TOPIC 3

S.O. 3.3
 Subject Outcomes
3.3 Describe human sexuality within relationships

Learning Outcomes
3.3.1 Describe the biological/physiological differences between
females and males.
3.3.2 Compare and describe gender roles, responsibilities and
behaviour within relationships.
3.3.3 Identify situations that are likely to lead to risky sexual
encounters and behaviour.
Range: date rape, unwanted pregnancies and STIs including
HIV.
3.3.4 Explain how to avoid risky situations and make informed and
responsible decisions in terms of sexuality and relationships.
 Learning Outcomes
3.3.1 Describe the biological/physiological differences between
females and males.
MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
MEN AND WOMEN:
We know that men and women are different, in terms omen have:
• Smaller bodies.
• Shorter legs.
• Narrower rib cages.
• Wider hips and smaller shoulders.
• NOTE: A woman’s body has less volume of blood and a proportionally less quantity of red blood cells.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND
WOMEN WITH REGARDS TO Osteoarthritis – when
DISEASES: flexible tissue at the ends
of bones wears down.
• More men become infected with HIV. Common symptom is joint
pains in hands, neck, lower
• More men are likely to be diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). back, knees or hips.
• Women are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular (heart) disease. Osteoporosis – when bones
• Men are more likely to suffer from cancer. become weak and brittle.
• Women are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and blindness.
 Learning Outcomes
3.3.2 Compare and describe gender roles, responsibilities and
behaviour within relationships.
WHAT ARE GENDER ROLES?

Behaviours, values and attitudes learned by a person as appropriate to their

gender.
For example, traditionally, males are seen as the provider for the family and
females are seen as the caretakers of the home and the family.
HOW ARE GENDER ROLES FORMED?
It all starts at home with parents/legal guardians. They are known as our first teachers, they are there
from our beginning. Many parents/legal guardians still hold the traditional definitions of males and
females. Thus, treating their baby boys and baby girls differently.
oParents/legal guardians tend to respond more quickly to an infant daughter’s cry than an infant
son.
oGirls are often praised for how they look.
oBoys are often praised for how strong they are.
EXAMPLES OF TRADITIONAL
GENDER ROLES AND STEREOTYPES:
MEN WOMEN
Boys play with cars. Girls play with dolls.

Men become doctors. Women become nurses.

Men want careers. Women want to stay at home and take care of the
family.

Men do well in Mathematics and Science. Females do well in English, Art and Music.
GENDER ROLES: BEHAVIOUR IN
RELATIONSHIPS
There are three ways to respond in relationships:

This is when
These people
people want
usually just ‘go
their own
with the flow’.
way not
They either say
caring about
nothing or do
how others
nothing and
feel.
ignore the
When people stick up for
situation.
themselves but still
consider others.
 ♥ Listen and be listened to.

RESPONSIBILITIES ♥ Be honest and expect honesty.

♥ Share your feelings and expect

IN A your partner to share theirs.

♥ Disagree and allow for

RELATIONSHIP disagreement.
♥ Be fair and expect to be treated
fairly.
♥ Give support and be supported.
♥ Forgive and expect forgiveness.
 Learning Outcomes
3.3.3 Identify situations that are likely to lead to risky sexual
encounters and behaviour.
Range: date rape, unwanted pregnancies and STIs including
HIV.
WHAT IS RISKY SEXUAL
BEHAVIOUR?

Risky sexual behaviour is exposing oneself to a negative outcome, like

an increased chance of contracting or transmitting diseases, or the
occurrence of an unwanted pregnancy.
RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS
INCLUDE:
• Having more than one sexual partner.
• Frequently changing sexual partners.
• Having sexual contact without a condom.
• Having unreliable methods of birth control or taking birth control
inconsistently.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
INFECTIONS (STIs):
STIs are transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. In order to reduce your risk of contracting an
STI, you can do the following:
Have a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected person. In other words, be sexually
active with only one person who has agreed to be only sexually active with you.
ALWAYS use a male condom, make sure that it is correctly used.
If you are sexually active, have regular check-ups for STIs especially if you have a new sexual
partner.

The best way to avoid STIs (not guaranteed), is to not be sexually active until after you are married.
(This way you know that you will only have one life-partner)
SOME OF THE MOST COMMON
STIs:
• Chlamydia – A curable STI caused by bacteria. Can be treated with antibiotics.
• Genital warts – A small bump on the genitals. Cannot be cured but can be treated.
• Genital herpes – Identified through genital pain and sores on the genitals. Cannot be cured but
can be treated.
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) - Attacks cells that help the body fight infections and
eventually leads to AIDS. Can be transmitted through infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.
Cannot be cure but can be treated.
• Hepatitis B – Spread by exposure to infected bodily fluids. It is a serious liver infection that is
more contagious than HIV. There is a vaccine available in order to prevent the spread of
Hepatitis B.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF STIs:
Painful urination
Pain during sex
Discharge from the penis or vagina
Rashes or blisters, especially around the genitals
Strong odour around the genitals
Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
DATE RAPE
• A term often referred to as acquaintance rape.
• It can happen anywhere (e.g. on a date, at a bar, or at a party). The victim may or may not know
the rapist(s).
• In most cases, ‘date rape drugs’ are used to assist in committing this kind of sexual assault. These
drugs often have no colour, they are odourless, or tasteless and is added to the victim’s drink
without his/her knowledge.
• When consuming the ‘date rape drug’, the victim becomes helpless – they cannot move and are
unable to protect themselves. The effects of these drugs might cause a victim to become physically
helpless, unable to refuse sex, and unable to remember what had happened.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
FROM DATE RAPE DRUGS:
• NEVER leave your drinks unattended.
• DO NOT accept open container drinks from anyone.
• Attend parties or visit bars with a group of friends whom you trust.
• When arriving with a group, make sure that you leave with that same group.
• Keep a lookout for your friends. If you see a friend showing symptoms of a date-rape drug then
seek medical attention immediately.
• Inform others about the effects and dangers of date-rape drugs.
WHAT TO DO WHEN SUSPECTING
DATE RAPE?
• Report the incident by calling the police and preserve the evidence (in this case you are the
evidence) – do not shower, change your clothing, or even brush your teeth – until after a
medical examination has been conducted.
• If you feel ill or you are injured, go to a hospital emergency department.
• Try not to urinate (pee) until medical/legal evidence is collected at the hospital. Upon
urination, they will be able to detect if any sedating drugs have gone through your system.
• Get emotional support and help. In most communities, you will find agencies who specialise
in sexual assault services.
UNPLANNED PREGNANCY:
This is when one or both partners are not ready to become parents.

Unplanned pregnancies occur when:

- Contraceptives (birth control) are used incorrectly.
- Contraceptives are not used.
- Lack of sexual education.
 Learning Outcomes
3.3.4 Explain how to avoid risky situations and make informed and
responsible decisions in terms of sexuality and relationships.
HOW TO AVOID RISKY SITUATIONS:
• Your friends want you to drink: To start with, under age (younger than 18) drinking is illegal. Alcohol
affects your decision making and that is why you don’t think of the consequences of your actions. If you do
not consume alcohol, then practice saying no. Make sure that you pour your own non-alcoholic beverages and
do not let anyone else hold your drinks for you. Also, never play drinking games!
• You are expected to play a risky game: Along with drinking games, there are also other games which are
played at parties. Some of these games include taking random pills/drugs and strangulation games. These
games can lead to risky sexual behaviour and some might ultimately kill you.
• Someone passes you a ‘cigarette’: To put it simply, if you do not have your own cigarettes then rather do not
smoke. People put strange substances into cigarettes.
• Your date or ride dropped you: Do not get into a car with a stranger or someone who is drunk. Find someone
who you know well and who is sober. Or contact someone you know and trust to fetch you. Honestly, public
transport cannot be trusted at night.
• Your friends are going to a secret location: The solution to this one is quite simple, DO NOT GO! In most
cases these are drug parties.