ch 6 Flashcards
sex definition
biological distinction between males and females
how does sex vary across cultures?
- people have sex in different positions in different cultures
- different body parts are considered the most sexual in different cultures, ie breasts and genitals in europe, knees in sumatra
all cultures consider this taboo
incest
sexual revolution of the 60s
premarital sex became more prevalent, birth control and condoms became more widespread, people started expressing their sexuality more openly
sexual counterrevolution
a call to return to conservative family values
how sex is different for this generation vs the last generation
people are waiting longer to have sex and have less partners
ancient greeks’ views on homosexuality
believed relations between a man and another man were the highest form of a relationship
- rituals in other cultures support the conclusion that sexuality is a social construct
Simon LeVay’s research
- found differences in the size of the hypothalamus in the brains of heterosexual vs homosexual men
- theorized there might be a “gay gene”
what’s the oldest profession in history?
prostitution baby
types of prostution
- escort (companionship and sex from young, attractive, and well educated girls, don’t get to keep a lot of money they earn)
- brothel (less of a choice of clients, get to keep half of money)
- streetwalkers (walk the streets, usually under control of pimps)
negative effects of prostitution
can lead to kidnapping, abuse and violence for women
motives for rape
its more about controlling another person than a need to fulfill a sex drive
theories of sexuality: structural-functional analysis
arises from society’s need to regulate sex
theories of sexuality: symbolic-interaction analysis
sexuality is a social construct that keeps changing
theories of sexuality: social-conflict & feminist analysis
- less women would be involved in prostitution if there were more economic opportunities for them
- men devalue women by objectifying them
- our culture associates sex with violence by using words like slamming or banging as synonyms for having sex