Katherine Frank | |
---|---|
Academic background | |
Education | Duke University (PhD) |
Academic work | |
Discipline | anthropology |
Sub-discipline | human sexuality |
Institutions | University of Nevada,Las Vegas |
Website | http://www.katefrank.com/ |
Katherine Frank is an American anthropologist and Affiliate Research Faculty Researcher in Department of Sociology at the University of Nevada,Las Vegas. [1] She is known for her works on human sexuality. [2] [3]
Bi-curious is a term for a person,usually someone who is a self-identified heterosexual,who is curious or open about engaging in sexual activity with a person whose sex differs from that of their usual sexual partners. The term is sometimes used to describe a broad continuum of sexual orientation between heterosexuality and bisexuality. Such continuums include mostly heterosexual or mostly homosexual,but these can be self-identified without identifying as bisexual. The terms heteroflexible and homoflexible are mainly applied to bi-curious people,though some authors distinguish heteroflexibility and homoflexibility as lacking the "wish to experiment with sexuality" implied by the bi-curious label. It is important when discussing this continuum to conclude that bisexuality is distinct from heterosexuality and homosexuality rather than simply an extension of said sexualities like the labels heteroflexibility and homoflexibility would imply,due to the prominent erasure and assimilation of bisexuality into other identity groups. To sum it up,the difference between bisexual and bicurious is that bisexual people know that they are sexually attracted to both genders based on personal experience. Bicurious people are still maneuvering their way through their sexuality.
Queer theory is a field of post-structuralist critical theory that emerged in the early 1990s out of queer studies and women's studies. The term "queer theory" is broadly associated with the study and theorization of gender and sexual practices that exist outside of heterosexuality,and which challenge the notion that heterosexuality is what is normal. Following social constructivist developments in sociology,queer theorists are often critical of what they consider essentialist views of sexuality and gender. Instead,they study those concepts as social and cultural phenomena,often through an analysis of the categories,binaries,and language in which they are said to be portrayed.
Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others,or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. It may be considered a sexual orientation or the lack thereof. It may also be categorized more widely,to include a broad spectrum of asexual sub-identities.
The sex-positive movement is a social and philosophical movement that seeks to change cultural attitudes and norms around sexuality,promoting the recognition of sexuality as a natural and healthy part of the human experience and emphasizing the importance of personal sovereignty,safer sex practices,and consensual sex. It covers every aspect of sexual identity including gender expression,orientation,relationship to the body,relationship-style choice,and reproductive rights. Sex-positivity is "an attitude towards human sexuality that regards all consensual sexual activities as fundamentally healthy and pleasurable,encouraging sexual pleasure and experimentation." It challenges societal taboos and aims to promote healthy and consensual sexual activities. The sex-positive movement also advocates for comprehensive sex education and safe sex as part of its campaign. The movement generally makes no moral distinctions among types of sexual activities,regarding these choices as matters of personal preference.
Sexual behaviors in children are common,and may range from normal and developmentally appropriate to abusive. These behaviors may include self-stimulation,interest in sex,curiosity about their own or other genders,exhibitionism,voyeurism,gender role behaviors,and engagement in interpersonal sexual acts.
A sexual fantasy or erotic fantasy is an autoerotic mental image or pattern of thought that stirs a person's sexuality and can create or enhance sexual arousal. A sexual fantasy can be created by the person's imagination or memory,and may be triggered autonomously or by external stimulation such as erotic literature or pornography,a physical object,or sexual attraction to another person. Anything that may give rise to sexual arousal may also produce a sexual fantasy,and sexual arousal may in turn give rise to fantasies.
Heteroflexibility is a form of a sexual orientation or situational sexual behavior characterized by minimal homosexual activity in an otherwise primarily heterosexual orientation,which may or may not distinguish it from bisexuality. It has been characterized as "mostly straight". Although sometimes equated with bi-curiosity to describe a broad continuum of sexual orientation between heterosexuality and bisexuality,other authors distinguish heteroflexibility as lacking the "wish to experiment with ... sexuality" implied by the bi-curious label. The corresponding situation in which homosexual activity predominates has also been described,termed homoflexibility.
Heteroflexibility is a form of a sexual orientation or situational sexual behavior characterized by minimal homosexual activity in an otherwise primarily heterosexual orientation,which may or may not distinguish it from bisexuality. It has been characterized as "mostly straight". Although sometimes equated with bi-curiosity to describe a broad continuum of sexual orientation between heterosexuality and bisexuality,other authors distinguish heteroflexibility as lacking the "wish to experiment with ... sexuality" implied by the bi-curious label. The corresponding situation in which homosexual activity predominates has also been described,termed homoflexibility.
India has developed its discourse on sexuality differently based on its distinct regions with their own unique cultures. According to R.P. Bhatia,a New Delhi psychoanalyst and psychotherapist,middle-class India's "very strong repressive attitude" has made it impossible for many married couples to function well sexually,or even to function at all.
Michael Alan Messner is an American sociologist. His main areas of research are gender and the sociology of sports. He is the author of several books,he gives public speeches and teaches on issues of gender-based violence,the lives of men and boys,and gender and sports.
Sexual capital or erotic capital or sexual market value is the social power an individual or group accrues as a result of their sexual attractiveness and social charm. It enables social mobility independent of class origin because sexual capital is convertible,and may be useful in acquiring other forms of capital,including social capital and economic capital.
The relationship between nudity and sexuality can be complicated. When people are nude,this often leads to sexual arousal,which is why indecent exposure is often considered a crime. There are also social movements to promote a greater degree of nudity,such as the topfreedom movement to promote female toplessness,as well as the movement to promote breastfeeding in public. Furthermore,some psychiatric disorders that can lead to greater nudity include exhibitionistic disorder,voyeuristic disorder,and gymnophobia.
Ronald Weitzer is an American sociologist specializing in criminology and a professor at George Washington University,known for his publications on police-minority relations and on the sex industry.
Sexual repression is a state in which a person is prevented from expressing their own sexuality or sexual orientation. Sexual repression can be caused by an emotional conflict,in which a person feels guilt,shame,or distress regarding their natural sexual impulses. These feelings of emotional distress can be exacerbated by outside factors,such as family,religion,and peer pressure. Sexual repression is often synonymous with internalized homophobia,in which a gay,lesbian,or bisexual person feels the need to suppress their own homosexual impulses and conform to heterosexual norms. Sexual repression can also be caused by external oppression,in which the laws of a society prevent someone from expressing their sexuality freely.
Human female sexuality encompasses a broad range of behaviors and processes,including female sexual identity and sexual behavior,the physiological,psychological,social,cultural,political,and spiritual or religious aspects of sexual activity. Various aspects and dimensions of female sexuality,as a part of human sexuality,have also been addressed by principles of ethics,morality,and theology. In almost any historical era and culture,the arts,including literary and visual arts,as well as popular culture,present a substantial portion of a given society's views on human sexuality,which includes both implicit (covert) and explicit (overt) aspects and manifestations of feminine sexuality and behavior.
Feminist views on BDSM vary widely from acceptance to rejection. BDSM refers to bondage and discipline,dominance and submission,and Sado-Masochism. In order to evaluate its perception,two polarizing frameworks are compared. Some feminists,such as Gayle Rubin and Patrick Califia,perceive BDSM as a valid form of expression of female sexuality,while other feminists,such as Andrea Dworkin and Susan Griffin,have stated that they regard BDSM as a form of woman-hating violence. Some lesbian feminists practice BDSM and regard it as part of their sexual identity.
Slut-shaming is the practice of criticizing people who violate expectations of behavior and appearance regarding issues related to sexuality. It may also be used in reference to gay men,who may face disapproval for promiscuous sexual behaviors. Gender-based violence primarily affecting women can be a result of slut-shaming. The term is commonly used to reclaim the word slut and empower women to have agency over their own sexuality.
Gendered sexuality is the way in which gender and sexuality are often viewed as likened constructs,whereby the role of gender in an individual's life is informed by and impacts others' perceptions of their sexuality. For example,both the male and female genders are subject to assumptions of heterosexuality. If a man were to behave in feminine ways,his heterosexuality would be doubted,and individuals may assume that he is gay.
LGBT migration is the movement of lesbian,gay,bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people around the world or within one country. LGBT individuals choose to migrate so as to escape discrimination,bad treatment and negative attitudes due to their sexuality,including homophobia and transphobia. These people are inclined to be marginalized and face socio-economic challenges in their home countries. Globally and domestically,many LGBT people attempt to leave discriminatory regions in search of more tolerant ones.
Sharon Lamb is an American professor in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston's,College of Education and Human Development,and a fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA). She also sits on the editorial board of the academic journals Feminism &Psychology, and Sexualization,Media,and Society.