Who was Alfred Kinsey?

Alfred Kinsey (1894-1856) was a biologist and sexologist whose research became a worldwide source of information about human sexuality and new standards for sex research. He reoriented the field and moved it away from the medical model to one encompassing a variety of disciplines. His research was foundational to the field of sexology and has influenced social and cultural values all over the world.

Summary of: De Graaf, H., Verbeek, M., Van Den Borne, M., & Meijer, S. (2018b). Offline and Online Sexual Risk Behavior among Youth in the Netherlands: Findings from  “Sex under the Age of 25”. 

Summary of: Caruso, S., Agnello, C., Malandrino, C., Lo Presti, L., Cicero, C., & Cianci, S.  (2014). Do hormones influence women’s sex? Sexual activity over the  menstrual cycle. 

Summary of: Vanwesenbeeck, I. (2009). Doing gender in sex and sex research.

What areas has science focused on when it comes to mental health issues among sexual minorities?

Three different literatures need to be mentioned that have focused on identifying risk factors that put sexual minorities at risk when it comes to mental health problems:

• Psychiatric epidemiology
• Social generation of stigma through stress
• General psychological processes

Summary of: Gopaldas, A. (2013). Intersectionality 101. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing.

Summary of: Van De Bongardt, D., Yu, R., Deković, M., & Meeus, W. (2015). Romantic relationships and sexuality in adolescence and young adulthood: The role of parents, peers, and partners.

Why is sexuality education important for young people?

Sexuality is a central aspect of being human. It encompasses sexual behaviors, sexual orientations, eroticism, gender identities and reproduction. Adolescents want to learn about sex and have a right to accurate information. It is crucial to their development of identity, morality and the capacity of intimacy. Parents and peers play a socializing role, but they are not always the best at meeting the needs of the young people when it comes to sexuality education. That is why states and schools need to take this responsibility.

What is this article about?

Pregnant teenagers tell different stories about their experience. Their stories are influenced by normative discourses. How the meaning of teenage pregnancy is constructed depends on stigma and social norms, but the embodiment of pregnancy also plays a significant role.

The altered classification of sexual dysfunction of women in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the approval by the FDA of the first drug to treat low sexual desire in females have led to a debate among researchers and clinicians.

How was female sexual dysfunction originally classified?

Psychosexual dysfunction was first mentioned in the DSM published in 1980. Previous versions did not cover sexual disorders. One of the included psychosexual dysfunctions was inhibited sexual desire, which was based on the Human Sexual Response Cycle (HSRC): “disturbances in sexual desire and in the physiological changes that characterize the sexual response cycle”. In the following edition published in 1994, the word inhibited was no longer used. A feature of the HSRC model is the universal range of phases of sexual response that are basically the same in men and women (excitement, arousal, orgasm, resolution). The criterion for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder was also similar for both sexes.

Media coverage regarding sexual assault among college students puts pressure on universities to improve their sexual consent policies. The headlines express the controversy that surrounds sexual assault in college. American and Canadian universities are pressured to investigate and address the complaints of students. Both the accused and complaining student usually acknowledge the occurrence of sexual contact, but disagree about it being consensual. While most awareness and educational campaigns emphasize how important getting sexual consent is, they do not clarify what is considered consent.

What is the definition of sexual assault?

The terms rape, sexual assault and battery have no globally accepted definitions. Legal definitions and that of researchers vary. In general, they refer to sexual acts that are obtained by (the threat of) force or without consent. Rape: sexual penetration that is obtained by (the threat of) force or the victim being incapacitated. Sexual battery is usually defined as unwanted sexual touching. Sexual assault includes unwanted sexual touching and sexual penetration. In this article, sexual assault refers to sexual touching or penetration without consent.

What is this article about?

Global health and development policies focus mostly on teenage girls, as gender inequalities make them more disadvantaged and vulnerable. However, there are convincing reasons to take a closer look at adolescent boys. Their transition from childhood to adolescence is associated with several health problems and risk factors that influence their health during their whole life (e.g. injuries, violence, suicide, aids, alcohol, drugs, tobacco). Males are also less likely to seek help than females, and their behaviors have a significant impact on the well-being and health of females.