SYG-2010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Heterosexism, Peer Pressure, Heterosexuality
Document Summary
Sex: the biological distinction between females and males: also refers to activity that leads to sexual gratification and possibly reproduction. Divided into two sexes which different reproductive organs (genitals) = primary sex characteristics. Two sexes typically display distinctive physical traits = secondary sex characteristics. Sex is guided by culture attitudes and practices vary from culture to culture. Most important cultural norms guide selection of sexual partners (age, marital status, sex of partner: historical norms in us = adult, male-female married partners, no longer conforms to this model = sex outside wedlock, same-sex relationships. How people think and act regarding sex has changed over course of history. Advances in technology led to more control over reproduction = people given more choices over their sexual practices = increasing sexual freedom. Sexual attitudes evolved throughout the twentieth century. Introduction of the birth control pill = culture became more free/easy about sex.
