It is thought that patterns of sexual orientation and behavior develop through the interaction of many factors: biological, social, cultural, and psychological. The process is called psycho-sexual development. Our society sends many powerful and contradictory messages about sexuality. Those messages focus heavily on either encouraging or discouraging sexual activity. Rarely do those messages acknowledge the pleasure component to healthy sexual expression, choosing instead to strongly present messages of risk and negative outcomes.
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Social norms influence definitions of normalcy and abnormally. In present-day Western culture, sex is judged by fundamental standards that include two-person heterosexuality, focus on coitus, expectation of orgasm and romantic feelings, and degree of safety. The concept of normalcy can be determined by statistical norms, prevailing expert opinion (such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), or moral standards perpetuated by religion and law, or as part of a more flexible continuum (Kelly, 2015).
Normalcy isa relative concept.
Questions to Consider
As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment. Teenage pregnancy continues to be a problem in the United States, creating consequences fourteen parents and for the larger society, although rates of teen pregnancy have mostly been decreasing in recent years. • What are the potential consequences fourteen parents and for the larger society? • What rights do teen fathers have? • What effect, if any, has the media had on teenage pregnancy?
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