Like any other human basic need, sex is essential in people's lives. Not only does it look at reproduction but also the human actions towards it. Sexual behavior is usually determined by the inherited responses that are meant for reproduction, which distinguishes people and animals as either male or female. Heterosexual copulation involves the movement of sperms from male to a female to fertilize the ova; thus, reproduction occurs.In spite of its importance, sexual behavior is paid less attention to regarding research. However, some experiments have been conducted on animal sexual behavior than human, so people base on search research to make conclusions of what occurs in people. The physical anatomy and reproduction, sexual response cycle (the brain plus hormones) and differentiation constitute the biology of sexual behavior although there are risky behaviors and misunderstandings associated with it.
Physical Anatomy and Reproduction
Several species are anatomically similar although they have various physical ways of performing sexual acts for purposes of procreation.In female anatomy, the genitals are referred to as the vulva that consists of labia majora, clitoris, mons veneris, labia minora, urethral and vaginal opening. The internal reproductive organs include uterus, vagina, ovaries and fallopian tubes (Abduljabbar, 2015). Apparently, females are born with eggs already produced; the uterus holds the developing fetus after passing the male sperm to the fallopian tubes. Besides, there is always a monthly reproductive cycle where an egg is released and is transferred to the uterus. If the egg meets with sperm, it is fertilized, but if it does not, then it is released out in what one term as menstruation.
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In male anatomy, they also have both external and internal genitalia just like the females. The male genitals are referred to as the testicles and penis, which produce sperms as well as semen. Ideally, these two fluids can result into a zygote in case sexual activity takes place between a man and woman. Seemingly, the zygote develops into a fetus that is later on born as a child. Unlike the female ovulation cycle, the male sperm production produces millions of sperms consistently on a daily basis.
Sexual Response Cycle
The model explains the physiological responses that occur during sexual intercourse.One experiences excitement where the inner person motivates them to have sex, the orgasm state is then set whereby tension is released leading to the resolution state (unaroused state beforehand). Ultimately, libido is referred to as the sensual motivation one has for sexual activity and it usually determined by psychological, biological and social factors (Levin, 2017).Apparently, sex hormones control the drive for sexual behaviors although the social factors like family, work and the psychological factors such as stress and personality also impact on sensual activities. Sometimes medical conditions, pregnancy, stress, and relationships influence the motivation of sex either positively or negatively.
The Brain and Sex
The brain translates nerve impulses from the skin into pleasurable feelings. The brain controls the muscles and nerves as well as regulates hormone release during sexual intercourse. Furthermore, the cerebral cortex allows reasoning and thinking to take place, which is believed that sexual thoughts emerge from there. Correspondingly, the limbic system is beneath the cortex that comprises of the hippocampus, septal area, amygdala, cingulate gyrus and it is where the feelings plus emotions originate. Apparently, the hypothalamus is an essential part of the brain for sexual activity. Experiments done on lab animals indicate that any damage done on the hypothalamus can cause one to erase the feeling of sexual behavior. Luckily, humans can control their sexual urge unlike the animals or other mammals, but still, the influence drives them to erotic feelings till they are fulfilled.
Hormones
The pituitary gland secretes vital hormones like oxytocin during sexual activity usually when an orgasm is reached. It is believed that the hormone is concerned with maintaining close relations and it is produced when females are giving birth or during breast feeding. Fundamentally, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is responsible for egg maturity in females during ovulation, and for the males, it stimulates sperm production. For the males, testosterone is the contributing factor to sexual drive, vasopressin helps them to be aroused and if extra of it is produced then the motivation is increased. Progesterone and estrogen regulate sexual motivation in women by increasing and decreasing during the menstrual cycle through additional research should be done to investigate the relationship of the hormones.
Sexual Differentiation
The hormones and chromosomes determine gender differentiation in the human body. Evidently, males comprise of two sex chromosomes that are to say the X and Y whereas the females are characterized with two X chromosomes (Numan, 2015).Therefore, sexual differentiation occurs when the Y chromosome is either absent or present.Nonexistence of the Y chromosome indicates the off spring is a female and in its presence, it is a male. The differentiation usually occurs during the development of the fetus that is in the uterus. The Mullerian Inhibiting Factor (MIF) suppresses any development of female organs in case the Y chromosome has shown its presence. Testosterone arouses the development of male reproductive and male genitalia and links with the central nervous system to create patterns of male behavior at later stages of development. As a result, the suppression indicates that clear differentiation is accomplished to show that one is either female or male.
However, there are some pressures associated with belonging to a biological minority. Sometimes, people identify as being lesbian or gay, and the majority that is heterosexual tend to discriminate or judge them because of their sexuality. On the other hand, one cannot be sure whether homosexuals belong to the biological minority since there is less research about it. Some individuals fear coming out to identify as homosexuals because of the stereo types associated with it. Consequently, the minority are displayed with discrimination, maltreatment by the heterosexuals; hence, resulting in mental health.
Risky Sexual Behavior
Sexuality is part of humans and development so, at the adolescent stage, young people tend to engage in physical, sexual activity since they feel mature. Sex is usually a complicated topic to discuss between the youth as well as the adults. Consequently, not talking about it to make a viable decision can result in contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and candida. Remarkably, STDs can affect the sexual drive of humans if left untreated. Still, indulging in sexual behavior without caution results to unwanted pregnancies especially to the young who are not yet fully ready to be mothers. Correspondingly, incurable diseases are also contracted HIV, hepatitis B, and these viruses are permanent in one’s well-being, which becomes quite destructing to their overall health (Goldman et al., 2004).
Misunderstandings of Sexual Behavior
These are about sexual harassment of both sexes and its based on other people’s views. First, people think it is only the women are harassed, yet it is not the case; any gender can fall a victim of harassment or be the culprit. Second, people are meant to believe that harassment is always between males and females yet it can befall people of the same gender (Ortmann & Sprott, 2012).Third, harassment is linked to touching, but sometimes people may talk and imply that it was a joke. Nevertheless, it has offended someone. Fourth, culture comes in to judge women’s sexuality where females are seen as sexual objects and should be submissive as well as loyal to their husbands. Apparently, a man seen with lots of women is associated with pride and shows his masculinity.
Ultimately, people assume that it is only strangers who assault or rape a victim. Sometimes, that is not the case, because offenders always know their victims. They could be a family member or friend to them, teacher or any other individual that is always in touch with the victim. Moreover, women are always misunderstood when they dress up; people think it is to flirt or invite the male species to provoke them to rape. Nevertheless, men see such dress code, talk to ladies in skimpy clothes but do not abuse them. As a result, such conduct is intrinsic in one’s behavior and are not provoked.
To summarize, the biology of sexual behavior surrounds itself with sexual responses that are related to reproduction. In the physical anatomy, females are characterized with genitals termed as the vulva, for the males called the testes and penis. These two components are relevant in reproduction or procreation. The sex of a person is determined through hormones plus chromosomes where estrogen is responsible in women and testosterone in men. Males bear the XY chromosome whereas the females have the XX, so if the Y is absent the result will be the formation of male species. Unfortunately, people indulge in risky sexual behavior without thinking; thus, contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancies. Ultimately, there are misunderstandings related to sexual behavior that is mostly to do with sexual harassments and cultural differences on how sexuality is viewed. Therefore, people and animals are genetically determined by hormones and chromosomes through procreation.
References
Abduljabbar, H. S. (2015). Reproductive and Sexual Anatomy. Anatomy & Physiology , s5 . doi:10.4172/2161-0940.s5-002
Goldman, D., Lakdawalla, D., & Sood, N. (2004). HIV Breakthroughs and Risky Sexual Behavior . Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research.
Levin, R. J. (2017). The Human Sexual Response Cycle. The Textbook of Clinical Sexual Medicine , 39-51. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-52539-6_4
Numan, M. (2015). Sexual Behaviors and Sexual Differentiation. Neurobiology of Social Behavior , 109-164. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-416040-8.00004-3
Ortmann, D. M., & Sprott, R. A. (2012). Sexual Outsiders: Understanding BDSM Sexualities and Communities . Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
