Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Gender and Society Lectures1-3
Gender and Society Lectures1-3
SEX.
GENDER
SEXUALITY AS A
SOCIAL REALITY
a. The female external genitalia consists of the following;
Vulva
all the external genital structures take together.
Mons veneris
pads of fatty tissue between pubic bone and skin.
Labia majora
outer lips surrounding all the other structures.
Prepuce
clitoral hood (foreskin above and covering clitoris)
Clitoris
glans (head), shaft (root).
Labia minora
inner lips surrounding the vestibule where sweat and oil glands, extensive blood vessels and
nerve endings are located.
Vestibule
area surrounding the urethral opening and vagina, which is highly sensitive with
extensive blood vessels and nerve endings.
Urethral opening
end of tube connecting to bladder and used for urination.
Vaginal opening
also called introitus.
Perineum
area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus; distance is less in females than males.
b. The female internal reproductive structures consist of the following as described and
shown below:
Vagina
collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening back and upward into body to cervix
and uterus.
Cervix
small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to interior of
uterus.
Uterus
womb, organ within pelvic zone where fetus is carries.
Fallopian tube
carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus, there is where fertilization occurs.
Ovaries
produce estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen influences female sex characteristics
and initiates menstrual cycle. Progesterone aids in regulation of menstrual cycle and
promotes mature development of urine lining to allow for zygote implantation.
Puberty
The menstrual cycle marks the beginning of puberty in females.
Menstruation pertains to the sloughing off of the urine lining if conception has not occurred.
It may last within two to six days which follows a cycle ranging from 24 to 42 days.
Female secondary sexual characteristics emerge after puberty
1. Widening of hips and pelvis
accommodates giving birth, but also results in downward shift in center of gravity.
2. Enlargement of breasts
at puberty, fatty tissues of the breasts develop considerably. Differences in breast size
between women are primarily due to differences in amount of fatty tissue.
More female characteristics;
Generally shorter than men.
Greater proportion of body weight composed of fat than men.
Two X chromosomes reduces expression of many sex-linked conditions.
Lower mortality rate at every age and longer projected lifespan than men.
Male hormones
The testosterone is the major male hormone produced mainly by the testes, but there
are other glands called the adrenal glands that also produce some testosterone.
In case a man has lost his testes, these glands would continue to produce testosterone
to support the male physical appearance.
Testosterone is responsible for the growth and development of a boy during adolescence
and for the development of sperm and secondary sexual characteristics.
Male secondary sexual characteristics that emerge after puberty
No monthly cycle.
Elongation of vocal cords (lower voice).
Broader shoulders.
Deeper chest cavity.
THE
PROCESS
OF
REPRODUCTION
Although human beings are fully sexually differentiated at birth, the differences
between males and females are accentuated at puberty. This is when the reproductive
system matures, secondary sexual characteristics develop and the bodies of males and
females appear more distinctive.
Female puberty usually begins at about 8-13 years of age; the reproduction
maturation of boys lags about two years behind that of girls. The physical changes of
female puberty include breast development, rounding of the hips and buttocks,
growth of the hair in the pubic region and the underarm and start of menstruation.
How does one ovulate?
The major landmark of puberty among females is the onset of menstrual cycle,
the monthly ovulation cycle that leads to menstruation (loss of blood and tissues
lining the uterus) in the absence of pregnancy.
How does pregnancy occur?
For pregnancy to proceed, the sperm needs to meet up with an egg.
Pregnancy officially starts when a fertilized egg implants in the lining of the
uterus.
Pregnancy happens 2-3 weeks after sexual intercourse.
What can be done to prevent teenage pregnancy?
Teen pregnancy has a tremendous impact on the educational, social and
economic lives of young people. Early parenting reduces the likelihood that a
young woman will complete high school and pursue the necessary post-
secondary education needed to compete in today’s economy.
Although there is a decline in teenage pregnancy rate it has been steady over
the past two decades. Teens are still engaging in sexual activity and teen girls are
still getting pregnant.
Equipping the youth with the knowledge, skills and necessary to protect
themselves against unwanted pregnancy and provide them access to
reproductive healthcare are needed.
What are the health effects of early pregnancy in the growing adolescent?
There are serious health risks associated with early pregnancy because young
woman’s body is not mature enough to handle bearing a child. When woman is
under 20, the pelvic area (the bone surrounding the birth canal) is still growing
and may not be large enough to allow the baby to easily pass the birth canal.
This can result in what is called an “obstructed labor”. Obstructed labor is
dangerous to both mother and child and requires the help of trained medical
professionals. Under the best circumstances, the young woman will have an
operation called “caesarean section” in which a cut is made in the abdomen and
the baby is removed directly from the uterus.
In addition, younger women who become pregnant face a higher risk than older
women in developing a number of other complications. These complications can
be any or a combination of the following manifestations:
Excessive vomiting
Severe anemia
Hypertension
Convulsions
Difficulty in breast feeding
Premature and low birth weight babies
Infection
Prolonged labor
High maternal mortality or death
The risk of having serious complications during pregnancy or childbirth is much
higher for girls in their early teens than for older women.
Ages 20-30 years are the safest period of women’s life for child bearing.
It is not surprising, therefore, to find that obstructed labor, due to disproportion
between the size of the infant’s head and the mother’s pelvis, is most common
among very young mothers.
The consequences of such obstructed labor may be death due to numerous
complications.
SEXUAL HEALTH
AND
HYGIENE
Puberty causes all kinds of changes in the adolescent’s body. These bodily
changes are normal part of developing an adult.
There are instances when these changes can be a source of anxiety to the
growing teen.
Does anyone not worry about smelly breath and underarms? This further
personal hygiene and healthy habits being important life skills for the teen.
1.Oily hair
The hormones that create acne are the same ones that can make you feel like
you’re suddenly styling hair with a comb dipped in motor oil.
Each strands of hair has its own sebaceous (oil) gland which keeps the hair shiny
and waterproof.
But during puberty, when the sebaceous glands produce extra oil, it can make
your hair look too shiny, oily and greasy.
2.Sweat and body odor
Perspiration, or sweat, comes from sweat glands that you have always had in
your body.
But thanks to puberty, these glands not only become more active than before, they
also begin to secrete different chemicals into the sweat that has a stronger smelling
odor.
You might notice this odor under your arms in your armpits. Your feet and
genitals might also have new smells.
3.Body hair
Body hair in new places is something you can count on – again, they are
hormones in action. You may want to start shaving some places where body hair
grows, but whether you do is up to you.
Some guys who grow facial hair like to let it develop into a mustache and beard.
Some girls may decide to leave the hair on their legs and under their arms as is.
It is all up to you and what you feel comfortable with. If you decide to shave, whether
you are a guy or girl, you have a few different choices.
4.Healthcare check for the female
The best time for a self-breast exam is about a week after the last day of your
menstrual period, when your breasts are not tender and swollen.
This should be done at the same time each month when you no longer have
your menstrual period.
Keeping the external female genitalia clean:
Use soap and water to wash the external genitalia and your underarms
everyday, especially during menstruation.
Use either a disposable pad made of cotton or a clean piece of cotton cloth to
absorb blood during menstruation.
Properly dispose of the pad after each use, or wash and dry the piece of cloth
used as a menstrual pad before reuse.
Wash only the external genitalia. Do not try to clean the inside part of the
vagina.
While washing, wash starting from the vagina towards the anus. Do not wash
from the anus towards the vagina.
Be aware of abnormal fluids from your vagina. Do not confuse this normal
vagina fluids.
If you see changes in the vaginal fluid – a change in color or odor, please visit a
health professional.
Healthcare check for the male
Keeping the external male genitalia clean:
Wash the external genitalia at least daily with soap and water, as you wash the
rest of the body.
Boys who are not circumcised need to pull back the foreskin and gently wash
underneath it with clean water.
Be aware of any abnormal fluids coming from your penis. Do not confuse this
with the presence of normal fluids.
If you see any abnormal fluid or wound, please visit a health professional.
RISKY BEHAVIORS
OF
ADOLESCENCENTS
Majority of the youth mature successfully through adolescence without
apparent long term problems.
All adolescents should be considered as risk due to prevalence of risk behavior,
the inherent development needs of adolescents and the various risk factors for
their initiation and maintenance.
Risk-taking is a normal part of adolescent development. Risk-taking is defined as
participation in a potentially health-compromising activities with little
understanding of, or in spite of an understanding of, the possible negative
consequences.
Adolescents experiment with new behaviors as they explore their emerging
identity and independence. Health behaviors in adolescence continue into adult
life and will influence health and morbidity throughout life.
During adolescence, young people begin to explore alternative health behaviors
including smoking, drinking alcohol, drug use, sexual intimacy and violence.
The DOH, in its Adolescent and Youth Health Policy (2000), has identified the
following health risks: SUBSTANCE USE, PREMARITAL SEX, EARLY CHILDBEARING,
ABORTION, HIV/AIDS, VIOLENCE, ACCIDENTS, MALNUTRITION AND MENTAL
HEALTH.
Guidance of family is also important as the adolescent develops into a mature
adult. Family Arrangement, based on the 2006 McCann Erickson Study, has
noted that 53% of adolescents live with both parents.
Because of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) phenomenon, 5% live without
the mother, 20% live without the father and 23% live without both parents.
Sex and Media have been identified as key influencers among adolescents
engaging in high-risk behaviors, as shown in studies in NCR and CALABARZON.
Three in five have watched X-rated movies and videos, the fourth highest in the
country.
Three in ten have sent or received sex videos through cell phones or internet,
the second highest in the country. Six in 100 have engaged in phone sex, higher
than the national average.
Identified Sexual Risk that were found among the growing Filipino adolescents
are follows:
One in three has sexual experience
They also engage in sex at younger ages; first sex for boys: 17.6 years old while
first sex for girls: 18.1 years old.
One in 50 had sex before age of 15 while one in four had sex before age of 18.
Seven in 10 of 1st
1.2% have paid for sex and 1.3% have received payment for sex, this is low but
above the national average level; 6.7% have engaged in casual sex; 4.1% mostly
males have fu** buddy (FUBU) experience; 6.3% have males having sex with
males (MSM) experience; 2.9% of married youth (including those in live-in) have
engaged in extramarital sex.
Giving birth at younger ages has also been evident in the Filipino youth. Such
that there is a marked increase in teenage fertility in the past decade, 7.1%
aged15-19 are already mothers.
The proportion of women who begun childbearing increases with age: 2% aged
16, 31.2% aged 19. Teenage fertility is the lowest among all regions of the
country.
premarital sex cases are unprotected against unintended pregnancy and
sexually-transmitted infections (STI)including HIV-AIDS.
While prevalence of sexually transmitted infections like HIV and AIDS are
increasing in the youth, as of 2013, 86.7% have heard of HIV and AIDS with poor
understanding being the highest in the country noting that three in four think
that they would not get AIDS.
Troubles signs Among teens
Sexual behavior
Regular use of drugs and alcohol
Repeated violation of the law or school regulation
Skipping/escaping school more than once in three months
Aggressive outbursts/impulsiveness
Refusal to work/non-compliance
Falling asleep in class
Changes in physical appearance
Excessive daydreaming
Harmful practices
Culture and tradition play a significant role in shaping the way young people
and adolescents behave and lead their lives.
However, young people have become victims of some harmful tradition
practices, which affect their human and reproductive rights.
These practices differ from place to place but primarily affect women.
Common drugs abused by young people and effects:
Marijuana
– is a plant grown and used worldwide.
Effect: It causes increase in heart rate and dilation of certain blood vessels in the
eyes, which creates the characteristics of blood-shot eyes.
2. Alcohol
– is the most common drug and is used worldwide.
Effect: further drinking can cause slurred speech and aggressive behavior that
can lead to fight, rape or other kinds of violence.
3. Cigarettes
– many young people start smoking tobacco products for different reasons
including: influence of friends, seductive advertisements and older role
models like siblings’ or celebrities, to mention a few.
Effect: tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world – WHO (2006)
4. Inhalants and solvents
– these are chemicals that can be inhaled, such as glue, gasoline, aerosol
sprays, lighter fluid, etc. These are not drugs as such and are in fact, legally
available from large number of shops.
Effect: it may give the user a “high” for a very brief of time. They make him/her feel numb
for a short period of time, dizzy, confused and drowsy.