Social Aspects of Sexuality, Gender and Young People Flashcards
What is sex
Biological and physiological attributes (male/ female)
What is gender
Behaviours, roles, expectations, activities (masculine/ feminine)
What is sexuality
A person’s sexual orientation or preference, sexual activity and capacity for sexual feelings
Describe how sexuality is not fixed and is diverse
Not fixed- it differs across time and in different cultures/ communities. In reality lives and people are diverse- important not to reinforce the importance of ‘normal’ sexuality when dealing with patients
According to Shoveller, what do men associate with STI clinics
Testing both a potentially sexualised (e.g. fear of errection) and a process where young men experience multiple vulnerabilities associated with exposing the male body in clinical service sites
What is the impact of domestic abuse on young people
Increased risk of emotional, physical and sexual abuse, developing emotional and behavioural problems, presence of other adversities in their lives. Negatively affects a young person’s social skills. Could lead to risky sexual behaviour. Perpetuation of abuse and vicitimisation. More likely to live with abuse later in life.
Protecting factors that can mitigate against young people who have experienced domestic abuse being more likely to live with abuse later in life
Relationship with a caring adult usually the mother. Services are also available
When are young women more likely to become pregnant
If in: care or homeless, underachieving at school, child of teenage parents, involved in crime and/or living in areas with high social deprivation
What is the relationship between emergency contraception and friendnship
Friends help out and this allows a young person to shift the perceived label of promiscuous risk-taker to that of informal advisory and supporter. Friends instrumental in successful negotiation of the powerful discourse of risk and responsibility
How does the interpersonal nature of sexual relationships influence condom use
Heterosexual men and women enter into sexual relations with dislike of condoms and perception of condom sex as ‘other sex’. Gender constructions of socially ‘appropriate’ sexual behaviour for men and women are implicated in the decision to use condoms
Explain how young women can disrupt and be critical of ‘masculine’ discourses around sexuality but also sustain it
Looking after a man’s libido refers to a woman’s emphasised femininity- male preferences for unprotected sex and resistance to testing is accommodated. Conventional heterosexual gender relations continue to direct many young people’s expectations around mens’ sexual health and STI testing
Describe young people and gendered power imabalances in heterosexual relationships
Pervasive double standard (men as sexually aggressive, young women should resist sexual advances). Also alternative behaviours- young women were often very active participants in sexual negotiations, could refuse condom use and sometimes pressured their male partners not to use condoms. Young men also described the object of being coerced sex were not always receptive to sex. More complex attitudes than in popular accounts
What factors play a role in young men not talking to peers about sexual health
Masculine hierarchies (prevent them from challenging discourses about sexual health). “Guy talk” and “manning up”- power relations
Who are at more risk of violence and bullying
More vulnerable social groups
Describe the issues of young people and sexting
Girls most adversely affected, amplifies the objectification of girls. Reveals wider sexual pressures, ever-younger children affected. More important support and resources are vital to redress the gendered sexual pressures on young people- and it is important not to place blame entirely on young people or to shame them
