Week 1:.................................................................................................................2
LECTURE 1A: INTRODUCTION, HISTORY & PLEASURE..................................................................2
LECTURE 1B: PSYCHOSEXUAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE..............................6
SEMINAR NOTES................................................................................................................ 11
Week 2:...............................................................................................................12
LECTURE 2A: LET’S GET PHYSICAL – BIOLOGY AND SEXUALITY...................................................12
LECTURE 2B: SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER.........................................................15
SEMINAR NOTES:............................................................................................................... 20
Week 3:...............................................................................................................22
LECTURE 3A: LGBT YOUTH AND SEXUALITY...........................................................................22
LECTURE 3B: INTERSECTIONALITY IN SEXUALITY RESEARCH........................................................25
SEMINAR NOTES:............................................................................................................... 26
Week 4:...............................................................................................................27
LECTURE 4A: IMPACT OF THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S SEXUALITY.....................27
LECTURE 4B: SEX EDUCATION............................................................................................. 27
Week 5:...............................................................................................................29
LECTURE 5A: SEXUAL ABUSE DURING CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE........................................29
LECTURE 5B: SEXUAL COERCION AND CONSENT......................................................................29
SEMINAR NOTES................................................................................................................ 29
Week 6:...............................................................................................................29
LECTURE 6: SEX EDUCATION – A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE............................................................29
1
,Week 1:
Lecture 1A: Introduction, History & Pleasure
WHO’s working definition of sexuality (2006):
“…A central aspect of being human throughout life encompasses sex, gender
identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.
Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs,
attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles, and relationships.
While sexuality can include all of these dimensions, not all of them are always
experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological,
psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, legal, historical, religious and
spiritual factors.”
The modern study of sexuality – a (ultrashort) overview:
First scientific developments (1900-1940):
From religious-moral to medical-psychiatric perspectives.
o Before the 20th century, discussions around sexuality were often dominated by
religious and moral beliefs, viewing certain sexual behaviors as sinful or
immoral. However, there was a gradual shift towards understanding sexuality
through a scientific lens, focusing on psychological and medical aspects.
2
, German psycho-analysts laid the foundation for sexology:
o Figures such as Von Krafft-Ebing and Freud played crucial roles in laying the
foundation for the scientific study of sexuality. They often considered female
desire as deviant.
1906: Birth of sexology as a science (Iwan Bloch):
o Hirschfeld & Bloch founded the Sexual Science Institute.
o Havelock Ellis, Bloch & Hirschfeld researched homosexuality.
The first steps of moving away from LGBT identities as diseases, immoral behaviors,
or crime offenses.
Alfred Kinsey (US, 1894-1956) – pioneer of sex research:
Biologist, zoologist, sexologist.
“The Kinsey Reports” (1948, 1953) were based on 5000 and 6000 interviews,
providing insights into the sexual behaviors of the American population.
His work was revolutionary in that he moved the field from traditional medicine to
multiple disciplines, including biology, sociology, and psychology.
A taxonomy of human sexual behaviors, including pedophilia, where he documented
the full spectrum of observable sexual behavior, without moral claims about right or
wrong.
o This includes behaviors such as masturbation, premarital sex, and
homosexuality.
Introduced the Kinsey Scale, a method for ‘measuring’ the level of homosexuality in
individuals.
His work was controversial in his time due to the revelations about masturbation,
orgasm, premarital sex, homosexuality, differences and similarities between men and
women, and more.
John Money (New Zealand, 1921-2006):
Psychologist, sexologist.
He conducted groundbreaking clinical empirical studies on gender identity
development among intersex children.
He introduced the term ‘gender’ (1955), defining it as “all those things that a person
says or does to disclose himself or herself as having the status of man or woman”.
o He emphasized that gender encompasses more than just biological sex,
including aspects of identity, behavior, and social roles.
He was criticized for the case of Bruce/Brenda/David Reimer, as it raised serious
ethical concerns.
Masters & Johnson:
1966: ‘Discovery’ of the human sexual response cycle:
o Stage 1: Excitement, which is categorized by arousal and initiation of sexual
response.
3
