We Can Do It!

...and we can do it. 
And if we are so inclined to do it, than why not make it satisfactory?

Sexual assertiveness (SA) describes the degree to which one feels capable of expressing one's sexual needs and desires to a sexual partner and is predictive of higher sexual satisfaction and body comfort (Fletcher, personal communications). Current research has shown that as a women's sexual assertiveness increases the relational satisfaction for both partners also increases (Green & Faulkner, 2005). In a further examination of female sexual assertiveness, researchers have examined how feminist identification could affect females' expectations of her partner and her sexual experience. Yoder, Perry and Saal (2007) found that a strong commitment to feminist identity predicted female expectancies of egalitarian partnerships and higher self-reports of sexual assertiveness. In contrast, women who had a non-feminist identification self-reported lower levels of sexual assertiveness and an increased vulnerability to risky sexual behaviors.

Although these findings may not seem surprising--empowered women feel sexually empowered--not every women self-identifies as a feminist nor feels empowered. If feminist identity is significantly, positively correlated to increased sexual assertiveness, and sexual assertiveness is predictive of higher sexual satisfaction and body comfort, then let me say what we're all thinking...

"let's all be feminists!" 

However the task is not that easy. In a society where woman are constantly exposed to the "ideal" female and unrealistic expectations about sex and sexuality through the media, being a feminist can seem intimidating, especially when there's the social stigma of being an "angry man-hater". In order to promote female empowerment, the discourse surrounding female sexuality behaviors needs to be empowering towards young girls. So you may be asking yourself, how can we promote healthy sexual communications for women to make women feel more agentive in their sexuality behaviors?
How can the discourse surrounding female sexuality behaviors help women to communicate what they want and need from sexual partnerships? What resources (peers, institutional, familial) resources need to be made to females (and when) to encourage agentive behaviors? What role can men play in encouraging female sexual assertiveness?

In a quest for sexual satisfaction and communication and feeling comfortable in our own skin and between the sheets, we need to think about ways that the discourse surrounding female sexuality behaviors can foster female empowerment. Maybe the answer is the fourth wave of feminism, and in making a splash, perhaps the ladies will be excited about getting wet (pun, totally intended).


-Rachel P.




References

Fletcher, K. (2014, April). Sexual Assertiveness. Lecture conducted for Kalamazoo College: Psychology of Sexuality.

Greene, K., & Faulkner, S. L. (2005). Gender, belief in the sexual double standard talk in heterosexual relationships. Sex Roles, 53, 239-251.

Yoder, J. D., Perry, R. L. & Saal, E. I. (2007) What Good is a Feminist Identity?: Women’s Feminist
Identification and Role Expectations for Intimate and Sexual Relationships. Sex Roles, 57, 365-372.

Sex-Ed for Kindergarteners?

An interesting topic lately is sex education in schools. Is it necessary? Should it the school’s responsibility? Are schools programs effective in engaging and getting through to teens? According to the National Conference of State Legislature all states are somehow involved in sex education whether it is instruction about HIV/AIDS, basic sex education, or both. If you’re wondering why sexual education is taught in schools you’re not alone. Many believe that if sexual education is not taught in schools many children will never learn in a healthy environment what safe sex is, about their bodies and others, or have someone to talk to about uncomfortable situations such as those that arise when talking about sexual activities. A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that more than 47 percent of all high school students have had sex and only 60% of the students that had had sex in the three moths prior to the survey reported use of a condom and even lower number of 23% reported use of birth control. The goal of sexual education is that if teens are going to engage in sexual activity they know and understand the possible consequences and how to engage in safe sexual activity that limits the possibilities of STIs and STDs, pregnancy, and other dangerous repercussions. This website gives reasons for sexual education to be taught in school, and a breakdown of state sex education legislation status from the National conference of State Legislatures: http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-policies-on-sex-education-in-schools.aspx#2.

In November of 2011 the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act was introduced which aimed to provide young people with the comprehensive sexuality education they need to make informed, responsible, and healthy decisions in order to become sexually healthy adults and have healthy relationships. This act raises the issue of accurate and healthy sexual education but also healthy relationships, which are an essential part of growing up and developing into sexually healthy adults. Supported by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act seeks to give adolescents and young adults the information they need to become informed, sexually healthy adults. More information can be found at: http://www.siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=1347&nodeID=1

A lot of information given to children and young adults about sex education is just scary statistics. But when is it appropriate start teaching sex education? According to the Chicago Board of Education, kindergarten. These young children will be taught the basics about human anatomy, reproduction, healthy relationships and personal safety. This new policy mandates that a certain amount of time be spent on sexual education in each grade starting in kindergarten. Through third grade students will focus on the family, feelings and appropriate and inappropriate touching. From then on, students will start learning about puberty, HIV, reproduction, the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases, bullying and contraception, including abstinence (Mohney 2013). A large change in the sex education instruction is that it will now cover sexual orientation and gender identity in order to promote awareness and tolerance, while preventing bullying. More information can be found at: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/02/28/chicago-passes-sex-ed-for-kindergartners/

Questions to consider:

·      Is sex education the schools responsibility?

·      Do you think the sex education that you received was effective?

·      Should kindergarteners be taught sex education?

·      Should the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act be passed, why or why not?

·      What would happen if sex education were taken out of schools?

- Olivia Weaver

Let's Talk about Sex

Welcome to Birds and the Bees an interactive blog dedicated to talking about sex education and the resources available to us in our community and through our community members. As Salt-N-Pepper say, "don't decoy, avoid or make void the topic", "everybody has sex let's talk about it"

Hoping to develop a helpful, educational, and provocative conversation surrounding sex education and learning how to talk "the talk".