Talking about sexuality many times becomes a bit hard, due to the existent taboos; but that must be left in the past so we can understand the importance of a good sexual and reproductive education.
According to UNICEF, sexuality is a comprehensive part of the human being, it is present throughout his life. It includes sex, identity gender, intimacy, reproduction and sexual guidance. That is why to receive information and education in sexual health is very important to our development, because it allows us to establish better relationships and at the same time to know ourselves.
In previous ages to talk about sexuality was forbidden, but as the time and technology move forward, it makes easy to find a lot of information through the mass media, that way and using the internet in a useful way in this blog we will know a little bit about the sexual diversity that in the actuality has become a bit complex and has come to brake the old stereotypes of men and women.
What is sexual diversity?
The sexual diversity consist in the differences within the sexual guidance, in fact, commonly is used one simple classification or for orientations: straight heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual and transsexual. (Diversidad Sexual, 2016)
HETEROSEXUAL
Any person who is exclusively attracted to people of another sex (male/female).
HOMOSEXUAL
This is a clinical/medical term, first devised in the late 19th century, to define a person who is emotional, physically and/or sexually attracted to people of the same sex. Many queer people find this term offensive because of its historical associations with deviance, criminality and mental illness. For example Gays and lesbians.
GAY
A widespread and accepted term, 'gay' refers to someone who is attracted to the same gender. It is used primarily in relation to men but is also in common use among women.
LESBIAN
A widespread and accepted term for a woman who is primarily emotionally, physically and/or sexually attracted to women.
BISEXUAL
A person who is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to people of more than one sex (but not necessarily attracted to each equally or with the same intensity).
TRANSSEXUAL
A person who is biologically a member of one sex who identifies as a member of the opposite sex. Some transsexual people choose to identify as transgender, others do not. (University, s.f.)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW5BHYKKqlQTo accept these types of orientations hasn’t been easy to the society, nevertheless due to the effort of lots of movements that fight against discrimination and outrages towards these kinds of sexual orientation, the prejudices have begun to get over and people have started to accept and to respect the sexual orientation that each person prefers.
But to know and accept in a better way these situations is necessary to build a society with firmed rights and a different education in which can exist trust, empathy and interest, things that are necessary to know and respect the own sexuality and the other’s one.
At adolescence period, the parents play a determining role in the sexual education of their children. It is recommendable that they can speak with the teens in a good way, leaving in the past fears, fantasies and taboos about sexuality with the purpose of teenagers can understand better the changes that experience in that phase of their life, the importance of the self-knowledge, emotions’ control, taking decisions and how if they don’t take care at the moment to have sex with another person, they could run the risk to have an unwanted pregnancy, to contract any sexually transmitted infection (STIs), even they could have their heart broken, which can lead them to consume drugs and alcohol.
These and another topics must be known by the parents as the teenagers to make conscience about the complex that implies to talk about sexuality, and can deal it with maturity and responsibly.
Most of the people think to talk about sexuality means to be perverted, but it doesn’t, always and when it is made with the purpose to learn, that is why to know relating to the topics mentioned before contributes to the teenagers develop, responsible and attitudes to decide over their own bodies.
A very important decision at the moment to begin sex active life is to use the contraceptive methods to avoid unwanted pregnancy and contract sexually transmitted illness. Some contraceptive methods are:
CONTROL IMPLANT
The birth control implant is a thin, flexible plastic implant about the size of a cardboard matchstick. It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It protects against pregnancy for up to three years. The implant is available under the brand names Implanon and Nexplanon.
BIRTH CONTROL PATCH
The birth control patch is a thin, beige, plastic patch that sticks to the skin. It's used to prevent pregnancy. A new patch is placed on the skin once a week for three weeks in a row, followed by a patch-free week.
BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
Birth control pills are a kind of medication that women can take daily to prevent pregnancy. They are also sometimes called “the pill” or oral contraception.
BIRTH CONTROL SHOT (DEPO-PROVERA)
The birth control shot is an injection of a hormone that prevents pregnancy. Each shot prevents pregnancy for three months.
BIRTH CONTROL SPONGE (TODAY SPONGE)
The sponge is made of plastic foam and contains spermicide. It is soft, round, and about two inches in diameter. It has a nylon loop attached to the bottom for removal. It is inserted deep into the vagina before intercourse.
BIRTH CONTROL VAGINAL RING (NUVARING)
The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring a woman inserts into her vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week each month.
BREASTFEEDING AS BIRTH CONTROL
CERVICAL CAP (FEMCAP)
The cervical cap is a silicone cup shaped like a sailor's hat. You insert it into your vagina and over your cervix.
CONDOM
Condoms are thin, stretchy pouches that you wear on your penis during sex. Condoms provide great protection from both pregnancy and STDs. They’re easy to use and easy to get.
DIAPHRAGM
The diaphragm (DIE ah fram) is a shallow, dome-shaped cup with a flexible rim. It is made of silicone. You insert it into the vagina. When it is in place, it covers the cervix.
FEMALE CONDOM
The female condom is a pouch that is used during intercourse to prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. It has flexible rings at each end. Just before vaginal intercourse, it is inserted deep into the vagina. The ring at the closed end holds the pouch in the vagina. The ring at the open end stays outside the vaginal opening during intercourse. And during anal intercourse, it is inserted into the anus.
IUD
The letters IUD stand for "intrauterine device." IUDs are small, "T-shaped" devices made of flexible plastic. A health care provider inserts an IUD into a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy.
MORNING-AFTER PILL (EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION)
Emergency contraception is a safe way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Take an emergency contraceptive pill (AKA the morning-after pill) within 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex.
STERILIZATION FOR WOMEN (TUBAL STERILIZATION)
Sterilization is a form of birth control. All sterilization procedures are meant to be permanent. During a sterilization procedure, a health care provider closes or blocks a woman's fallopian tubes. Closing the tubes can be done in several ways.
- See more at https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/sterilization-women#sthash.weRXRd5H.dpuf
Once knowing each method, is the decision of each person to choose the most appropriate to him or herself.
In conclusion to talk about sexuality is not easy, but it is necessary to learn and get along in a responsible and secure way at the moment to start a sex active life, knowing previous the important factors to keep in mind and as well as to know the consequences that can cause do not obey the recommendations.
