Human beings are complex. There are many aspects and components that make up each person you meet. The sum of these parts could be called one’s identity. Our sexuality is a huge part of our identity, in the sense that it affects every part of who we are. According to NCFR, this content area involves “an understanding of the physiological, psychological, & social aspects of sexual development throughout the lifespan, so as to achieve healthy sexual adjustment” (ncfr.org). Obviously, having a healthy sexual life is a key part of leading an overall healthy lifestyle. Those who choose to ignore the importance of their sexual health may find that their overall health - emotional, physical, psychological - is profoundly affected, often in harmful ways.
We must think bigger-picture than the physical nature of human sexuality in order to understand that the domains of human development also apply specifically to our sexual development. What comes to mind when you think “sex ed”? Many human service, education, and family professionals agree that our approach to sexual education needs to change to fit the needs of today’s generations who are exploring their sexuality. Biological health is obviously crucial – teaching about safe sexual practices is needed – but the emotions and mental components need to be addressed as well. Healthy perspectives on sexuality prevent unpleasant experiences based on naivety or ignorance. Sexual education also needs to address cultural perspectives on sexuality and how those may positively or negative influence individuals. It also needs to address the significance of sexual abuse and how detrimental it is to individuals – the trauma behind it and how to prevent it.
As human beings, our sexuality is an important part of our development. It is not the only component, and we need to be educated on how that part of our identity and health interacts with the whole person.
We must think bigger-picture than the physical nature of human sexuality in order to understand that the domains of human development also apply specifically to our sexual development. What comes to mind when you think “sex ed”? Many human service, education, and family professionals agree that our approach to sexual education needs to change to fit the needs of today’s generations who are exploring their sexuality. Biological health is obviously crucial – teaching about safe sexual practices is needed – but the emotions and mental components need to be addressed as well. Healthy perspectives on sexuality prevent unpleasant experiences based on naivety or ignorance. Sexual education also needs to address cultural perspectives on sexuality and how those may positively or negative influence individuals. It also needs to address the significance of sexual abuse and how detrimental it is to individuals – the trauma behind it and how to prevent it.
As human beings, our sexuality is an important part of our development. It is not the only component, and we need to be educated on how that part of our identity and health interacts with the whole person.
Academic Preparation
- Human Sexuality
- Family Relationships and Gender Roles
- Advanced Trauma & Traumatic Stress
Work/Volunteer Experience
- Women’s Point Leader – Ichthus
- Intern – the Homestead Ministries
Community Resource Critique Paper from FSHS 300 - Advanced Trauma
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Reflection
In today’s American culture, we are bombarded with images and messages that scream of sexuality. It seems that everyone has a different view on what is healthy or appropriate, so it is important to know what one believes as an individual in order to make personal decisions that are fitting for one’s growth and development.
My experiences with sexuality have been mostly from an observer’s point of view. I have had several people close to me “come out” in ways that initially rattled my cage, so to speak. Those experiences taught me to have an open mind and a welcoming attitude towards people who may seem different than me. Standing by my friends and supporting them during challenging times when they were bullied, ridiculed, or feeling misunderstood opened my eyes to how difficult wresting with one’s sexual orientation and identity can be.
I am also involved as an intern at the Homestead Ministries, which is a holistic transitional care program for women who were victims of sex trafficking. This program helps reintegrate women into society by providing them with mental health care, financial assistance, no-cost living, and job/apprenticeship training. I am a mentor to a woman who is currently in the program. She is much older than me, but she shares her past experiences (traumatic and positive) very openly. Part of the Homestead’s ministry is going to strip clubs once a month and getting to know the women who work there on a personal level. We try to plant seeds of hope and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
Obviously, past sexual abuse runs rampant in these women’s stories, and I am exposed to it day in and day out. Hearing about their experiences firsthand and seeing the way it’s affected them has in turn affected me very deeply. My perspectives on healthy relationships, sexual abuse and exploitation, and even the use of pornographic materials has shifted drastically. The way I understand sexuality now is that it is an integral part of individuals. The way someone develops in their sexuality and the ways outside forces affect that development can make or break them.
Another important part of my view on healthy sexuality comes from my personal belief system. I value sexual intimacy highly, and have made perhaps unpopular or unusual decisions about how to live with my own sexuality. However, I am able to remain open to others’ positions and perspectives because I understand that individuals are unique in their beliefs and upbringings. Being able to have open and honest conversations with my peers about sexuality has shaped my view of this part of human development in challenging but helpful ways.
I understand that I have plenty of room to grow in terms of understanding human sexuality. I would like to understand more about how sexual interactions between individuals affect them emotionally, mentally and relationally. I have heard quite a bit of hearsay about how engaging in sex causes you to be “emotionally tied” to the individual you engage with. I know that there are certain chemicals that are released when engaging in sexual activity, but I would be interested to know if there are sexual “myths” in my own mind that need to be debunked.
As family life educators, we have to understand all aspects of individual and family life, especially the most sensitive ones. We know that our sexuality affects the very core of our being, but we do not completely understand why it affects us so deeply. Even just to empathize with others, we need to understand the impact that certain lifestyle choices have on their wellbeing and livelihood. Unfortunately, our culture has distorted a healthy and proper view of sexuality. Part of family life educators’ responsibility is to reorient peoples’ views of sexuality and educate them on what healthy sexuality looks like so that they can live lives that are healthy in a holistic sense, rather than leaving certain areas out.
My experiences with sexuality have been mostly from an observer’s point of view. I have had several people close to me “come out” in ways that initially rattled my cage, so to speak. Those experiences taught me to have an open mind and a welcoming attitude towards people who may seem different than me. Standing by my friends and supporting them during challenging times when they were bullied, ridiculed, or feeling misunderstood opened my eyes to how difficult wresting with one’s sexual orientation and identity can be.
I am also involved as an intern at the Homestead Ministries, which is a holistic transitional care program for women who were victims of sex trafficking. This program helps reintegrate women into society by providing them with mental health care, financial assistance, no-cost living, and job/apprenticeship training. I am a mentor to a woman who is currently in the program. She is much older than me, but she shares her past experiences (traumatic and positive) very openly. Part of the Homestead’s ministry is going to strip clubs once a month and getting to know the women who work there on a personal level. We try to plant seeds of hope and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
Obviously, past sexual abuse runs rampant in these women’s stories, and I am exposed to it day in and day out. Hearing about their experiences firsthand and seeing the way it’s affected them has in turn affected me very deeply. My perspectives on healthy relationships, sexual abuse and exploitation, and even the use of pornographic materials has shifted drastically. The way I understand sexuality now is that it is an integral part of individuals. The way someone develops in their sexuality and the ways outside forces affect that development can make or break them.
Another important part of my view on healthy sexuality comes from my personal belief system. I value sexual intimacy highly, and have made perhaps unpopular or unusual decisions about how to live with my own sexuality. However, I am able to remain open to others’ positions and perspectives because I understand that individuals are unique in their beliefs and upbringings. Being able to have open and honest conversations with my peers about sexuality has shaped my view of this part of human development in challenging but helpful ways.
I understand that I have plenty of room to grow in terms of understanding human sexuality. I would like to understand more about how sexual interactions between individuals affect them emotionally, mentally and relationally. I have heard quite a bit of hearsay about how engaging in sex causes you to be “emotionally tied” to the individual you engage with. I know that there are certain chemicals that are released when engaging in sexual activity, but I would be interested to know if there are sexual “myths” in my own mind that need to be debunked.
As family life educators, we have to understand all aspects of individual and family life, especially the most sensitive ones. We know that our sexuality affects the very core of our being, but we do not completely understand why it affects us so deeply. Even just to empathize with others, we need to understand the impact that certain lifestyle choices have on their wellbeing and livelihood. Unfortunately, our culture has distorted a healthy and proper view of sexuality. Part of family life educators’ responsibility is to reorient peoples’ views of sexuality and educate them on what healthy sexuality looks like so that they can live lives that are healthy in a holistic sense, rather than leaving certain areas out.