The Effect of Environment and
Historical Perspectives on Sexuality
In one’s world, physical and social aspects along with historical
and scientific perspectives might affect life as far as one’s sexual
orientation. Gender identity is one’s conception of oneself as male or female,
and one rarely sees oneself as both or neither. Masculinity-femininity
continuum refers to how masculinity and femininity may be opposite but one may
find oneself somewhere in between depending on certain traits that are associated
to be either female or male. Relationships with others are determined by important
aspects of attraction and are defined by styles of love. Communication requires
skills that can enhance relationships and sexual relations with others (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
Some of these aspects affect one’s view of self, while some of the other
aspects affect life, relationships, and sexual relations with others.
Value Systems
Value systems our one’s sexual standards that may be affected by several
sources, such as parents, peers, religious training, ethnic subcultures, the larger
culture, and one’s appraisal of all these influences (Rathus, Nevid, and
Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Seven value systems exist, which are rationalism,
situational ethics, asceticism, legalism, ethical relativism, hedonism, and
utilitarianism. Before Psychology 265 – Psychology of Human Sexuality, as a
teenager I knew nothing about value systems. Although, I had the influence of
my father guiding me through life and decision making. Therefore, before
Psychology 265, as a teenager, young adult, and adult the value system that I
identified with as far as my sexual decision making was rationalism.
Rationalism is one’s use of reason to determine a course of action toward sexual
decision making (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Therefore, it is the
rationalist’s belief that decisions should be based on intellect and reason
rather than faith or emotions (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
Rationalist
One that is a rationalist will assess all facts in any sexual
situation and weighs any consequences of various courses of action toward
making a decision (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005). One who is a rationalist
shares with the utilitarian, one who believes moral conduct brings about the
greatest good for the greatest number, a belief that reasoning can lead to
ethical behavior, but is not bound to the utilitarian code that makes choices
on the basis of the greatest good for the greatest number (Rathus, Nevid, and
Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
Critical Thinking
To use critical thinking one has to scrutinize definitions of
terms and to evaluate the premises of arguments and their logic (Rathus, Nevid,
and Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Before Psychology 265, in different ages of my life
I used critical thinking in sexual decision making, but as I aged I used
critical thinking more often to the point where I only think critically before
making sexual decisions. Although, I did not know or understand the principles
of critical thinking which are be skeptical, examine definitions of terms,
examine the assumptions or premises of arguments, be cautious in drawing
conclusions from evidence, consider alternative interpretations of research
evidence, consider the kinds of evidence on which conclusions are based, do not
oversimplify, and do not overgeneralize (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus,
2005).
Completing Psychology 265 has not altered my value system related
to sexuality, although, it has defined and reinforced my value system. Now I
know what all my value system entails and how it specifically affects my sexual
decision making. There has possible been a change in the role of critical
thinking in my sexual decision making. Now I know and understand the principles
of critical thinking, therefore I can fully achieve being a critical thinker as
far as my sexual decision making.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation is the directionality of one’s sexual and romantic
interests and erotic attractions toward members of
the same sex, opposite sex, or both sexes (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus,
2005). My sexual orientation is that I am heterosexual. My sexual and romantic
interest and erotic attractions are toward those of the opposite sex. Physically,
I was born with male sex organs and masculine traits, therefore I am a male. Socially,
I am accepted as a male and treated as such, because I display masculine traits
and have lived as a male my entire life. Therefore, socially my sexual
orientation as a heterosexual is socially accepted and is a social norm. Although,
I do not believe physical or social aspects have affected my sexual
orientation. I was born with my sexual orientation. Historical and scientific
perspectives can either provide or reflect positives and negatives on one’s
sexual orientation. I do not believe that historical or scientific perspectives
have affected my sexual orientation. My belief is that historical perspectives
are biased, and they are not-based scientific evidence or logical, but scientific
perspectives provide a better understanding of why I am heterosexual.
Gender Identity
Gender identity is one’s psychological awareness or sense of being
either a female or male, and it is the more important and obvious aspects of
one’s self-concept (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005). At birth my
gender or sex assignment was a reflection of my anatomic sex. I was born male sexually.
My awareness of my anatomic sex occurred near the age of 18 months, and at 36
months I had acquired a stable sense of my gender identity (Rathus, Nevid, and
Fichner-Rathus, 2005). My anatomic sex is that of a male, therefore, that is
what determined why my father raised me as such. Physically my appearance
resembles that of a male, seeing that I have male sex organs and masculine
traits, but I am capable of situational feminine traits. Socially I was viewed
as a male, and accepted and treated as such.
As far as the masculinity-femininity continuum I consider myself
psychologically androgynous. Therefore I do not assume that the more masculine
one is, the less feminine one must be, or the more feminine one is, the less
masculine one must be (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Being psychological
androgyny, I have the ability to fit both the masculine and feminine
gender-role stereotypes, and I am able to exhibit “masculine” assertiveness and
instrumental skills and “feminine” nurturance and cooperation, and I am capable
of meeting the demands of different situations to express my talents and
desires (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
Relationships
In my life, my relationships have been characterized by different
aspects of attraction that help me in choosing a potential mate, and certain
styles of love have defined my relationships and will continue to do so. The
aspects of attraction that have been important to me are physical appearance, intelligence,
and attitude. In choosing a mate I first look at one’s physical appearance,
because I look for certain features and aspects that spark my interest. As far
as intelligence, a potential mate must be intelligent enough to understand
life, succeed in life, and possess enough intelligence to be involved in a compassionate
and empathic relationship. A potential mate’s attitude is a feature that must
be similar or compatible too my attitude for a successful friendship as well as
relationship.
Styles of Love
There are six styles of love, which are romantic love,
game-playing love, friendship, logical love, possessive love, and selfless
love. Of these six styles romantic
love, friendship, and logical love have pervaded my romantic experiences.
Romantic love is characterized by the
combination of passion and intimacy, friendship love is based on liking and
respect rather than sexual desire, and logical love is consider a lover’s
potential in life before committing (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
Communication
Communication is a means for potential and current couples to learn
about each other’s desires and needs, but without communication or effective
communication problems can arise when one misinterprets their partner;
therefore, clear communication can take the guesswork out of relationships,
avert misunderstandings, relieve resentments and frustrations, and increase
sexual and general satisfaction with the relationship (Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus, 2005). In order for couples to communicate
effectively and clearly communication skills are required. These skills include
getting started in communicating, listening to one’s partner, and learning
about one’s partner’s needs, providing information, making requests, delivering
and receiving criticism, and coping with impasses. Without utilizing
communication skills couples can become dissatisfied in their partner and in
their relationship.
Relationships may even
end, but utilizing communication skills can maintain and even enhance relationships.
I now know I must use these skills as well to maintain effective and clear
communication in my future relationships. However, in previous relationships
neither my partner nor me knew of these skills and sometimes failed at
communicating effectively and clearly. I now stand by these communication
skills and will use them effectively.
Conclusion
Sexual identity, sexual
orientation, gender identity, and masculinity-femininity continuum are aspects
that all play key roles in determining who one is and how one perceives oneself,
as well as how others view one. Value systems, critical thinking, important
aspects of attraction, styles of love, and communication affect one’s life and
life with others, potential partners and current partners as far as relationships
and sexual relations.
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