The Sexual Self reflection paper will be a 10-15 page paper in which you have the opportunity to discuss at least five major topics covered in the class through the lens of your own sexuality. You will choose the topics you focus on and the level of self-disclosure you are comfortable with, from the list of possible topics (SEE BELOW). Your reflections need to be adequately informed by the course readings and outside reference materials. This paper provides an opportunity for you to apply some of what you learned to yourself, as well as cement some of the key concepts in a deeper and more personal way. Remember that you should only pick topics that you are comfortable writing about. You will spend at least two pages answering each set of questions for the five topics (2×5=10 pages). The paper should be double-spaced, one inch margins, (without the extra spacing the Word adds after each paragraph), 12pt. font, and include APA style references as needed. Citation page does not count towards the required 10-15 pages, however one must be included. This is not a research paper though. It is is a demonstration that you read the material, so you do refer to it, but most importantly it is a probe of your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
TOPICS TO DISCUSS (Must use 5):
-Pick three sexual behaviors you have seen children engage in and talk about how you felt about it, and how you reacted to it, if at all. Describe what normal sexual behavior for children at those ages is, and whether your family thought those behaviors were normal when you were growing up, or not.
-Is there a sexual activity you have never tried that you want to, or are considering trying? If so, explain how you would decide whether to do it, with whom, and when. What circumstances would have to be in place for you to become willing to try it?
-Describe some of the sexually explicit material you have read or seen over the years. Whether accessed via books, magazines, videos, or internet, what effect did/does it have on you? Make sure to discuss both positive and negative effects. Will you continue accessing this material? Why? Have you stopped accessing it? Why?
-Identify one sexual mistake you made or sexual regret you have. Talk about what happened and why you regret it. Point out if there were any external circumstances that may have influenced why you did it. How did your sexual behavior or thinking change after that time? Have you forgiven yourself for the mistake or not? If you have, what was the process like? If you have not, what might it take to make self-forgiveness possible?
-Discuss at least three things you do to communicate with your partner about your sexual lives. How are these methods working? Would you change anything about the way you communicate sexually? What and how?
-How stable and positive is your body image? Do you worry about your looks or your body shape, size, or strength more than you think you should? If so, what aspects of your body bother you and what have you done to deal with this? Do you take action to “correct†the parts you do not like? Or, do you obsess over it, but do nothing? Finally, discuss all the influences in your life that you think made you secure or insecure about your body image.
-List your top three choices of contraception. List at least two pros and two cons for using each. Then describe which one you have settled on and why.
-Imagine that a friend or acquaintance of yours reveals that he would consider or even has, in the past, used coercion or force to have sex with someone. How would you respond? Make sure you really think about what would be said in a real context, not just the thoughts you wish you could say. How could you make a difference with this person?
-If you considered or ever did hire the services of a prostitute, talk about when and why. If you ended up not going through with it, describe why. If you ended up going through with it, was it what you expected? Do you think prostitution should be legal? Why or why not? Do you think “Johns†should receive similar legal consequences as prostitutes if it is illegal? Why or why not?
-Talk about how you first learned what sex was, how it was performed, or what it was for. Do you wish that first knowledge was explained or shown to you differently? What was your reaction and how did it change over time?