Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology
City of Naga
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
MODULE PART 2: UNPACKING THE SELF
Unit 1: PHYSICAL SELF: THE BEAUTIFUL ME
From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup, i. e, sex
chromosomes. It also influences the way we treat ourselves and others. On
the contrary, there are individuals who DO NOT ACCEPT their INNATE
SEXUAL characteristics and they actually tend to change their sexual organs
through medications and surgery. In addition, external environment helps
shapes us. In this lesson, we are going to explore the development of our
sexual characteristics and behavior.
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
1. Determine the condition of your physical self
2. Classify the physiological needs of the self in each stage of life
3. Identify the forces and institutions that impact the development of
the various aspects of identity and the self
4. Explain the importance of a good health
LESSON PROPER
Marieb, E.N. (2001) explains that the gonads begin to form until about
the eight week of embryonic development. The embryonic structures of
males and females during the early stages of human development are alike
and are said to be in indifferent
stage. When the reproductive structures are formed development of the
accessory structures and external genitalia begins. [See the miracles of life - video
clip]
Beginning of life
Life begins at fertilization. It refers to the meeting of the female sex cell
and the male sex cell. These sex cells are developed in the reproductive
organs called GONADS. The male sex cell called spermatozoa [sing. –zoon]
are produced in the male gonads called testes. On the other hand, the female
sex cells called ova are produced in the female gonads known ovaries. The
fertilized egg cell known as zygote contains all the hereditary potentials from
the parents. This zygote goes to the uterus and continues to grow during the
gestation period of about 280 days or 36 weeks or 9 calendar months.
Both male and female chromosomes contain several thousands of
genes – called deoxyribonucleic acid which is the code of heredity.
Maturation is the unfolding of the inherent traits.
Human Development
The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence
of testosterone (A substance called hormone that occurs naturally in men
and male animals). The embryonic testes release testosterone once formed
and the formation of the duct system and external genitalia follows. The
same with female embryos that form ovaries, it will cause the development
of the female ducts and external genitalia since testosterone hormone is not
produce.
Pseudo hermaphrodites are formed who is an individual having
accessory reproductive structures that do not “match” their gonads while
true Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular
tissues but this condition is rare in nature. Nowadays, many pseudo
hermaphrodites undergo sex change operation to have their outer selves fit
with their inner serves (gonads).
Human anatomy
Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive organs grow to their
adult size and become functional under the influence of rising levels of
gonadal hormones [testosterone in male and estrogen in female] and
generally between the age of 10-15 years old.
At the age of 13, male puberty is characterized by the increase in the
size of the reproductive organs followed by the appearance of hair in the
pubic area, axillary and face. The reproductive organs continue to grow for
two years until sexual maturation marked by the presence of mature semen
in the testes.
For the female, the budding of their breasts usually occurring at the
age of 11 as a sign of their puberty stage. Menarche is the first menstrual
period of females which happens two years after the start of puberty.
Hormones play an important role in the regulation of ovulation and fertility
of females.
Factors in development of the physical self
The development of the individual is caused by two interacting forces:
heredity and environment. Heredity [nature] is the transmission of traits from
parents to offspring it provides the raw materials of which the individual is
made up. While the environment [nurture] is the sum total of the forces or
experiences that a person undergoes from conception to old age. It includes
family, friends, school, nutrition and other agencies one is in contact with.
Diseases associated with the reproductive systems
Infections are the most common problems associated with the
reproductive system in adults.
Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and
those whose resistance to diseases is low, like, Escherichia coli which spread
through the digestive tract, the sexually transmitted microorganisms such as
syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes virus and yeast fungus.
Pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility are also the effect of vaginal
infections. For males, the most common inflammatory conditions are
prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis, STD, Orchiditis.
Major treat to reproductive organs are Neoplasms, tumor of the breast
and cervix cancers in adult females and prostates cancer in adult males.
Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their late
20‟s,
i.e. irregular ovulation and shorter menstrual periods – menopausal period.
The production of estrogen may continue after menopause but the
ovaries finally stop functioning as endocrine organs. The reproductive organ
and breast begin to atrophy or shrink if estrogen is no longer released from
the body. With this case, the vaginal becomes dry that causes intercourse to
become painful if frequent and the vaginal infections become increasingly
common.
Signs of estrogen deficiency: irritability and mood changes [depression
in some]; intense vasodilation of the skin‟s blood vessels, gradual thinning of
skin and loss of bone mass, slowing rising high blood levels etc..
Note: there is no counterpart for menopause in males. Although aging
men show a steady decline in testosterone section, their reproductive
capability seems unending. Healthy men are still able to father offspring well
into their 80‟ and beyond.
Erogenous zones
It refers to part of the body that are primarily receptive and increase
sexual arousal when touched in a sexual manner. Examples: mouth, breast,
genitals, anus. However, erogenous zones may vary from one person to
another. Some people may
desire and enjoy being touched in certain area more than the other area, like,
neck, thighs, abdomen and feet.
Human Sexual Behavior
It defined as any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a group
– that induces/ brings sexual arousal [Gebhard, P.H. 2017]. This behavior is
classified according to gender and number of participants.
Types of behavior: Solitary behavior [involving one individual]; and
Socio-sexual behavior [more than one individual]
Solitary behavior
Self – gratification [begins at or b4 puberty] means self –stimulation
that leads to sexual arousal and generally, sexual climax. This takes place in
personal and private as an end in itself, but can also be done in a socio-
sexual relationship.
This is common for males but becomes less frequent or is abandoned
when socio-sexual activity is available.
Therefore, self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried.
However this self-gratification usually decreases as soon as an individual
develop socio-sexual relationship.
Nowadays, human are frequently being exposed to sexual stimuli esp.
from advertising and social media. Some adolescents become so much
aggressive when they respond to such stimuli.
The rate of teenage pregnancy is recently increasing. The challenge is
to develop self-control so that to balance suppression and free expression.
Why? To prevent premarital sex and acquire STD.
Socio-sexual behavior
It is the greatest amount of socio-sexual behavior that occurs b/w only
one male and one female. This usually begins in childhood and may be
motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining genitalia.
Physical contact involving necking and petting is considered as an
ingredient of the learning process and eventually of courtship and selection
of a marriage partner.
Petting differs from hugging, kissing and generalized caresses of
the clothed body to produce stimulation of the genitals. This is done due to
affection as source of pleasure, preliminary to coitus [this is an insertion
of male reproductive organ into female organ]. This is regarded as an
important aspect in selecting partner but also a way of learning how to
interact with another person sexually.
A behavior may be interpreted by society or individual as erotic
depending on the context in which the behavior occurs. Example, kissing as
a gesture of intimacy b/w couples while other sees this as respect and
reverence.
Physiology of human sexual response
Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when
sexual activity is continued.
1. Excitement phase = it is caused by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a
sudden rise in blood supply to the surface of the body resulting in increased
skin temperature, flushing, and swelling of all distensible body parts
particularly noticeable in the male and female reproductive system, rapid
breathing, secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion, and a general
increase in muscle tension.
2. Plateau phase = it is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is
continued, orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax = a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, and rapid increase
in pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing
contractions of the female reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male
that last only for few seconds normally not over ten.
4. Resolution phase = it refers to the return to a normal or subnormal
physiological state. Whereas males return to normal even if stimulation
continues, but continued stimulations can produce additional orgasms in
females. Females are physically capable of repeated orgasms without the
intervening “rest period” required by males.
Nervous system factors
The nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response.
The autonomic system is involved in controlling the involuntary responses.
The efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to
the brain to create stimulus and later initiating a sexual response. The brain
will interpret the sensory message and dictate what will be the immediate
and appropriate response of the body. The muscles contract in response to
the signal coming from the motor nerve fibers while glad secretes their
respective product. So, sexual response is dependent the activity of the
nervous System.
Hypothalamus and limbic system are part of the brain believed to be
responsible for regulating the sexual response, but there is no specialized
“sex center” that has been located in the human brain.
Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses is the reflex. This reflex is
mediated by the lower spinal cord that leads to erection and ejaculation for
male, vaginal discharges and lubricant for female when the genital areas are
stimulated. But still, the brain can overrule and suppress such reflex activity,
when sexual response is socially inappropriate.
Sexual problems
These may be classified as physiological, psychological and social in
origin. Physiological problems are the least among the three categories.
Small number of people suffering from diseases due to abnormal
development of the genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology controlling
sexual response. Example: vaginal infection, retroverted uteri, prostatitis,
adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the vagina and cardiovascular
problems.
Medication: Through surgery
Psychological problems: usually caused by socially induced inhibitions,
maladaptive attitudes, ignorance and sexual myths held by society.
Example: mature sex must involve rapid erection, prolonged coitus and
simultaneous orgasm. Methods: magazines, married books and general
sexual folklore often strengthen these demanding ideals which are not
always achieved; therefore, can give rise to feeling of inadequacy anxiety
and guilt. Hence, resulting negative emotions can definitely affect the
behavior of an individual.
Premature emission of semen is a common problem for young males.
Why? Because of the natural result of excessive tension in a male who has
been sexually deprived. Erectile impotence is almost always a psychological
problem in males under
40; in other cases, the impotence may be the result of disinterest in the
sexual partner, fatigue, and distraction because of nonsexual worries,
intoxication and other causes such as occasional impotency is common and
requires no therapy.
Ejaculatory impotence [inability to ejaculate in coitus] is uncommon
and usually of psychogenic origin. Why? It is due to the past traumatic
experiences. Warning! Occasional ejaculatory inability can be possibly
expected in older men or in any male who has exceeding his sexual
capacity.
Lastly, vaginismus is a strong spasm [contraction] of the pelvic
musculature constricting the female reproductive organ so that penetration
is painful or impossible. It can be due to anti-sexual conditioning or
psychological trauma as an unconscious defense against coitus.
Medication: through psychotherapy and by gradually dilating/widening
the female organ with increasing large cylinders.
Sexual Reproductive diseases are the following:
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes simplex virus
7. Trichomonas vaginalis
Natural and artificial methods are the following:
1. Abstinence
2. Calendar method
3. Basal body temperature
4. Cervical mucus method
5. Symptothermal method
6. Ovulation detection
7. Coitus interruptus
Artificial methods are the following:
1. Oral contraceptive
2. Transdermal patch
3. Vaginal ring
4. Subdermal implants
5. Hormonal injections
6. Intrauterine device
7. Chemical barriers
8. Diaphragm
9. Cervical cap
10. Male condoms
11. Female condoms
12. Surgical methods (vasectomy and ligation)
ACTIVITY 1
1. Make a slogan that will raise the awareness of the college students
and to help eliminate sexually transmitted diseases especially among
the youth.
2. Agree or Disagree. Are you in favor of legalizing
marriage among LGBTQ+? Why?
Prepared by:
Ron Sedrick E. Reyes, MaEd
Instructor, COE-BISCAST