Because sexuality is culturally specific, definitions and language may differ from culture to culture and community to community. It is important that program planners and providers explore and understand what these terms mean in their own communities, languages, and cultures.
Sexuality. Human sexuality encompasses the sexual knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, values, and behaviors of individuals. Its dimensions include the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the sexual response system; identity, orientation, roles and personality; and thoughts, feelings, and relationships. The expression of sexuality is influenced by ethical, spiritual, cultural, and moral concerns.
Sexual Health. The World Health Organization defines sexual health as "the integration of the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of sexual being in ways that are positively enriching, and that enhance personality, communication, and love…every person has a right to receive sexual information and to consider sexual relationships for pleasure as well as for pleasure as well as for procreation."
Sexually Healthy Adult. Sexually healthy adults appreciate their body, take responsibility for their behaviors, communicate with both sexes in respectful ways, and express love and intimacy consistent with their own values. SIECUS has worked with non-governmental organizations around the world to develop a consensus about the life behaviors and characteristics of a sexually healthy adult. In such different countries as Brazil, Nigeria, Russia, and the United States, groups have affirmed a similar vision of a sexually healthy adult.
Sexually Healthy Relationship. A sexually healthy relationship is based on shared values and has five characteristics: it is consensual, non-exploitative, honest, mutually pleasurable and protected against unintended pregnancy and sexuality transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS.
Sexual Rights. The rights of individuals to have the information, education, skills, support and services they need to make responsible decisions about their sexuality consistent with their own values. These include the right to bodily integrity, voluntary sexual relationships, a full range of voluntary accessible sexual and reproductive health services, and the ability to express one’s sexual orientations without violence or discrimination.
Sexuality Education. Sexuality education is the lifelong process of acquiring information and forming attitudes, beliefs, and values about identity, relationships, and intimacy. It encompasses sexual development, reproductive health, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, body image, and gender roles. Sexuality education addresses the biological, socio-cultural, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of sexuality.
Sex. An individual's biological status as male or female.
Sexology. The science of sexuality.
Sexosophy. The cultural understanding of sexuality.
Sexual Dysfunction. The inability to react emotionally and/or physically to sexual stimulation in a way expected of the average healthy person or according to one’s own standards. Sexual dysfunctions may affect various stages in the sexual response cycle – desire, excitement, and orgasm. They have a wide range of psychological, physiological, or combined origins and may be either primary or secondary. Most men and women at one time or another experience some sort of sexual dysfunction.
Sexual Identity. An inner sense of oneself as a sexual being, including how one identifies in terms of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Sexual Intercourse. Penetrative sexual behaviors, including oral sex, anal sex, and penile-vaginal sex.
Sexual Orientation. One’s erotic, romantic, and affectional attraction to people of the same sex, to the opposite sex, or to both sexes.
Bisexuality. Erotic, romantic, and affectional attraction to people of both sexes.
Heterosexuality. Erotic, romantic, and affectional attraction to people of the opposite sex.
Homosexuality. Erotic, romantic, and affectional attraction to people of the same sex.
Gender. One’s personal, social, and/or legal status as a male or a female. Words that describe gender are feminine or masculine.
Gender Identity. The internal sense of being male or female.
Gender Role. The public expression of one’s gender identity. Gender role may also refer to cultural expectations of male and female behaviors.
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