Personal Response on Sexual Identity Essay

However, this has been an awakening although I do possess much about basic knowledge for my age in sexual issues there was still much I did not know (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). I grew up a Christian and certain high values were set my siblings and I, so high that moral values are predictable to assume on the subject of sex. Although I possess a European background my parents are primarily German-American. My siblings and I were with the ideas of spirituality is more important than religious views. However, this does not mean that we did not have set restrictions; never feeling shame or perfect knowledge of sexuality. That is why when wrapping up the last chapter of the text I realized that my sexual decisions were a positive influence and my family as-well-as myself. Prior to taking this course I unknowingly forgot some areas of my sexuality involving myself and my husband. When became married I took for granted our sexual relationship and forgot to nurture it along with our relationship. However, I was reminded that even being in a good relationship changes as-well-as our needs in that relationship. Developing and growing as a couple can avoid problems that can occur over years of neglect. Realizing, through reading the text information, taking care of our sexual needs instead of turning away from them brought both my husband and I closer together and improved our sexual relationship (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Multiple sexual accounts of problems that concern couples were given in the text, which helped to improve upon and apply in my own relationship. One of those examples was Situational Ethics and the philosophy of Joseph Fletcher. This is a theory that I find most agreeable when supporting sexual behavior. The idea of supporting people because we love them or have experienced love for him or her makes sense. So by completing this course it has offered me a new perspective in critical thinking and value system in relation to sexuality. Also the material covered has assisted in becoming more aware in my son’s own sexuality and how to proceed in properly supporting a healthy sexual relationship of his own (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Another important understanding is how the environmental and historical influences have shaped my life and ideas in my sexual experiences. It is my belief that both the environment and history brings important affects in molding our views as individuals on sexual orientation. The historical point of view influences how individual view sexuality, also it includes how he or she was reared by his or her parents. The historical and sexual viewpoints are different from one parent than another because of his or her own rearing. Therefore, certain sexual aspects were more acceptable for me when they were new for my parents to deal with. Case-in-point during my generation being a homosexual has become much more accepted by society than during my parent’s generation, and premarital sex was definitely prohibited. However, as a growing and mature individual I could develop my own ideas through experiences and knowledge, judging for myself what sexual preference I wanted to choose. Also there is the genetic predisposition, which contributes to the outcome and direction in which my sex is determined. So when adding the time, genetic predispositions, social environment, the way my parents reared me, and day-to-day environment influences together an individual will find the formula of a person’s sexual rientation. However, even with all of these pieces coming together to create a person’s sexual orientation none of them completely determine a person’s sexual choice. The determination of my gender identity was preset by my parents giving me the chromosomes XY, gave me an anatomic appearance of a female. Also being reared in a hetero environment had an influence in becoming a female as well. So the relation to the masculinity-femininity continuum is that I posses both traits fem inine and masculine. In some situations I tend to carry myself as a caring and soft-spoken female, is typical for feminine behavior. On the other hand I express more masculine attributes like aggressiveness and self-reliance, which is typical for masculine behavior. Both add in the development in determining and sustaining my gender identity. The biological perspective by the way was inherited from my parents and aided in the development of the characteristics in becoming a woman, gender role of nurturing and caring individual, and maternal tendencies in taking care of my child. Then the psychological perspective according to my mother to which she insists that I was a normal girl with particular behaviors toward feminine toys and clothes. As a final point, the social environment offers an insight into the typical social role of an American woman, which was predetermined at birth by my social surroundings (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Attraction and love, the effects it has on a relationship is phenomenal and with whom the relationship involves can determine its outcome. Case-in-point my husband and I have nurtured and grown as a couple from a relationship to a marriage. Of course there are many aspects of love and attraction in one’s life and I think that the three most important components are Physical attractiveness, Similarity, and Reciprocity. When looking or meeting a perspective partner the first thing, I experience physically attraction, then similarity to make sure we have common interest, then reciprocity because I tend to express myself openly when a person is in agreement with me. Overall I have already experienced these characteristics in relationships for example the relationship I am currently in and any in the future. I think each phase is significant and reflect the process to which my relationships will develop (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Furthermore, sexual dysfunctions are another course subject that I found interesting. Although, it is a delicate matter to most individuals I believe that dysfunctions should be addressed immediately by a doctor. People tend to postpone addressing issues concerning sexual dysfunctions when treated by a doctor it could become more manageable or cured. The reason for the lack of professional help in this area that people experience a feeling of shame, or uneducated in on the issue of sexual dysfunctions, there is however one very interesting sexual disorder I want to address the Orgasmic disorder. A man generally experiences an inability to delay an orgasm, which means he cannot control early ejaculation as for a women she experiences anorgasmia, is the lack of an orgasm even when stimulated. The Orgasmic disorder is a disorder in which being informed as much as possible is necessary to both partners and should my partner or I ever experience this kind of sexual disorder then we can acknowledge the disorder and seek treatment. Should this problem persist then my partner and I shale seek additional medical help in its prevention. However, the textbook offered knowledge in identifying and solving this problem by listing instructions to which a person may stimulate him or her prior to sexual intercourse or masturbation. Of course as men began to age he tends to experience complications from orgasmic disorders and this can lead to problems in a relationship. Moreover, if or when these dysfunctions occur many solutions are available such as talking to a medical doctor and seeking counseling to deal with the emotional stress of this disorder. Dealing with these problems in advance can improve a sexual relationship and offer a chance of a lasting marriage (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). When taking this course I first thought, it was unnecessary because I was confident and knowledgeable about my own sexuality.