Sex and sexuality have been most confused words when it comes to their definitions. The terms are sometimes used in place of another. Although sexuality depends on characteristics of one's sex, they carry different meanings. Sex refers to the biological characteristics while gender is social features that are dependent on one's gender. This paper gives the definition of the term sex and sexuality. It also discusses the difference between sex and sexuality. The paper furthermore discusses how changes in familial, social, religious, historical and evolution have influence sex and sexuality definition.
Sex is the distinguishing possessions, quality, and accumulation of properties in which living organisms are classified . According to Boundless, sex is that what classify organisms into female, male, and intersex depending on the reproductive systems and the organs functions. According to another definition, sex is that what determine a person if he or she a male or female. It refers to whether a person has a penis or vagina. Sexuality, on the other hand, refers to the human being sexual interest and attraction in relationships with others, as well as their capacity to experience the erotic urge and responses. According to sexuality refers to the total human experience of femaleness and maleness.
Despite of the relationship they have, sex and sexuality have many differences. They mean something that is completely different. Sex is different to sexuality in such a way that it refers to biological and physical features an individual possess. Sex is hormonal, biological, and chromosomal and is determined by one's reproductive organs. Sexuality, on the other hand, is on its on is unique since it is about what human being are attached and attracted sexually or romantically. Sexuality portrays one as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, straight, and asexual. Sex is a natural occurrence that living organism possesses while sexuality is unnatural, pathological and abnormal features that human being earn. When sex status of a person become cerebral or gets into one’s head, it turns into sexuality.
Sex and sexuality definition and understanding have been varying over a period. Their understanding has been influenced by social, religious, historical, and familial evolution. Different societies have different belief and understanding on sex and sexuality. Human lifestyles and beliefs are subjected to dynamic changes. Historically, societies have been adhering to strict and systematic norms on sexual activities, sex, sexual consent, and sexuality. In the past, people were familiarized to fit into a particular group of gender and sexuality through the informal educational system, religion, family, and peer relationship. Boys were taught to identify themselves as of different sex and sexuality with girls. There were no cases of bisexual, homosexual, and intersex was not considered in society.
Today understanding of sex and sexuality is very different from what was there before. ”Society's views on sexuality have changed throughout history and are continuously evolving”. The change in society’s perception of norms, status quo, sexual behavior, and premarital sex has significantly affected how sex and sexuality are defined. Nowadays the definition depends on the sexual possessiveness and the characteristics depicted by human behavior. Today, how an individual carries himself or herself determines his or her sexuality. How children grow into their sexual selves, is depending on what they are taught about sex despite their genetic makeup. Sex education is currently more advance. With a lot of freedom and supportive laws and technology, individuals can easily change their sex. People today have freedoms of expressing their sexual feeling to their partners of the same sex. People today engage in the same-sex relationship. The society has changed dynamically. Furthermore, religions have also changed their view on sex and sexuality. They offer sex education and treat both male and female equally. Other religions have even gone further to support same-sex marriages, unlike in the past.
The above paper gives a brief understanding on sex and sexuality, the dynamic changes that have led to the evolution of sex and gender definition. It can be seen that sex is the biological character of an organism while sexuality is characteristics depicted by the sexual status of an organism. Furthermore, the paper also discusses the changes that have occurred on how sex and sexuality is understood.
References
Boundless. (2016, January 11). “Defining Sex, Gender, and Sexuality. Retrieved from Boundless Psychology: https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/gender-and-sexuality-15/introduction-to-gender-and-sexuality-75/defining-sex-gender-and-sexuality-294-12829
Hyde, J. S., & DeLamate, J. D. (2013). Understanding Human Sexuality (12 ed.). Califonia: McGraw-Hil.
ReCCAPP. (2016, January 11). ReCAPP: Learning Activities: Sex and Sexuality: Understanding the Difference. Retrieved from Recapp.etr.org: http://recapp.etr.org/Recapp/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.LearningActivitiesDetail&PageID=167
