Summary
In the past centuries, many societies have adopted the notion that an individual is either a man or woman in regard to their physical attributes. This idea has conflated gender and sex, which are two different terms. Gender refers to a set of norms and expectations based on how men and women, girls and boys, should behave. On the other hand, sex refers to the biological attributes which define a man or woman. Gender roles and expectations are not fixed but constructed through political, economic, and social relationships (Ha.Jin-Young, 2018). However, gender is related to sexuality in various ways and thought to be of the same category. This essay aims to discuss gender and sexuality, their roles and expectations, their relation to each other, and how the two are perceived in modern society.
The current contemporary societies have established various behaviors eater right or wrong, that men and women are expected to behave. This notion is mapped into right and wrong sexual behaviors, practices, and beliefs. Therefore, there are various ways used to explore sexuality and gender in society. Sexuality is believed to be influenced by gender norms, including the ideologies that encompass sexuality control to women into various behaviors and gender norms (Ha.Jin-Young, 2018). These two aspects are correlated to sexuality may affect one’s health and contact with certain essential services.
How Current Event Relates to the Readings
Gender norms influence sexuality between a man and a woman. The social expectations linked to gender influence male and female behaviors regarding their attitudes, feelings, and sexual conduct. Based on their biological differences, these two genders behave differently in society. There are basic assumptions used in programming and development policy indicating that gender is connected to sex biologically and that beneficiaries are heterosexual based on their development interventions (Ha.Jin-Young, 2018). Also, sexual ideologies portray that the female gender is most vulnerable to sexuality and requires protection from men’s sexual desires.
Thus, parents strive to secure a girl’s virginity till marriage to maintain social status for their child. Sexuality is therefore used to control women who stay away from feminist norms. Furthermore, sexuality-related to gender norms can also expose men and women to health effects. It may be difficult for women to engage in safe sex; thus, they are expected to maintain silence regarding sexual issues (Lindqvist et al., 2020). In this respect, the link between gender and sexuality is vital as it helps both men and women observe their health status and understand their sexual behaviors and how to control them.
As learnt from the class lectures, the male gender is more likely to initiate sexual activity than females. Biologically, men influence women to engage in sexual activities. It is this reason that makes women most vulnerable to men’s advanced sexual behaviors. Most women engage in sex unplanned or without their conscience. Ideologies involving sexuality, therefore, work to ensure that the sexual influences men to control women (Lindqvist et al., 2020). The male tends to involve themselves in casual sex, often without careful considerations. In the current contemporary society, parents fear that their daughters may be involved in sexual behaviors in school due to influences from the boys. Various organization have emerged, mobilizing for gender equality between both men and women.
However, women mobilizing for this act are denied their political powers and accused of being lesbians. They are denied their rights to express ideas and concern towards the issue of sexuality between both genders. Basically, women possess affection towards people of the same or opposite sex, and this is assumed to be the leading cause of sexual activities in women, thus, they engage in both homosexual and heterosexual activities. While men are mostly attracted to sexual activities, women are fascinated by fondness towards someone (Lindqvist et al., 2020). This, however, leads to females engaging in sexual activities to satisfy a men’s needs. In many events, women are punished ruthlessly through sexual assault compared to men, who are rather chastised differently. Therefore, womenfolk ought to control themselves from sexual engagements due to their vulnerability to secure their dignities.
Besides, the physical characteristics of the female gender may cause attraction in their male counterparts. Men are attracted to women with good physical attributes like smooth skin and body shape. They are driven mainly by appearance regardless of their culture or teachings acquired. Also, women mostly prefer men with the perfect qualities they desire, and they may like healthy, mature and affluent men. They are glad when they find a man who can provide protection and support continuously (Lindqvist et al., 2020). However, many do not always consider healthy sexual activities when choosing a lover. It is often believed that gender applies only to girls and women, and a man’s condition and access to certain services can be greatly exaggerated by the prospects connected to his masculinity.
In several places, men are anticipated to know more about sexual education and have awareness before engaging in sexual activities. These expectations often discourage men from learning about practicing safe sex. Therefore, they become vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections and may cause an unexpected risk to women (Lindqvist et al., 2020). In this regard, it is vital to consider learning more about sexual education rather than preferring the physical attributes of a person of the opposite gender to reduce the potential risks involved.
Moreover, gender is related to sexuality through health risks and lack of access to various basic facilities. In many cultures, women are anticipated to remain quiet about issues connected to sexuality. This poses health risks as they do not learn more about sex education to adopt the best ways of ensuring safe sex. Even if informed, women find it challenging to engage in safe sex in their relationships. The norms encourage many women to remain virgin till marriage, and this might also cause a problem. Studies conducted have indicated that the norms hinder women from accessing proper treatment and checkups against sexually transmitted diseases (Ha.Jin-Young, 2018). They are afraid of accessing health care due to the stigma within the healthcare centers.
Moreover, engagements in heterosexual relationships by women drive women to enter into sexual relationships where they possess less power than their partners. Therefore, they cannot set the various terms and conditions of their sexual relationships with their partners. These hindrances of a woman accessing the healthcare centers for sexual treatments lead to transmission of diseases like HIV, where they end up suffering (Lindqvist et al., 2020). Therefore, both men and women need to engage in sexual education despite the cultures and economic power that hinder them.
Psychology About Gender Difference and Sexuality
Some views explain the sexual orientations of both men and women psychologically. They indicate that men are interested in engaging in sexual activities more than women. Through a man, a woman conceives and cares for the infant. Therefore, she settles to take care of the child to ensure good health and protection. On the other hand, men feel that they possess the freedom to engage with other women sexually and, and therefore, they depict to pass their sexual activities widely (Ha.Jin-Young, 2018). A woman prefers choosing wisely the right partner to engage in a sexual relationship.
Regardless of their gender, people in the society should not be influenced by their biological characteristics. Their sexual consent is different, and therefore they ought to engage in sexual educations to solve norms that affect them. Critically, sex and gender are all essential attributes of one’s identity. However, they should not be used to describe a person’s sexual orientation. Everyone has different sexual attraction towards people. They vary from one person to another regardless of gender. Culture has influenced many people to view sexual activities based on their gender. This mainly affects the girls in society and instils fear in them (Lindqvist et al., 2020). They are denied the rights to engage in sexual education to learn more about safety during sexual activities. Since cultures change over time and introduce different norms, they should not be relied upon based on people’s gender and sexual orientations.
In conclusion, it is surprising how many people know about sexual practices concerning their gender. Historically, many people believed that sexual activities rotate around physical, moral and psychological boundaries. Sexual fantasies vary significantly according to an individual’s behaviors. Gender differences are highly pervasive and affect the feelings and thought, and behavior of a person. They not only characterize heterosexuals but also lead to the emergence of many gays and lesbians around the globe. Therefore, sexual educations through open discussions about sexual practices will help people understand themselves better and the world surrounding them.
Reference
Ha.Jin-Young. (2018). Gender differences in moral identity. Journal of Ethics, 1(122), 71-89. Web.
Lindqvist, A., Sendén, M., & Renström, E. (2020). What is gender, anyway: A review of the options for operationalizing gender. Psychology & Sexuality, 1-13. Web.