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Let ’ s Talk About Sex

In this lesson, we explore early anthropological beliefs about the inherent differences between men and women, examining the biological and social constructs of sex and gender. It discusses Margaret Mead's influence in challenging traditional views, the biological distinctions of sex, and the varying cultural practices surrounding reproduction and sexuality, including taboos like incest. We also trace the evolution of sexual attitudes in the U.S. from Puritanism to the sexual revolution, highlighting how views on sexual behavior and partnerships differ across cultures.

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Let ’ s Talk About Sex

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Let’s Talk About Sex Lesson 10: Human Sex and Sexuality

  2. Early Ideas • In early days of anthropology, people believed men and women were fundamentally different • Biologically programed to behave different • Women – nurturing, dependent, gentle and passive • Men – rough, independent, and aggressive • Margaret Mead helped dispel this myth • Showed us that sex and gender are separate

  3. Sex and Gender • Sex • Biological distinction between males and females • XX and XY chromosomes • Gender • Social distinction between masculine and feminine • A constructed status • Varies from group to group

  4. Sex as Reproduction • Sex can also be defined as the physical act of reproduction • This is a biological drive in all humans • Despite being universal, how we actually “do it” varies cross culturally • If we asked Americans what they thought was the natural sex position, what would they say?

  5. More than Just Sex Varies • What is erotic to one group may be disgusting to another • Kissing is not universal • Some rub noses • Others may sniff each other • Americans kiss in public; Chinese only in private • Views toward sexual partners also vary • Sex acts between two men are considered “homosexual” in the US • The Sambia do not think the same way

  6. Incest • All human groups exhibit an incest taboo • It’s forbidden to have sex with members of the family • Sex in the nuclear family is universally taboo • From there the rules vary • In the US, it is forbidden to marry one’s first cousin • In the Middle East cousin marriage is common • Justification for this taboo varies • The Trobrianders focus on what happens to the people who committed the act • In the US, the focus is on the offspring

  7. Forms of Political Organization • Chiefdoms • Much larger groups • Egalitarianism completely eroded • Who is their leader? • States • Clearly defined geographic territory • Defends from external threat with a military and internal disorder with a police force • Rigid hierarchy • Controlled by a government

  8. Dr. Jekyll • The US is both conservative and permissive regarding sex. Why? • Puritans cam first • Changes began in the 1840s • The first wave of feminism • The next significant change came in the 1920s • The Flapper • The Depression and World War II slowed change

  9. & Mr. Hyde • The Depression and World War II slowed change • But, there is the untold story of premarital sex and the G.I.s • The Kinsey Reports • This all led to the sexual revolution in the 1960s • Roe v. Wade • The counterrevolution in the 1980s

  10. Back to Biology • Men and women differ at the level of chromosomes • Women = XX Men = XY • This means men and woman have 45 out of 46 chromosomes in common • But not all births are easily put into male or female • Upwards of 1% exhibit sexual ambiguity • Called intersexual

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