PAMPANGA STATE UNIVERSITY

Republic of the Philippines

Commission on Higher Education
Cabambangan Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

MODULE
in
UNDERSTANDING
THE SELF

Prepared by:

Dr. Emmanuel B. Parreño

Associate Professor V
Department of Industrial Engineering
College of Engineering and Architecture
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A. Course Code / Title: USELF 113 – Understanding the Self

B. Module Number: Module 7 – The Sexual Self

C. Time Frame: Week 8

D. Materials: Module, Syllabus, Online Resources

I. Overview

The sexual self refers to the part of a person’s identity that is connected to
their biological sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, desires, behaviors, and
attitudes toward sexuality. It is a vital aspect of human development and personal
identity.
II. Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

➢ Discuss the developmental aspect of the reproductive system

➢ Describe the erogenous zones:
➢ Explain human sexual behavior;
➢ Describe sexually transmitted diseases; and
➢ Differentiate natural and artificial methods of contraception
III. Content/Discussion
Introduction

Understanding and experiencing the self includes a discussion of the

biological factors of sexual behaviors that includes the reproductive system and
the sex characteristics that differentiate between man and woman. The
reproductive system is a system of sex organs designed for reproduction and
sexual function. It affects not only how individuals view themselves but also their
sexuality and sexual relationships. During adolescence, most young people
become involved in dating and courtship. Through romantic relationships, sexual
behaviors are developed. Risk factors for sexual behaviors such as early
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are discussed in this chapter.

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 DEVELOPMENT OF SEX CHARACTERISTICS AND THE HUMAN
REPRODUCTIVE SYSYTEM

The beginning of adolescence is marked by rapid physical changes, including the

maturation of the reproductive system and the development of primary and
secondary sex characteristics.

PRIMARY SEX
MALE FEMALE
CHARACTERISTICS

These are the physical ∙ These ∙ These characteristics

characteristics present at birth. characteristics include the vagina,

include the penis, uterus, and ovaries.
These are the characteristics testes or testicles,
that distinguish male from scrotum and
female. prostate gland.

SECONDARY SEX
MALE FEMALE
CHARACTERISTICS

∙ Testicular growth, ∙ The earliest evidences of

sperm production, puberty are enlargement of

the breasts, onset of
appearance of facial,
menstruation, widening of
Develop during the onset of pubic and other body the hips and growth of
puberty. hair, and deepening pubic hair.

of voice are some of

∙ Onset of menstruation
the 1st signs of varies but usually occurs
puberty. around 10-12 years of age.

➢ Primary sex characteristics develop as the embryo grows in the womb as

a result of the chromosomes contained within the embryonic cells as well
as the hormonal influences.

➢ At about 5 weeks of pregnancy, two organs called the gonads, form in the
embryo.

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➢ In men, the gonads release testosterone that causes the male’s sex
organs to develop.

➢ During puberty, testosterone and other androgens stimulate the

development of primary and secondary characteristics and also increase
the sex drive.

➢ In women, the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone as well as

small amount of testosterone.

➢ Estrogen – promotes female reproductive capacity and secondary sex

characteristics.

➢ Progesterone – stimulates growth of the female reproductive organs and

prepares the uterus for pregnancy.

➢ Unlike men, however, female sex hormones are not produced

consistently.

➢ Female sex hormones’ production follows a cyclical pattern, on an

approximately 28-day monthly cycle.

➢ The greatest production occurs during ovulation period, when an egg is

released from the ovaries.

➢ Ovulation period can occur 14 days after the beginning of the menstrual
period.

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THE HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FEMALE SYSTEM & MALE SYSTEM

THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

It is composed of the clitoris, the vagina, the uterus, the fallopian tubes and the
two ovaries.

CLITORIS – made of erectile tissue, swells with blood and hardens when a
woman is sexually aroused.

VAGINA – is a muscular tube that serves as the receptacle for the penis and
carrier of the sperm to the uterus. It also is known as the birth canal where the
fetus passes out of a mother’s body.

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OVARIES

The ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of the
uterus. The ovaries produce, store, and release the egg cell during ovulation.

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UTERUS

Is a hollow organ where the fertilized embryo grows to become a fetus.

THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

It includes the penis, the testes, the scrotum, the prostate gland, the seminal
vesicles, the vas deferens and the epididymis.

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PENIS - is the organ through which males urinate and deliver the sperm cells into
the vagina through sexual intercourse. It is made up of sensitive tissues and nerve
endings. When a man is sexually aroused, it becomes erect and allows for
penetration.

Before reaching the penis, sperm cells travel through the prostate gland and
seminal vesicles.

TESTES or TESTICLES – located in a loose pouch-like sac of skin called the

scrotum are responsible for the production of sperms cells and male sex
hormones.

VAS DEFERENS – transports the sperm-containing fluid called semen.

EPIDIDYMIS – a set of coiled ducts connected to the vas deferens where the
sperm cells are stored.

➢ The prostate gland and seminal vesicles produce semen and nourish the
sperm cells.

➢ Ejaculation is the release of sperm cells from the penis.

➢ Each ejaculation contains 300 to 500 million sperm cells.

➢ Sperm cells can live up to 48 hours inside the uterus.

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SEXUAL AROUSAL AND EROGENOUS ZONES: WHAT TURNS PEOPLE ON
EROGENOUS ZONES

Human sexual arousal is complex. It may be produced by direct stimulation of the

body’s erogenous zones on the areas of the body that provide pleasure.

EROGENOUS ZONES

are areas of the body which are highly sensitive and produce sexual responses
when stimulated.

➢ Main erogenous zones include: genitals, mouth, breasts, ears, anus, and to
a lesser degree, the entire surface of the body like the neck, thighs,
abdomen, and other body surface.

➢ These zones differ from person to person, as some people may enjoy being
touched in a certain area more than other areas.

➢ One of the most basic forms of sexual stimulation is masturbation or self-

stimulation that causes sexual pleasure or orgasm.

➢ It involves the rubbing or fondling of the genital areas and provides a good
index of sexual desire because it is not constrained by the availability of a
partner.

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 ➢ Other sexual activities such as intimate kissing, cuddling, necking, petting
or touching the erogenous zones may be uniquely important to sexual
arousal.

WHY ARE SOME AREAS MORE EROGENOUS THAN OTHERS?

It has been mentioned (University of California, 2017) that the level of erotic
sensitivity of a particular body is largely dependent on the amount of the nerve
endings that are located on that region. Other areas of the body such as eyelids,
forearm, head and abdomen have fewer nerves but also can be potential
erogenous zone for others specially if touched during foreplay.

➢ Sexual arousal is closely tied to variations in hormonal levels. In humans,

hormones play less of a role. In one sense, the brain is where sexual desire
originates and where sexual behavior is controlled.

➢ Cognitive factors thus play an important role in sexual arousal in humans.

➢ For instance, some individuals become sexually aroused by creating or

fantasizing erotic images.

➢ In other words, sexual fantasies play a significant role in sexual arousal.

➢ Many believe that compared with women, men think about sex more often
because they report more frequent sex fantasies and more frequent feelings
of sexual desire.

➢ Nevertheless, women tend to place more emphasis on emotional closeness

with a lover than men do.

➢ Overall, women and men have equal potential for sexual arousal and
women are no less physically responsive than men.

➢ Culture also influences the expression of sexual desire.

➢ Norms continue to shape sexual activity along socially acceptable behavior.

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 ➢ For instance, masturbation and premarital sex are discouraged in most
cultures.

➢ Expression of sexual desire is also influenced by sexual scripts or the

stereotyped patterns of expectations on how people should behave
sexually.

THE PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE

William Masters and Virginia Johnson found that the biological responses of males
and females are quite similar. They used the term sexual-response cycle to
describe the changes that occur in the body as men and woman become sexually
aroused. They divide the sexual-response cycle into four phases: excitement,
plateau, orgasm and resolution.

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ATTRACTION, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT

As adolescents grow and mature, they make new patterns of relationships

and commitments with other people. While these new patterns of relationships may
change as they mature, they could form the foundations in which intimacy during
adulthood will be established. During adolescence, dating and courtship emerge
and become increasingly important. Puberty is an important stage in sexual
development. It is the time when many boys and girls first experience their first
sexual attraction. Initial attraction is influenced by social norms, physical
attractiveness and processes of interpersonal exchange.

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS – refers to the degree to which a person’s

physical traits are regarded as aesthetically pleasing or beautiful.

SOCIAL NORMS – influence attraction in several ways such as in determining

who are the appropriate as lovers and spouses.

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SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY– proposes that attraction is result of an exchange
process.

ROMANTIC LOVE

Includes a complex combination of different emotions such as anger, fear, sexual

desire, joy and jealousy. Some of these emotions may also be sources of suffering.
It has strong components of sexual attraction and infatuation and is often
experienced in the early stage of a love relationship.

STERNBERG COMPONENT OF LOVE

1. INTIMACY – refers to the feeling of closeness, connectedness and

bondedness.

2. PASSION – refers to the drives that lead to romance, physical attraction and
sexual consummation.

3. COMMITMENT – refers to the decision to love and the commitment to maintain

that love.

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FISHER INGREDIENTS OF ROMANTIC LOVE

A. LUST – Driven by the desire for sexual-gratification.

B. ATTRACTION – is associated with sexual attraction.

C. ATTACHMENT – occurs when individuals desire to connect with another

person intimately. May also be called affectionate or companionate love.

JOHN BOWLBY

defines attachment as a strong affectional tie that binds a person to an

intimate companion.

The ability to form stable and close relationships begins at infancy, in a

child’s earliest experiences with a caregiver who meets his or her needs.

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SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Sexual orientation refers to a person’s sexual identity anchored on what gender

they are attracted to.

Heterosexuality – most common sexual orientation in which one is sexually

attracted to members of the opposite sex.

Homosexuality – orientation of one who is sexually attracted to the same sex (gays
and lesbians).

Bisexuality – an orientation where one is attracted to both opposite and same sex.

Some explanations for homosexuality and bisexuality are biological in nature,

suggesting that genetic factors such as hormones and certain neural systems may
also play a role in sexual orientation. Nevertheless, research studies on the
biological causes of homosexuality and bisexuality are not conclusive.
Reinforcement and observational learning might also affect an individual’s sexual
orientation.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) AND EARLY PREGNANCY

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 Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) are contracted primarily through sexual contact (vaginal, oral or anal sex).
Many STIs affect the sex organs themselves while others have broader and more
life-threatening effects. Bacterial infections are treatable with antibiotics, but those
caused by viruses are more incurable such as HIV/AIDS. However, even curable
bacterial infections can cause serious health problems if ignored and let untreated,
and some bacterial infections are difficult to detect because symptoms are not
immediately noticeable. STIs commonly include: HIV/AIDS, Gonorrhea, Syphilis,
Chlamydia, Genital herpes and Genital warts.

HIV/AIDS INFECTIONS

Caused by direct contact with body fluids such as through blood transfusion, breast
feeding, and sexual intercourse. It attacks the immune system and the infected
person eventually dies.

GONORRHEA

Is caused by gonococcal bacteria which attack the lining of the mucous membrane
such as mouth, throat, vagina and urethra. It can be treated by penicillin or other
antibiotics.

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SYPHILIS

infects the genital areas and other parts of the body including the brain and can
cause paralysis or even death when left untreated.

CHLAMYDIA

It is caused by bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. In men, it can cause swollen

testicles and a burning sensation during urination.

GENITAL HERPES can cause itching and tingling sensations, abscesses, and
blisters in genital areas. There is no cure for herpes.

GENITAL WARTS are caused by human papillomavirus and women with HPV
are prone to cervical cancer. Though warts can be removed, they may recur.

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 Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of STIs and STDs and should
practice safe sex. It is important to remember that not having sex is the safest
method to avoid all these possible consequences as well as early pregnancy. The
consequences of high teenage pregnancy remain a major concern. It creates
health risks among young mothers and their babies since female reproductive
organs are not yet mature during adolescence and complications may arise during
pregnancy and childbirth.

Synthesis
The sexual self refers to the aspect of identity shaped by biological,
psychological, and social factors related to human sexuality. It includes sexual
orientation, gender identity, desires, and attitudes toward intimacy and
relationships. From adolescence to adulthood, the sexual self develops through
personal experiences, cultural norms, and social expectations.

Understanding the sexual self is important because it influences how

individuals view their bodies, build relationships, and express affection. It also
highlights the need for respect, responsibility, and self-awareness in making
choices about sexuality. Ultimately, the sexual self shows that sexuality is not only
a biological function but also an important part of personal identity and human
development.

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 Reference/s

Alata, E. J. P., Caslib, B. N., Jr., Serafica, J. P. J., & Pawilen, R. A. (2018).
Understanding the self. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc.

Go-Monilla, M. J. A., & Ramirez, N. C. (2018). Understanding the self. Quezon

City, Philippines: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Macayan, J. V., Junghan-Pinugu, J. N., & Castillo, J. C. D. (2019). Understanding

the self: Outcome-based module. Quezon City, Philippines: C & E
Publishing, Inc.

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