2. What influences our Attitudes Toward Sex? Culture The Mass Media TV (16 and Pregnant, Bachelor) Music (Lady Gaga & Keshavs. Marvin Gaye & Al Green) Print (Playboy vs. Cosmo) Parents Peers Past Relationships Who has the most Influence?
3. Three General Orientations toward Sex Procreational: sex is for making babies Recreational: sex is for fun Relational: sex is an expression of intimacy What orientation is most accepted in the US?
4. Changing Attitudes about Sex How have attitudes toward sex changed over the years? Why do you think this is? Is this good or bad?
5. Sorensen’s research Serial monogamists who had sex prior to marriage vs. Virgins waiting for marriage & sexually promiscuous. Monogomists healthier attitudes toward sex, higher grades, generally better adjusted. Why do you think this is? The study was done in 1973, how might things have changed since then?
6. Safe Sex vs. Abstinence? Why do you think this debate is still prevalent in our society? Two sides, two different assumptions Sexuality is something learned. “We don’t want our kids to have unsafe sex or engage in sex without understanding the consequences.” Sexuality is connected to morality. “By teaching safe sex, we are essentially telling our kids it is ok to do it as long as its safe.”
10. The Talk When is the best time? Are there consequences for starting the talks too young? What should be said? Kids 3-8? Body parts, Privacy 8-12? Biological stuff 12 and up? Emotional and Relational Consequences
11. Sexual Invitations and Coercion Why do men typically initiate sex in early relationships? What is date rape? The rape paradox~ If you come out Victimized If you stay quiet Silenced Both cases, Power is removed… What do you think are some of the causes of date rape?
13. Sexual Harassment One out of every two working women is sexually harassed at some time. Women sometimes see behavior as more sexually harassing than men do. Various verbal and nonverbal behaviors can be interpreted as harassing, including: comments about a person’s body, dating relationships, or sexual activity touch, especially to vulnerable or intimate body parts
14. Responses to Sexual Harassment Passive: indirect strategies, such as ignoring the harassment or appeasing the harasser Assertive: directly telling the harasser to stop the behavior; issuing warnings or threats Retalitory: punishing or getting revenge on the harasser
15. Based on what you learned in this chapter, what strategies would you use to protect yourself from sexual coercion or harassment? Why do you think people misinterpret supposed sexual cues so often?
