Sexual Expression Blog

What is Sexual Expression

Used to describe not only sexual activities we engage in but ways we communicate and present ourselves to the world as a sexual being.

Why is Sexual Expression Important?

It can impact your health

Less publicized studies suggest that both masturbation and partnered sexual activity may enhance our well-being in many ways: fostering happiness, immunity, longevity, pain management, and sexual and reproductive health (Trudel et al., 2000). Some studies even suggest that sexual activity may be associated with reducing the risk of the two leading causes of death in the U.S. — heart disease and cancer (Ebrahim et al., 2002; Petridou et al., 2000).

What does Sexual Expression look like Private and in Public?

• Individual expression: choices you make in terms of how you dress, talk, or move through the world that reflect aspects of your sexual self.
• Consumer behavior: where you shop and what you buy may express parts of your sexuality.
• Political engagement: not just who you vote for, but what sorts of organizations you support can be a way of expressing your sexuality.
• Spirituality: whether that means that sex is a form of spiritual practice or that your practice of religion or spirituality is tied to how you feel about yourself as sexual.

Public:

• Interpersonal interactions: the way you relate to others, and the extent to which you connect physically or emotionally with other people can say a lot about who you are sexually.
• Cultural/educational engagement: the kinds of things you read, the movies and TV you watch, the music you listen to, the performances you choose to go to or participate in.
• Political engagement: not just who you vote for, but what sorts of organizations you support can be a way of expressing your sexuality.
• Spirituality: whether that means that sex is a form of spiritual practice or that your practice of religion or spirituality is tied to how you feel about yourself as sexual.

https://www.liveabout.com/sexual-expression-2982575

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/3413/9611/7801/Benefits_Sex_07_07.pdf

5 COMPONENTS OF SEXUALITY

One component of the model is sexualization, which is the use of the body to influence, control, and manipulate others. Sexualization includes sexual teasing, flirting, seduction, sexual harassment, rape, and sexual misuse.

Another component of the model is sexual identity. As defined by Dailey, sexual identity is one’s sense of self as a sexual being and how one may live or is identified. This component of the model includes gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender roles.

A third component of the model is health and sexual reproduction, which is often the foundation of sexuality education. The circles of sexuality model expands beyond the basic understanding of sexuality for procreation and includes contraception, fertility management, infertility, abortion, menopause, and sexually transmitted diseases.

The fourth component of the circles of sexuality model is intimacy, which Dailey describes as the need and ability to experience emotional closeness to another human being and to have this closeness reciprocated.

Finally, this model includes sensuality, which is the need and ability to accept one’s body as an erotic possibility and sexual entity. The components of sensuality include body image, anatomy, skin hunger, the sexual response cycle, and attraction. (https://www.ncmedicaljournal.com/content/ncm/77/6/430.full.pdf)

WHY IS SEXUALITY IMPORTANT?

Sexuality is an integral part of being human. Love, affection, and sexual intimacy contribute to healthy relationships and individual well-being. But along with the positive aspects of our human sexuality, there also are illnesses, mixed emotions and unintended consequences that can affect our sexual health. (https://speakingofwomenshealth.com/health-library/the-importance-of-sexual-health#:~:text=Sexuality%20is%20an%20integral%20part,can%20affect%20our%20sexual%20health.)

WHY IS SEXUAL HEALTH IMPORTANT?

Sexual health is the ability to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives. It is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Being sexually healthy means: Understanding that sexuality is a natural part of life and involves more than sexual behavior. (http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/sexual-health/#:~:text=Sexual%20health%20is%20the%20ability,involves%20more%20than%20sexual%20beha