Abstract This paper looks at how therapists who counselhumansexuality feel that the process involves a complex processing that involves the patient's interaction of biological, psychological and spiritual scope. These developments of one's sexuality seem to be forever expanding and intensifying. Specifically, and within a spiritual content, the paper discusses how authors Dr. and Mrs. Penner in "Counseling for Sexual Disorders (Resources for Christian Counseling)" explore sexual dysfunctions through counseling with regards to therapy. It discusses how the three key points explained that seem crucial are inability of arousal, surviving sexual abuse, and the Christian view on sex.
From the Paper "Although people may think that female sexual dysfunction stems from psychological reasons, there may be problems physically in terms of the female vagina. Or, sexual dysfunction can result from urinary issues, past sexual abuse, or something that may be chemically unbalanced. After the initial physical testing, say from the gynecologist, urologist and Internist, and there is nothing wrong in terms of sexual dysfunction, the next step is definitely counseling. However, some women feel embarrassed to seek counseling in this field and either blame themselves, blame their spouse, and/or blame their past relationship. Many women are informed to use various creams and ointment for pleasure however they return because the husband doesn't enjoy the feeling. Increasingly, women are being referred to counselors specializing in sexual disorders. "
Abstract This paper presents an examination of a scholarly article about one aspect of humansexuality. It specifically explores an article called "Typing, Doing, and Being: Sexuality and the Internet" written by Michael Ross, which discusses humansexuality and the Internet. The paper contains a copy of the article at the end of the paper.
Table of Contents:
The Article
The Facts Used
Reflection
From the Paper "The Internet provides the forum for one person to have several different sexual personas with different ages, genders, preferences and desires."
"This has held true through other readings I have done in the past. In fact, news shows are constantly broadcasting the fact that people use the internet to pretend to be something other than what they are. An extreme example is that show that sets people up with a decoy and they believe they are coming to meet a 12-year-old girl and the cameras are waiting when they arrive."
"Outside of such illegal and immoral behaviors articles have supported the idea that the Internet is an alluring sex arena because it allows participants to "try on" various personas and act out their sexual fantasies while remaining safely hidden behind invented names, genders and pictures."
Summary and discussion of an article by D. Dyrne and M. Hogben on humansexuality, "Using Social Learning Theory to Explain Individual Differences in HumanSexuality".
Abstract This paper discusses an article about humansexuality that emphasizes an approach to studying the concept of humansexuality and humansexual behavior from the perspective of the social learning theory. The paper also explains and analyzes how the theory is applied to the study of humansexuality and behavior and examines contemporary research that supports this approach.
From the Paper "Dyrne & Hogben (1999) in their work "Using Social Learning Theory to Explain Individual Differences in Human Sexuality" approach the concept of human sexuality and human sexual behavior from a social learning theory approach. This article is of interest because it presents a new model for exploring human sexuality and the reasons that humans act in a particular manner with regard to sexual behavior." The article analyzed is appended to the paper.
Abstract In this paper, the writer notes that in recent times, there has been a tremendous amount of discussion about Christianity and its approach to humansexuality. The writer points out that depending on the commentator, the Church's position on sexuality is empowering, negative, supportive, or neutral. In addition, the writer discusses that some suggest that it is impossible to describe one Christian view about sexuality because of the various positions that differing Christians have taken regarding the relationship between one's sexuality and one's spirituality. However, such an answer belies the fact that, until recently, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and all of the mainstream Protestant denominations took a negative view of humansexuality except for the purposes of procreation. The writer concludes that one must assume that the Christian view of sexuality will continue to evolve, as science and society gain a greater understanding of humansexuality.
From the Paper "It is important to recognize that there is not one version of Christianity. Orthodox Christians and Catholics have a similar approach to the church, and their religions are shaped and formed by much outside of Scripture. In fact, with Catholicism, given that the Pope is considered to be the voice of God, some extra-scriptural things are given more weight than the words in the actual scripture. This attitude has allowed for the development of a religion that expands upon, explains, and even contradicts, the teachings in the Bible. Protestantism, as the name implies, began as a reaction to the Catholic Church's deviations from scripture, and has been characterized by faithfulness to the literal interpretation of the Bible. The problem with the Protestant approach is that the Bible relays information about events, which has been perverted by people into an endorsement of those events and behaviors. In fact, Biblical literalism may have damaged the Church, especially in gender and race relations. Anti-Semitism, slavery, homophobia, and sexism have all been explained away and even justified by the use or misuse of Scripture."
Abstract This paper explains that the social learning approach suggests that humansexuality should be examined more from a cognitive than a biological perspective. Even though sexuality is a complex issue, the author points out that this theory indicates that individuals are entirely in charge of their decisions and roles with regard to sexuality. The paper concludes that this multi-disciplinary approach opens new ways of exploring human behavior and sexual impulses and for treating problems associated with humansexuality.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Analysis of HumanSexuality from the Social Learning Approach
Support for Social Learning Theory
Analysis of Article and Theory
From the Paper "The hypothesis and case for social learning theory presented by Dyrne & Hogben is backed by scientific theory and the works of early researchers that examined social learning theory with regard to human behavior in general. However, the authors do fail to explore social learning theory with regard to actual cultures and patterns of human sexual behavior.
"However, this gap in research is actually filled by other researchers that have explored the social learning perspective."
Tags: biological model rewards, operant conditioning, cultures
Abstract This paper examines the book, ?HumanSexuality and its Problems?, by John Bancroft and looks at how the author sought to accomplish two purposes. It explores how the book was intended to aid health professionals working with sexual problems and how the "wider purpose" of the book, however, was to help readers understand how a variety of factors and human interactions actually affect humansexuality. It shows how Bancroft argues that understanding humansexuality is contingent upon the ability of people to grasp the complex relationship between mind and body interaction.
From the Paper "Interestingly, Bancroft also delves into the realm of medical practice as related to Human Sexuality. He breaks the notion of Human Sexuality down into a scientific experiment of sorts, describing both the direct physical and indirect psychological effect of human sexuality. Related to the direct physical effects of human sexuality, Bancroft discusses genital and vascular responses, and potential "side effects" of sexuality including pain, general malaise, fatigue and lack of desire. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Bancroft describes psychological effects often associated with Human Sexuality, including effects on the individual and the effects of an individual in a relationship."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that the study of humansexuality and gender roles is a discipline complicated by a vast range of biases and prejudices. The writer notes that it may be arguable, with some justification, that it is impossible to approach this study from an unbiased perspective given our common humanity that the degree to which each of us is implicated in social relationships and influenced by our hormonal and physiological conditions. Within this context, this essay explores the questions of how sexuality and gender roles are constructed and the issues associated with medical interventions with regard to determining sexuality and gender roles. This essay argues the thesis that while sex is generally biologically determined, sexual orientation and gender roles are often - though not necessarily exclusively - socially constructed. Given this perspective, it is argued that medical interventions in these areas become highly problematic given the likelihood that they will be based upon not necessarily the patient's best interests, but the social preoccupations and biases of the medical intervenor.
From the Paper "Thus, the numbers of truly inter-sexed infants may be assumed to be so small as to be statistically insignificant. While Kessler argues convincingly that physicians' socially constructed biases with respect to sexual orientation influence their interventions in inter-sexed infants, the fact remains that the numbers of such cases are so small as to not affect the overall conclusion that humanity is - in the vast majority - determined biologically by sex into male and female."
"Beyond this, however, evidence suggests that sexual orientation and gender roles may be significantly influenced by social construction to the point that the latter may often be the dominant factor in determining these roles."
This paper explores humansexuality being the subject of disciplinary action as a means of molding the individual to the norms, ethics, and values of society.
Abstract Through the examination of Michel Focault's works, "Discipline and Punish" this author first examines the efficacy of varying modes of disciplinary action, from brutal torture as a means of punishment, to constant surveillance, used as a more dissuasive device. The author discusses how different institutions over the years have acquired and maintained power. Finally the author explores Focault's "The History of Sexuality" and discusses the nature of humansexuality, ultimately propounding the argument that humansexuality has evolved into a tool that power-wielding institutions use to dictate how we live. Evidence of sexuality as a disciplinary instrument includes church confessionals, lecturing children on the dangers of masturbation, the implementation of one-child policies in overpopulated countries, and "family planning."
From the Paper "If sexuality is ultimately, a tool how then did it develop into this and what is its purpose? Current definitions of sexuality refer to either the sexual act itself, coitus, or referring to the gender differences of man and woman. However, this does not give the complete picture for sexuality as a tool. It is more interesting to note that, as Foucault claims, sexuality was invented; it is a "concept designed to give order, unity, and the status of natural inevitability to a bundle of discourses and administrative policies." What was the history of sex then? How did it emerge? If we take a step back in Western history we would remember the middle ages as being characterized by a single powerful institution, the Church and inside this institution developed one "main ritual we rely on for the production of truth: the confession."
Abstract This paper briefly reviews how human desire and sexuality can become the victims of racism. Particularly, the paper examines two articles which underscore how the sexual urges of white men vis-a-vis black women were valorized and legitimated even when that meant rape, at the same time as the sexuality of black men, especially as it pertained to white women, was de-legitimized.
From the Paper "Human Sexuality and Racism: A Discussion of Two Articles There is little doubt that human sexuality and desire can function as a form of racism. That being said, racist desire and racist assumptions about sexuality can still be combated by vigilant citizens. The following paper will review the work of Lewis R. Gordon and Siobhan Somerville with an eye towards examining how human sexuality functions as racism (on occasion) and also how people can fight against racism when it appears in such instances."
Abstract This essay briefly reviews three articles that discuss humansexuality and how the Church treats it. It looks at "Intimacy and Sexuality: A Letter to Catholic Secondary Students in Ontario" by the Roman Catholic Bishops of Ontario, Kenneth R. Overberg's article, "A Consistent Ethic of Life" and "Fully Alive," sponsored and developed by the Roman Catholic Bishops of Ontario and Ontario's Catholic educators. The paper then gives a personal response to the article "HumanSexuality: 'Wonderful Gift' and 'Awesome Responsibility,'" written by Richard Sparks.
From the Paper "On the other hand, there are aspects of this article that seem dangerously out of step with modern realities. For example, it again reiterates the prohibition against contraceptive devices of any kind. Yet the reality is that the population of the entire world is threatened by the AIDS pandemic, and that condoms are the most effective prophylactic against contracting AIDS. For example, one of the fastest growing segments of AIDS sufferers is heterosexual women. Moreover, it is well known that many wives are completely faithful, but are infected by their unfaithful husbands, who have affairs or use prostitutes. By continuing to prohibit condoms, the Church sentences these innocent women to lingering, painful deaths - and deprives their children of their mothers. I find this unconscionable, obtuse, unbelievable and unforgivable."
Abstract This paper takes a look at counseling gays and lesbians. It looks at this group from a cultural standpoint, going through the history of the culture and the discrimination it has faced, as well as the continuing discrimination it experiences. It looks at how counselors can be more sensitive to the issues that face gays and lesbians who seek counseling. Some of these issues include how family dynamics affect the counseling relationship, sexually transmitted diseases, and how the discrimination against this population can affect the client. This paper also looks at the steps counselors can take to become more aware of this population and how they can increase their multicultural awareness towards this group, all in the hopes of providing the best client-therapist relationship possible.
From the Paper "Attitudes toward homosexuality are complex and multifaceted (Davies, 2004). Many people have mixed feelings about gays, lesbians and bisexuals. There is a lot of controversy over what causes people to prefer one sexual orientation over another. Some professionals believe it is organic, while others think it is a learned behavior. Many factors also contribute to the treatment of gays, lesbians and bisexual (LGB) clients. To understand many of these issues the history of the population, discrimination factors, and current problems facing this group need to be looked at."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that sex education became a traditional part of the middle school and high school curriculum in the middle of the 20th century. The writer points out that in the last 50 years, social attitudes and American cultural beliefs about humansexuality have changed significantly but, for the most part, sexual education has not evolved simultaneously, except perhaps in the modernization of the actual materials and literature used to present the substantive information. The writer maintains that what is required is a more comprehensive approach that reflects the realities of all the fundamental issues that arise in connection with humansexuality and behavioral choices associated with it. The writer concludes that a comprehensive sexual education program could radically transform sexual education in American education from a meaningless exercise in student embarrassment and an ineffective presentation of certain useful reproductive health and medical information into a beneficial mechanism for changing specific illogical beliefs and cultural values that undermine human happiness.
Outline:
Introduction
The Insufficiencies of Traditional Sexual Education
Outlining Comprehensive Sexual Education
Teaching Sexual Ethics
Conclusion
From the Paper "By initiating Sex Ed in middle school, educators have the opportunity to address common cultural attitudes and beliefs about sexuality in principle, thereby providing alternatives to various elements of typical approaches to sexual gratification including objective ethical values, sexism, bigotry, homophobia, safer sex practices, and unplanned pregnancy. Comprehensive Sex Ed would likely require no additional funds or resources except to the extent it requires changing the way educators are trained and replacing old literature with updated teaching texts. The non-printed materials already used in connection with traditional Sex Ed programs is still sufficient for that portion of a comprehensive educational program appropriately devoted to human anatomy and biological reproduction."
Abstract "Masters' and Johnson's HumanSexual Inadequacy is a cumulative descriptive account of the operation of the clinic for the treatment of humansexual dysfunction at the Washington University School of Medicine since 1959 and its continuation at the Reproductive Biology Research Foundation after 1964
From the Paper "Masters' and Johnson's Human Sexual Inadequacy is a cumulative descriptive account of the operation of the clinic for the treatment of human sexual dysfunction at the Washington University School of Medicine since 1959 and its continuation at the Reproductive Biology Research Foundation after 1964. The authors report in detail on the development of their therapeutic format and then discuss the evolution of therapeutic approaches to a dozen of the major types of sexual dysfunction presented by patients. Both parts of the book are written in a direct, clinical--but forcefully clear--manner that is free of therapeutic jargon. This makes the volume as much an invaluable handbook as an introductory text. It is also, however, an important historical document since it is a record of the emergence of the original, and the most influential, model for ..."
Abstract Masters' and Johnson's HumanSexual Response is a report on the authors' long-term study of the anatomy and physiology of humansexual response conducted during the years 1954-66. The authors' preface briefly addresses the climate of fear and suspicion that had surrounded all previous attempts at such investigation and deplores the lack of a supportive response from the biological or psychological science communities for projects of this type.
From the Paper "Masters' and Johnson's Human Sexual Response is a report on the authors' long-term study of the anatomy and physiology of human sexual response conducted during the years 1954-66. The authors' preface briefly addresses the climate of fear and suspicion that had surrounded all previous attempts at such investigation and deplores the lack of a supportive response from the biological or psychological science communities for projects of this type. Their study, limited in this volume to the clinical examination of the nature of sexual response, is presented as "a first step toward an open-door policy" and future research based in "investigative objectivity" (vii). It follows from the initial investigations of sexual behavior conducted by Kinsey from 1938 to 1952 which, as the authors note, did include questions of physiology and anatomy. In order to achieve ..."
Abstract This paper explains that, having been used as a means of control, a form of art or science and as a means of demonstrating a statement of right, such as the Flappers of the 1920's,, sexuality has had a significant role in human history. The author points out that one of the oldest forms of religious worship may have been the Phallic Cult-Object; in many of the ancient cultures irrespective of their location, sex was very often a focal point in activities as presented in epic narratives. The paper relates that a careful study of medieval history shows that the feudal society, especially under the control of the Albigensian heretics during the eleventh to thirteenth centuries, was barbarian and quite chaotic, full of murder, rape, massacre and cruelty; knights in shining armor were simply thugs and rapists with the sexual aim of trying to sleep with a married woman by seducing her.
From the Paper "The problem with this was that in the event of a rape it was also believed that a woman could not fall pregnant unless she had been a willing partner to the act. Till now, all that has been studied is still not conclusive evidence of any side of the consideration. The Church would have played a role in prevent sexual pleasures to women and the theory on conception would have provided the support to sexual pleasure. Looking ahead at what Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" tells us may give us a better opportunity to confirm whether women did enjoy sex in the Middle Ages or not, though the literary source is that of a man as was the case in those days. The "Wife of Bath" turns out to be an earthy and sensual woman, who wanted that sexual pleasures be a part of her marriages. Many of the tales in the book do give a clear picture of sexual adventures and with both the men and women having a good time."
