Adolescent Relationships - Essay Example

Journal In growing up, no one mentioned anything about sexuality, not even my parents. I remember my dad ever telling me that girls are dangerous are should watch out. That was when I was in k-5. I had no idea about sexuality and only discovered it from classroom biology lessons. As I became an adolescent and started realizing change occurring in my body, and even noticed change in some girls in class, I started becoming shy thinking something was wrong. It is upto when I reached freshman is when I came to appreciate the opposite sex through peer influence. I started getting interested in sex after hearing some of my friends telling stories of sexual encounters with older girls. This ignited a flame in me to want try it, though got a chance while in campus. From coming from a religion background, my parents expected me not to be associated with immorality, to them implied walking around with girls (Hill 23). In high school, I never shared any information about my girlfriend to my parents as I feared what they would say since they were very religious and associated girlfriends with failure. They had high expectations of me and wanted me to become a doctor in future, so coming home with such a story was an abomination to them. In the society which I grew up, it was not easy to find adolescent relationships in the open as they were regarded as too young to be in love. I remember a friend of mine being punished for being spotted with a girlfriend by his parent. Therefore, such relationships were always kept secret. Journal 2 (Gender and sex) I was always a shy person as I grew up and feared associating with girls. I had a lot of male friends while in primary school and knew that the opposite sex was not people to interact with. My perception about girls was far much worsened by my father who constantly reminded me that girls were evil. As I entered high school, I started getting aroused by seeing the female students. I started to become sexually attracted to them and even started being cautious with my dressing and behaviors since I had already one in mind. The process of courtship was the hardest since I had no idea of what I was to say. The worst part, came when I had a chance to get romantic with my girlfriend, I was too afraid to make out (Hill 78). Imagine, I had to sort help about what sex entails in a relationship from the senior students in the school who had already experienced it. In relating it to the chapter, I realized that sexuality is something which someone learns partly from influence and the rest from experience. I also learnt that there are many gender relationships that exist apart from boy girl relationship. Journal 3 (Psychological approach to abnormal human sexual behavior) In this chapter, I had a chance to learn about abnormal human sexual behavior. In the society, abnormal refers to that which is not normal based on that culture. In the America society, there are sexual behaviors which are regarded as abnormal. Take for instance, the issue of pedophilia. Pedophiles are people who are aware of the repercussions which their sexual fetish will lead them, but still continue to engage in them. Understanding the psychology why people develop this abnormal sexual behavior is key in understanding why they choose to take that part, another abnormal sexual behavior in society is rape. Sex by definition is supposed to be an encounter between two consenting people. When one is forced to indulge into sex without consenting, then it turns to rape. Rape is something which is not accepted in the society. When dealing with this abnormal sexual behavior, it is always wise to tackle them psychologically since sex usually begins with the mind before turning into sexual gratification (Hill 78). Journal 4 (Socialization and sex) Humans are expected to socialize so as to gratify their sexual needs through meeting new people who satisfy their needs. In life, in order for one to get a boyfriend or girlfriend, or wife or husband, one has to pass through the process of socialization. Through socialization, one is able to know about the other party and dig deeper into their lives. Socialization is what defines as to be human beings. In socialization, one requires social skills which take quite some mental and physical process to execute them. Therefore, socialization is key to humans as it is helps them in developing and shaping their community and personality roles. One is able to become a product of whom he or she socializes with. Furthermore, as one grows up, it is through socialization that people learn some things from the society (Hill 89). One is able to differentiate between bad and good things in society through social interaction with others. In socialization, one is able to share, learn, and communicate to his or her peers or elders. Based on human sexuality, it is through socialization that people are able to get consenting partners in life. Journal 5 In filling out the sexual history questionnaire, I realized quite a number of things from it. While feeling it, there are some questions which I found embarrassing and tried to fill in a neutral manner. In as much as the questions were direct, I believe they elicited a strong feeling about my sexual history and I started thinking about it. I realized that I have perceived sex and sexuality in a bad way while I grew up. I now understand that sexuality is something which should be embraced and appreciate as it provides one with confidence and a chance to express one self. In addition, I came to realize that there are some sexual questions which proved difficult for me to answer since I did not have an idea of what they were asking (Hill 43). I know sex is an experience though everyone perceives it differently based on the society and culture which one comes from. In filling the sexual history questionnaire, I realized I have not been that sexual active since I have had one girlfriend since my high school days and would not have experienced the concept of variety of sexual partners. In as much I feel ashamed about that, I know it is the right thing to stick to one partner based on our cultural norm. I believe sex is something which should be shared by two loving partners and not objectified to involve more than 2. My experience of filling the questionnaire hence was not that bad. Journal 6 In the current world, there are some sexual norms which never existed as I grew up. First of all, nowadays, children are young as high schools are known to have girlfriends and boyfriends and tell their parents about that. As I grew up, the society did not condone high school boyfriend and girlfriend relationship in the open as they were regarded as immorality at an underage. As I grew up too, the society had little tolerance on issues regarding homosexuality, transgender, and interracial relationships. These days, the society has become more tolerant to these groups and even introduced lobbyists to fight against their rights. People have more freedom to express their sexuality nowadays than when I grew up due to more understanding about human sexuality (Hill 13). After passing through the human sexuality class, I came to appreciate that there is a difference in how different people and societies perceive human sexuality. Take for instance, the issue of Gay rights in Europe and Uganda, Europe understands and fights for the rights for the rights of this group, whereas Uganda despises are punishes gay people. My perception in regard to sexuality and sex has been influenced by the class to an extent that am now able to make good judgment and teach others the knowledge gained. Works Cited Hill, Craig A. Human Sexuality: Personality and Social Psychological Perspectives. New York: SAGE Publications, 2008. Read More