Human Sexuality

1. Discuss three examples of intolerance and prejudice against gay men and women.

Homophobia is a fear of homosexuals. I find it ironic that both homosexuals and heterosexuals are homophobic. However, many people do not how to react when they find out someone is gay. I think many people are fearful of homosexuals because they are uneducated. They do not realize that they are more similar to homosexuals than they may think. When people are fearful of something they typically react in a negative way. This is what leads to derogatory names, tell of "queer jokes", barring gay people from housing, employment, or social opprotunities, taunting (verbal abuse), and gay bashing which is physical abuse. Verbal abuse is probably the more often that I see. I have a homosexual friend from highschool, and he probably did not go a day through highschool without having someone yell: "Fag!" or "Queer" at him. Or, one time his locker partner wrote "faggot" on the top of the locker. Also, I would think gay bashing is often a reaction of people. Typically it is a gang of people that beat up on a homosexual. Also, banning homosexuals from entering a public place, or having dinner somewhere, is very intolerant of homosexuals and does not show acceptance. It is sad that places are like this not even just with sexual orientation but with race and sex as well. It is truly disappointing of our society.

2. Compare and contrast the Kinsey continuum of sexual orientation and Michael Storm's two-dimensional model of sexual orientation. (P. 294-296)

The Kinsey continuum of sexual orientation is a seven-point heterosexual-homosexual continuum. People are placed in to categories by a survey conducted by Kinsey and his colleagues. People placed at 0 are considered exclusively heterosexual compared to the people placed at 6 which are exclusively homosexual. Then the people placed in the mid-range are bisexual.

Michael Storm's two-dimensional model of sexual orientation shows that bisexuals are high on both ends of the scale.

They contrast in the fact that the Kinsey study shows that bisexual individuals are less responsive to stimulation from people of the other sex than heterosexual individuals are. Also, bisexuals are more responsive to stimulation from those of their same sex. The two-dimensional model says bisexual individuals and heterosexual individuals have the same responsiveness to stimulation by the opposite sex. Also, it says that individuals all have the same responsiveness to stimulation by the same sex.

It appears that the Kinsey study and two-dimensional model have some variations on what they believe. However, the book goes on to say that the two-dimensional model may just hold for women if it is valid at all.

3. Identify and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the intercourse positions discussed in the text. (P. 280-285)

Male-Superior Position: This position is when the man is on top and sometimes represents male domination. This position is also called the missionary position. The advantages of this position are that the couple can face each other for more intimacy and kissing. Also, the woman can caress her partner's body or cup her hand under his scrotum for extra stimulation. The man may enjoy this position because of heightened stimulation; yet that can make it harder for him to delay ejaculation. However, the disadvantages could be that the man cannot caress his partner; which could be not favored by the woman if she likes manual stimulation. Also, it makes it difficult for the woman to control the angle and depth of the penetration which could make it hard for her to achieve orgasm. Also, this position is not advisable for the late stages of pregnancy.

Female-Superior Position: This position is where the woman is on top and she is able to control the angle, depth and speed of penetration. In this position there are many advantages, for example it is easy for kissing to take place. Also, this position allows for the male to caress the females body and deliver her extra stimulation. The woman can control the rate of the sexual stimulation and receive adequate pleasure from this position. The book didn't mention any disadvantages to this position.

The Lateral-Entry (Side-Entry) Position: During this position the woman and man lie next to each other. This allows for a lot of free movement, both partners are able to caress the other. This position also allows for easy kissing; at the same time it is not physically exhausting because both indiviudals are laying nicely on their bedding. However, there are some disadvantages, for example each partner might have an arm that is under their partner which might eventually fall asleep; causing discomfort. Also, entering