such as in forced sexual acts.
Understanding the Human Sexual Response

The sexual response cycle refers to the sequence of physical and emotional occurrences
when the person is participating in a sexually stimulating activity such as intercourse or masturbation. In
general, both men and women experience these phases. However, they do not experience it at the
same time. For example, it is unlikely that a couple will orgasm simultaneously. Moreover, the intensity of
the sensation and the time spent in each phase also vary from person to person. William Masters and Virginia
Johnson, in the late 1950s, pioneered the four-stage model of sexual response (also known as the human
sexual response cycle).

PHASES GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Phase 1:  Muscle tension increases.
Excitement  Heart rate quickens, and breathing is accelerated.
 Skin may become flushed (blotches of redness appear on the
chest and back)
 Nipples become hardened or erect.
 Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of the
woman’s clitoris and labia minora (inner lips), and erection of the
man’s penis.
 Vaginal lubrication begins.
 The woman’s breasts become fuller, and the vaginal walls begin
to swell.
 The man’s testicles swell, his scrotum tightens, and he begins
secreting a lubricating liquid.
Phase 2:  The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified.
Plateau  The vagina continues to swell from increased blood flow, and the
vaginal walls turn a dark purple.
 The woman’s clitoris becomes highly sensitive (may even be
painful to touch) and retracts under the clitoral hood to avoid
direct stimulation from the penis.
 The man’s testicles are withdrawn up into the scrotum.
 Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to increase.
 Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face, and hands.
 Tension in the muscles increases.
Phase 3: This phase is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It is
Orgasm the shortest of the phases and generally lasts only a few seconds.
General characteristics of this phase include the following:
 Involuntary muscle contractions begin.
 Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at their highest
rates, with a rapid intake of oxygen.
 Muscles in the feet spasm.
 There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual tension.
 In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The uterus also
undergoes rhythmic contractions.
 In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the
penis result in the ejaculation of semen.
 A rash or “sex flush” may appear over the entire body.
Phase 4: During this phase, the body slowly returns to its
Resolution normal functioning level. The swelled and erect body parts return
totheir previous size and color. This phase is marked by a
generalsense of well-being; intimacy is enhanced; and often, fatigue
sets in.
With further sexual stimulation, some women can return to
the orgasm phase. This allows them to experience multiple orgasms.
Men, on the other hand, need recovery time after orgasm. This is
called the refractory period. How long a man needs a refractory
period varies among men and their age.

Sex and the Brain. What parts are involved?

Primarily, sex is the process of combining male and female genes to form offspring. However,
complex systems of behavior have evolved the sexual process from its primary purpose of
reproduction to the motivation and rewards circuit that roots sexual behaviors. Ultimately, the largest
sex organ controlling the biological urges, mental processes, as well as emotional and physical
responses to sex, is the brain.

Roles of the brain in sexual activity:

 It is responsible for translating the nerve impulses sensed by the skin into pleasurable
sensations.
 It controls the nerves and muscles used in sexual activities.
 Sexual thoughts and fantasies are theorized to lie in the cerebral cortex, the same area used for
thinking and reasoning.
 Emotions and feelings (which are important for sexual behavior) are believed to originate in the
limbic system.
 The brain releases the hormones considered as the physiological origin of sexual desire.

Roles of hormones in sexual activity:

The hypothalamus is the most important part of the brain for sexual functioning. This small area
at the base of the brain has several groups of nerve-cell bodies that receive input from the limbic
system. One reason the hypothalamus is important in human sexual activity is its relation to the pituitary
gland. The pituitary gland secretes the hormones produced in the hypothalamus.

1. Oxytocin
It is also known as the “love hormone” and is believed to be involved in our desire to maintain
close relationships. It is released during sexual intercourse when an orgasm is achieved.

2. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

It is responsible for ovulation in females. The National Institute of Environmental Health

Sciences in Durham, N.C., discovered that sexual activity was more frequent during a woman’s
fertile time.
 3. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

The LH is crucial in the regulation of the testes in men and ovaries in women. In men, the
LH stimulates the testes to reproduce testosterone. In males, testosterone appears to be a major
contributing factor to sexual motivation.

4. Vasopressin

It is involved in the male arousal phase. The increase of vasopressin during erectile response
is believed to be directly associated with increased motivation to engage in sexual behavior.

5. Estrogen and Progesterone

They typically regulate motivation to engage in sexual behavior for females, with estrogen
increasing motivation and progesterone decreasing it.

Understanding the Chemistry of Lust, Love, and Attachment

Falling in love can be a wonderfully wild experience. It is a rush

of longing, passion, and euphoria. Fast forward a few years, and the
excitement would have died down (though the levels vary for every
couple). For couples who remain together through the years, the rush
would have been replaced by a warm, comfortable, and nurturing feeling.

Anthropologist Helen Fisher of Rutgers University proposed three stages of falling in love; and
for each stage, a different set of chemicals run the show.
The three stages of falling in love are:

1. Lust (erotic passion);

2. Attraction (romantic passion);
3. Attachment (commitment).

Lust

This stage is marked by physical attraction. You want to seduce and be seduced by your object
of affection. Lust is driven by testosterone in men and estrogen in women. Lust, however, will not
guarantee that the couple will fall in love in any lasting way.

Attraction

At this stage, you begin to crave for your partner’s presence. You feel excitement and energetic
as you fantasize about the things you could do together as a couple. Three chemicals trigger this
feeling: norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

 Norepinephrine – responsible for the extra surge of energy and triggers increased heart rate,
loss of appetite, as well as the desire to sleep. Your body is in a more alert state and is ready
for action.
  Dopamine – is associated with motivation and goal-directed behavior. It makes you pursue your
object of affection. It creates a sense of novelty, where the person seems exciting, special, or
unique that you want to tell the world about his or her admirable qualities.
 Serotonin – is thought to cause obsessive thinking. Low levels of serotonin are said to be present
in people with OCD. The study suggests that those who expressed they were in love and people
with OCD both had less serotonin transporter in their blood compared to those who did not express
they were in love and do not have OCD as well.

Attachment

Attachment involves the desire to have a lasting commitment with your significant other. At
thispoint, you may want to get married and/or have children.

Gender Differences in Sexual Desire

Factors that influence the notable gender difference in sexual desire include culture, social
environment, and even political situation. One of the most notable gender differences in sexual desire is that
women place great emphasis on interpersonal relationships as part of the experience. Males, on the
other hand, enjoy a more casual sexual behavior.

The Diversity of Sexual Behavior

Sexual orientation is defined as an individual’s general sexual disposition toward partners of the
same sex, the opposite sex, or both sexes. There has been much interest in sexual desire as an index
of sexual orientation. Historically, the most important indicator of same-sex (i.e., gay, lesbian, or
bisexual) orientation was same-sex sexual desire. More recent scientific studies, however, found that
same-sex desire or sexual orientation are more complicated than previously thought.

In the past, it was thought that gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals were the only people who ever
experienced same-sex sexual desire. However, it was found that completely heterosexual or ‘straight’
persons periodically experience same-sex sexual desires, even if they have little motivation to act on
those desires. It also did not appear to indicate that a completely heterosexual individual will eventually
want to pursue same-sex sexual behavior or will eventually consider him/herself lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

Now, researchers generally believe that lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations are
characterized by persistent and intense experiences of same-sex desire that are stable over time.

Gender Identity vs. Sexual Orientation

 Sex – a label that you’re assigned by a doctor a birth based on the genitals you’re born with and
the chromosomes you have. It goes on your birth certificate.

 Gender – it is not determined biologically but it is constructed socially.

  Sexual orientation – a person’s emotional and erotic attraction toward another individual;
inherent or immutable during emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to some other people –
attraction can be towards the same or opposite sex.

 Gender identity – refers to one’s sense of being male or female; one’s innermost concept of
self as male, female, or a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what
they call themselves.
What is the LGBTQ+?

LGBTQ+ is an umbrella or catch-all term for a wide spectrum of gender identities, sexual
orientations, and romantic orientations.

 L stands for lesbian – females who are exclusively attracted to women.

 G stands for gay. This can refer to males who are exclusively attracted to any other males; it
can also refer to anyone who is attracted to his/her same gender.
 B stands for bisexual or someone who is sexually/romantically attracted to both men and
women.
 T or Trans*/Transgender is an umbrella term for people who do not identify with the gender
assigned to them at birth. Trans woman is an identity label adapted by a male to female trans
people to signify that they identify themselves as women and vice versa.
 Q stands for queer. It is a useful term for those who are questioning their identities and are
unsure about using more specific terms or those who simply do not wish to label themselves
and prefer to use a broader umbrella term.
 + signifies that many identities are not explicitly represented by the letters. This includes (but is not
limited to) intersex or people who are born with a mix of male and female biological traits that
can make it hard for doctors to assign them a male or female sex, and asexual or a person who is
not interested in or does not desire sexual activity.

Research strongly suggests that sexual orientation is not a choice but a relatively stable
characteristic of a person that cannot be changed. Just as most the heterosexual peopledo not
choose to be attracted to the opposite sex, the large majority of LGBTQ+ people alsodo not choose
theirs. The only real choice that the LGBTQ+ community must deal with is whether to be open about
their orientation or not.

Other factors related to sexual orientation and gender identity

 Sociocultural Factors – the Philippines and most of its Southeast Asian neighbor’s view
heterosexuality as the norm. In some countries, they are not as restrictive. For example, in New
Guinea, it is culturally expected for young boys to engage in sexual behaviors with any other
young boys because they believed it was essential to being a man. In Thailand, they recognize more
than two categories (aside from male and female) – male, female and kathoey which roughly
means transgender in Western cultures.
  Family Influences – children whose parents adhere to strict gender-stereotyped roles are, in
general, more likely to take on those roles themselves as adults than are peers whose parents
provided less stereotyped, more neutral models for behaving.

 Urban Setting – large cities seem to provide a friendlier environment for same-gender
i n t e r e s t s to develop and be expressed than in rural areas. In rural areas, LGBTQ+ people
experience:
o High levels of intolerance.
o Limited social and institutional support; and
o Higher incidence of social isolation.

 History of Sexual Abuse – previous studies claimed that abused adolescents, particularly
those victimized by males, are more likely to become homosexual or bisexual in adulthood.
However, these studies were criticized for being non-clinical and unreliable. Some other
findings suggested no significant relationship that child abuse leads to same-sex sexual
orientation in adulthood.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

It is also known as STI or sexually transmitted infection. It is acquired through sexual contact
where the organisms or viruses that cause STD are passed from person to person in blood, semen, vaginal,
or any other bodily fluids. STDs can also be transmitted non-sexually such as mother to infant during
pregnancy; blood transfusion; and people sharing needles for injection.

It is possible to contract STDs from people who seem perfectly healthy, and who may not even
be aware of the infection. STDs do not always cause symptoms, which is one of the reasons experts
prefer the term “sexually transmitted infections” over “sexually transmitted” diseases.

The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012

The Reproductive Health Law or the RH Law, is a law in the Philippines that guarantees access
to contraceptive methods, such as fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care. Here are some (not
all) of the specific and regional objectives of the RH Law:

Specific Objectives:

 Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio (death of
mother during childbirth)
 Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate.
 To have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse, the spread of HIV/Aids.

Regional Objectives

 Making pregnancy safer.

 Integrate gender and rights consideration into health policy and programs, especially into
reproductive health and maternal health care.
  Improve access to the full range of affordable, equitable, and high-quality family planning and
reproductive health services to increase contraceptive use rate and reduce unwanted
pregnancies.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Family Planning

Advantages Disadvantages
Mother Birth control health risks
 Enables her to regain her health after  Allergies to spermicides or latex
delivery.  Oral contraceptives can lead to hair loss
 Gives enough time and opportunity to and weight gain
love and provide attention to her  Use of diaphragms can lead to urinary
husband and children. tract infection
 Gives more time for her family and own
personal advancement. Possibility of pregnancy
 When suffering from an illness, gives  Family planning methods are not 100%
enough time for treatment and recovery. reliable.
 Other than abstinence (not engaging in
Children sexual intercourse), there is no birth
 Healthy mothers produce healthy control method (including the ‘calendar
children. method’) that is completely effective.
 Will get all the attention, security, love,  Sexually active couples should always
and care they deserve. consider the possibility of an unexpected
pregnancy
Father
 Lightens the burden and responsibility in Pregnancy after birth control
supporting his family.  It might take months for ovulation and
 Enables him time for his family and own the menstrual period to return to normal
personal advancement after stopping hormonal contraceptives
 When suffering from an illness, gives
enough time for treatment and recovery

The Natural Family Planning Method (NFP)

It is the method that uses the body’s natural physiological changes and symptoms to identify the
fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. Such methods are also known as fertility-awareness
methods. These methods are unreliable in preventing unwanted pregnancy although it is preferred by
people who do not wish to use artificial methods. It also does not protect against STDs including HIV.

Types of Natural Family Planning Methods

1. Periodic abstinence (fertility awareness) method

2. Use of breastfeeding or lactational amenorrhea method (LAM)
3. Coitus interruptus (withdrawal or pulling out) method

Periodic Abstinence (Fertility Awareness) Methods

 a. Rhythm(calendar) method – the couple tracks the woman’s menstrual history to predict when she
will ovulate. To avoid unwanted pregnancy, couples avoid having penetrative sexual
intercourse during the time when the woman is likely to conceive; on the other hand, those who want
to get pregnant follow this method for an exact different reason.
b. Basal body temperature monitoring – relies on monitoring temperature changes throughout
the menstrual cycle, and changes in the body coincide with hormonal changes. Basal
temperature is your temperature when your body is fully at rest. You'll be most fertile during the two
to three days before your temperature rises.
c. The cervical mucus (ovulation) method – involves examining the color and viscosity of the
cervical mucus to discover when ovulation is occurring.

Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

Through exclusive breastfeeding, the woman can suppress ovulation. LAM prevents the
release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) when a mother breastfeeds her child as often as the baby
wants, day and night, and does not give the baby any other foods or liquids.

Coitus Interruptus (withdrawal or pulling out) Method

This is one of the oldest methods of contraception. The couple proceeds with sexual
intercourse; however, the man must release his sperm outside the vagina. Hence, he must withdraw his
penis the moment he ejaculates. This method is only 75% effective because the pre-ejaculation fluid that
contains a few spermatozoa may cause fertilization.

Hormonal Contraception/Artificial Family Planning

These are effective family planning methods that manipulate the hormones that directly affectthe
normal menstrual cycle so that ovulation will not occur.

Oral Contraceptives
It is also known as the pill. Oral contraceptives contain synthetic
estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen suppresses ovulation while
progesterone decreases the permeability of the cervical mucus to
limit the sperm’s access to the ova. Research suggests that it can
impair a woman’s ability to recognize complex emotions.
Vaginal Ring
It is a birth control ring inserted into the vagina and slowly releases
hormones through the vaginal wall into the bloodstream to prevent
pregnancy. With typical use, about eight in every 100 people using
the vaginal ring will get pregnant each year. When used correctly,
however, the chance of you getting pregnant with a vaginal ring is
less than 1%.

Subdermal Implants
Subdermal contraceptive implants involve the delivery of steroid
progestin from polymer capsules or rods placed under the skin.
The hormone diffuses out slowly at a stable rate, providing
contraceptive effectiveness for 1-5 years. It can be removed at any
time, followed by a quick return to fertility and it also eliminates the
need to interrupt sex for contraception.

Hormonal Injections
It is a contraceptive injection given once every three months. It
typically suppresses ovulation, keeping the ovaries from releasing
an egg. Hormonal injections also thicken cervical mucus to keep
the sperm from reaching the egg. If you have the injection during
the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, you'll be immediately
protected against becoming pregnant. If you have the injection on
any other day of your cycle, you'll need to use additional
contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

An IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic device wrapped in copper or
contains hormones. A doctor inserts the IUD into the uterus. It
prevents fertilization of the egg by damaging or killing sperm. It
makes the mucus in the cervix thick and sticky, so sperm cannot
get through to the uterus. If you use an IUD correctly, your chance
of getting pregnant is less than 1%. IUDs don't protect against
STDs.
Diaphragm
Diaphragms are dome-shaped barrier methods of contraception
that block sperms from entering the uterus. The diaphragm is a
barrier that covers your cervix, stopping sperm from joining an egg.
They are made of latex (rubber) and formed like a shallow cup. It is
filled with spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervix.

Cervical Cap
A cervical cap is a silicone cup inserted into the vagina to cover the
cervix and keep sperm out of the uterus. Spermicide is added to
the cervical cap to kill any sperm that may get inside the protective
barrier. This is not a widely used method and few health care
providers recommend this type of contraception. It may cause
vaginal irritation and increase in the number of bladder infections.

Male Condoms
The male condom is a latex or synthetic rubber sheath placed on
the erect penis before vaginal penetration to trap the sperm during
ejaculation. Condoms can prevent STDs. If you use them correctly
every time you have sex, male condoms are very effective at
preventing pregnancy and the transmission of the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS.

Female Condoms
It is a thin pouch inserted into the vagina before sex serving as a
protective barrier to prevent pregnancy and protection from
sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Female condoms
create a barrier that prevents bodily fluids and semen from
entering the vagina.
Surgical Methods

One of the most effective birth control methods is the surgical method. This method ensures
conception is inhibited permanently after the surgery.

Two kinds of surgical methods:

 Vasectomy
o A surgical operation wherein the tube that carries the sperm to a man’s penis is cut. It is
a permanent male contraception method. This procedure preserves ejaculation and
does not cause impotence or erectile dysfunction since the vasectomy does not involve
anything in the production of testosterone.
 Tubal Ligation
o It is a surgical procedure for female sterilization involving severing and tying the
fallopian tubes. A tubal ligation disrupts the movement of the egg to the uterus for
fertilization and blocks sperm from traveling up the fallopian tubes to the egg. A tubal
ligation does not affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. A tubal ligation can be done at any time,
including after normal childbirth or a C-section. It is possible to reverse a tubal ligation
– but reversal requires major surgery and is not always effective.

It is important to note that most of the contraceptive methods discussed involve females. This
indicates or may suggest that women should be more careful in choosing their potential mates to avoid
unnecessary risks that may be costly and life-threatening. It is not the man that gets the responsibility
to carry a child for nine months but the woman. Men should also be considerate in discussing
contraceptive methods with their partners because partaking in a family planning method does not
always guarantee a 100% chance of preventing pregnancy and the woman is almost always onthe
receiving end of the family planning program. Even the most effective contraceptive method only offers
a 99% chance of not getting pregnant. Learning to have an exclusive sexual partner with a
commitment to be together is better than having an unexpected child without any preparation.

ACTIVITY 2.3. Write an essay of what you have learned throughout the whole topic of the sexual self.
What is your sexual orientation and gender identity? How would you apply that knowledge in your life?
IN A NUTSHELL

 Primary sex characteristics are the physical characteristics present at birth that are directly involved in
reproduction while secondary sex characteristics develop during the onset of puberty.
 There are three components of love: lust, attraction, and attachment.
 Sexual orientation refers to a person’s sexual identity anchored on what gender they are attracted to.
  Contraception refers to the methods used to prevent pregnancy. Some can be used to prevent
STIs.

Q & A List

This section is a place for you to raise your questions and queries that you fell the
instructor should give attention to. Feel free to ask relevant questions related from the course
here. This Q & A portion helps the review of concepts and essential knowledge.

Do you have any questions for clarification?

Questions/Issues Answers
11.

12.

3.

4.

5.

Keywords Index

This section lists down the keywords for easy recall of concepts.

Puberty Erogenous Zones Sexual Orientation Gender Identity