Intimate Relationships and Sexuality

1. Intimate Relationships and Sexuality

2. Chapter 4Intimate Relationships and Sexuality Learning Outcomes • Describe the formation of intimate relationships • Discuss contemporary lifestyles, from being single to cohabitation to marriage and parenting • Discuss factors in unhealthy relationships • Describe female and male sexual anatomy and related health issues • Discuss sexual orientation • Discuss different types of sexual behaviors • Discuss sexual dysfunctions and sex therapy

3. Intimate Relationship Formation • Typically begin with feelings of attraction (finding one another appealing or enticing) • Physical appearance is the key factor in determining initial attraction • Attraction-similarity hypothesis: tendency for people to develop romantic relationships with those who are similar to themselves in physical attractiveness

4. Intimacy • Involves a sense of trust, caring, acceptance, and willingness to share innermost thoughts and feelings with a partner • Not necessary to be sexually intimate to have an emotionally intimate relationship • Factors that build intimacy • Knowing and liking yourself • Self-disclosure: You tell me and I’ll tell you… carefully • Trust and Caring • Honesty • Commitment

5. Love • Robert Sternberg: Love has three components • Intimacy Feelings of closeness ; sharing innermost feelings • Passion Intense romantic or sexual desire • Commitment The commitment to maintain the relationship through good times and bad • Consummate love A complete love consisting of all three components

6. Love

7. Contemporary Lifestyles Singlehood Most common lifestyle among people in their 20s Postponing marriage due to educational/career goals Most, not all, singles are sexually active, many practice serial monogamy; some have “friends with benefits” Cohabitation Living together as though married but without legal sanction Many reasons for cohabitation

8. Marriage • Most common adult lifestyle in the United States • Meets various psychological and cultural needs • Legitimizing sexual relationships • Proving a social structure in which children can be supported and reared • Permits orderly transmission of wealth from one family to another and one generation to another • Homogamy • Practice of marrying people who are similar in social background and standing • Young adults similar to their chosen mates in race, age, height, weight, personality traits, intelligence, alcohol and tobacco use

9. Parenthood • People delaying parenthood, couples choosing to have children for reasons of personal happiness or fulfillment, not out of a sense of obligation • Single Parenthood • More than 1 in 4 children are being raised by a single parent. • 5 out of 6 single parents are mothers • Nearly half are separated or divorced, and 1/3 have never married • Single parents usually survive on one income

10. Factors in Unhealthy Relationships Jealousy One of most commonly mentioned reasons for relationships failing Other factors include: Failure to share power Failure to provide emotional support, Reluctance to discuss innermost feelings Lack of satisfaction

11. Divorce • 40-50% of American marriages end in divorce • Often associated with financial difficulties and health problems such as anxiety, depression, physical ailments • Most divorced persons remarry • Children of Divorce health related problems of their own

12. Female Sexual AnatomyExternal Organs • Vulva • Collective term for external female genitalia • Mons Veneris • Labia Majora • Labia Minora • Clitoris • Urethral Opening • Hymen • Vaginal Opening • Perineum • Anus

13. Female Sexual AnatomyInternal Organs • Vagina • Cervix • Uterus • Fallopian Tubes • Ovaries

14. Health Issues • Proximity of urinary opening to the vaginal opening (introitus) increases risk of infections • Endometrium – inner lining of the uterus. If endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus – endometriosis – can cause pain and if left untreated can lead to infertility • Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) – 2nd most common surgery performed in the U.S.

15. The Menstrual Cycle Four cycles ending with menstruation – the shedding of the endometrium when the egg goes unfertilized

16. Menstrual Related Conditions • Amenorrhea: absence of menstruation • Sign of infertility • Various causes • Menstrual Discomfort • Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) A combination of physical and psychological symptoms that afflicts many women during 4-6 day interval prior their menstruation • Menopause: cessation of menstruation • Perimenopause • Climacteric

17. Male Sexual Anatomy • External Organs: penis and scrotum • Internal Organs: testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate gland, ejaculatory duct, seminal vesicle

18. Sexual Response • Four phases • Excitement • Plateau • Orgasmic • Resolution • Refractory Period (men)

19. Sexual Orientation Directionality of one’s sexual or erotic interests • Heterosexual: opposite sex • Homosexual: same sex • Bisexual: both sexes Origins unclear: not a single factor – interaction of genetic, hormonal factors, and environmental influences

20. Varieties of Sexual Expression • Masturbation • Kissing • Touching • Oral Sex (fellatio, cunnilingus) • Sexual Intercourse • Anal Sex • Celibacy

21. Sexual Dysfunction Problems with sexual interest, arousal, or response • Sexual desire disorders • Sexual arousal disorders • Orgasmic disorders • Sexual pain disorders • Caused by biological , psychosocial factors, or combination of both • Sex therapy has two main goals • Reducing performance anxiety • Fostering sexual skills or competencies