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=Welcome to the Sexuality and Culture Wikispace!= toc

Sexuality and Culture
The examination of sexuality through the lens of culture in order to understand the values and beliefs that inform how members of that group experience sexuality. This perspective attempts to adopt an objective viewpoint and to make relative one’s conceptualization of normalcy. Variations in value systems, traditional practices, and role expectations in relation to sexuality are as diverse as the cultures in which they are formed. Understanding the culture of an individual or community can provide rich information through which to better frame sexual behaviors, identities, and values.

Topics in Sexuality
Dennis Dailey’s (1981) Circles of Sexuality Model serves as a source of inspiration and the conceptual framework to guide our inquiry into sexuality and culture. The five areas of focus are: Sensuality, Intimacy, Sexual Health & Reproduction, Sexual Identity, and Sexualization, with Culture incorporated across all five areas.

Sensuality
Sensuality refers to people’s awareness and feelings about their own bodies and other people's bodies, especially the body of a sexual partner. Sensuality enables people to feel good about how their bodies look and feel as well as what they can do. It also allows people to enjoy the pleasure their bodies can give them and others. Sensuality is a major aspect of the sexual self that influences inter-and-intrapersonal encounters. Body Image by Lauren Wesley, Hillary Grumbine, and Ericka Hart The Female Orgasm by Elizabeth Mallers, Jennie Brogan, Rachel Hoffman, and Lindsey Duel Masturbation by Ashley Antista, Elise Becher, Bethany Gehman, and Stacey Rosenberg
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Intimacy
Sexual intimacy is the ability to be emotionally close to another human being and to accept closeness in return. Sexual intimacy also influences an individual’s emotional risk-taking behaviors in relationships; this includes sharing personal feelings and personal information. Several aspects of intimacy include emotional risk-taking and sharing of one’s thoughts and feelings. Marriage Around the World by Tanya Bass, Olivia Meyer, Haley Nauta, Reginald Rosarion and Talena Queen Arranged Marriages by Jade Burt, JessiAnn Nwazue, Galia Godel
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Sexual Identity
Sexual identity is the term used to describe how people understand who they are sexually, specifically what they call themselves or others. Included in sexual identity are different sexual orientations (attractions to other people), gender identities (people’s sense of maleness, femaleness, or other gender experiences or expressions), and other sexual identities people take on that are as diverse as there are people. Included here are the various sexual communities and social constructs that describe who people are sexually (e.g. heterosexuality, homosexuality, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous, etc.). Non-Binary/Transgender Identities by Khara Schenker and Sarah Gannon LGBT Sexual Identity and Language by J. Sarah Kleintop Gender and Sexual Expression in the Carnivalesque by S. Benson, S. Diamond, and O. Henry Non-Monogamies by A. Bairstow, A. Bove, R. Spotts, S. Sprague, and C. Wampold Gender Roles by Teal Dye Masculinities by N. Floyd, J. Ienuso, B. Schaeffer, S. Thomas, Cat Ward, Kelly Conroy, Courtney Meyer Lesbian Culture by Benita-Chelise Dowdell, Rikki Glantz, and Tara Johnson
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Sexual Health and Reproduction
Sexual health and reproduction incorporates the biology of human sexuality, which includes concepts like conceiving or preventing a pregnancy, having children, the physiology and anatomy of the human reproductive systems, the behaviors and attitudes that make sexual relationships healthy, enjoyable, and challenging. Sexual health also includes factual knowledge about one’s body and various forms of contraception and infection prevention. This area also includes the political and technical discussion of sexual rights concerning reproduction and health care access.

Breastfeeding by Ashley Haymond, Malia Piazza, Cristina Valcarcel-Mikijanic Breastfeeding in Hispanic and Latino American Women - by Cristina Valcarcel - Mikijanic Breastfeeding in Black American Culture by Alicia L. Andrews Male Circumcision by Amy Pedigo, Isobel Connors, Gaby Marantz, and Bea Daley Eugenics by E. Basler-Francis School Based Sexuality Education by Sukriti Dabral, Jenna Emerson, Drew Miller, and Arial Moore Sexuality and Drug Use by Bridget Callahan, Noelle Cordeaux, Lindsay Lock, and Kim McLaughlin
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Sexualization
Sexualization is that aspect of sexuality in which people behave sexually to influence, manipulate, or control other people. This aspect is often perceived as the negative side of human sexuality; however, sexualization spans behaviors that range from the relatively harmless to the exploitative, violent, cruel, and criminal. These sexual behaviors include flirting, seduction, withholding sex from an intimate partner as punishment or to get something, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and rape. Sexualization also refers to making things sexual that are not inherently so, or to the overemphasis of the sexual aspects of a person that might not otherwise be apparent.
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Pederasty Rape Fantasies by S. Chando, M. Levand, E. Love, and S. McMillan Sex Work by Libby Gilbertson and Sarah McMurchie; Damiene Denner, Isabel Kaufman, and Ashley Netanel Pornography Exotic Dancing by Amanda Nicholson, Heather Richards, Kristin Chapman, and Lorin Clay

Asia

 * China
 * Urban China
 * Japan
 * India
 * Vietnam
 * Thailand
 * Nepal

Middle East

 * Iran
 * Afghanistan
 * Abu-Dhabi
 * Jordan
 * Turkey

Oceania

 * The Asmat of New Guinea--by Charles Wampold
 * Sydney
 * New Zealand

Europe

 * Amsterdam's Red Light District - by Damiene Denner
 * France
 * Ireland
 * Inis Beag Community
 * Italy
 * Netherlands
 * @Dutch Masculinity
 * United Kingdom- by E. Basler-Francis
 * Spain

United States

 * Miami, Florida
 * New Orleans, Louisiana
 * Northeast U.S.

Caribbean

 * Trinidad and Tobago
 * Haiti
 * Jamaica

Central America

 * Mexico

South America

 * Brazil

Africa

 * East Africa
 * South Africa

Transnational Cultures
Video Gaming Anarchist Fat Acceptance

Cultures of Community
BDSM

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