**2. History of scientific research in human sexuality**

History of human sexuality is as ancient as human history. Some of the artifacts from ancient cultures are thought to be fertility totems. Kama Sutra (400 BC–200 BC), a Hindu epic describes about love, pleasure and desire; in fact about life in general. It is also a manual for sexual intercourse. Quran, Bible, Torah also have rules, advice and stories about sex.

Scientific research on sexuality started only around 150 years ago. Henry Havelock Ellis, an English physician used case study method to scientifically study sexuality. He published a seven volume book titled Psychology of Sex in which he tried to address different topics of sexuality which included arousal and masturbation. He emphasized that the sexuality of transgender is different from homosexuals. He advocated equal sexual rights for women and sex education at public schools [2].

Father of Psychiatry Sigmund Freud linked sex to health development. He recognized sexuality throughout the life span. Freud gave five stages of psychosexual development which includes oral, anal, phallic, latent and genital. According to Freud, each individual should pass all these stages. If the child's needs are unsatisfied or over-satisfied in these stages, either fixation or regression happens. This means child shows attachment to the previous stage, problems from that stage even persists into the adulthood. By keen observation of the individual behavior, one could recognize the psychosexual stage the adult had fixated or regressed [3, 4].

Alfred Kinsey, commonly referred to as Father of human sexuality research, believed most of the sexuality knowledge is guess work and there is lack of unbiased research. He had set a goal to interview around 100,000 people about sexual histories. Though he fell short of his goal, he could collect 18,000 interviews. Most of the contemporary scientists work on "behind closed door" behaviors were based on Kinsey's seminal work [5].

## **3. Sexual health**

Sex describes means of biological reproduction. Sex also describes sexual organs both external as well as internal which defines individual to be male or female. According to the WHO, sexual health must be considered as "a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Human sexuality emerges in the body, but, like other human phenomena, it simultaneously unfolds in mental landscapes, social relations, and cultural spheres. Sexuality is closely linked to personal integrity, identity, body image, bonding, and social curiosity. Physiological and psychosocial determinants contribute significantly to sexual health."

Healthy sexuality is a dynamic equilibrium, whereby adversity is balanced by personal agency and available resources. Sexual health is not mere absence of sexual dysfunction, it is individual's ability to navigate through problems. Clinical and research experience indicate there is no correlation between subjective wellbeing and objective strains. Sexual health like any other health is contextual and multifactorial [6].

#### **4. Gender and orientation**

The term gender represents psychological and sociological representation of biological sex, which includes gender identity as well as gender role. Though Gender and sex are important aspects of person's identity, it does not tell anything about orientation. Gender orientation refers to persons' sexual attraction to others. Sexual attraction refers to persons' capacity to arouse interest in others. One must be comfortable with their chosen gender and sex role and accept themselves without shame, guilt or fear. Be able to maintain good relationships with both sexes, regardless of whether they are platonic or intimate [7].

#### **5. Attitude towards sex**

Associations between general health and sexuality are diverse and intricate, and the two can interact in both positive and negative ways. Culture significantly determines our attitude towards sex. Culture influences our beliefs about what is normal and what is deviant in sexuality. Based on cultural attitude towards sex;

**51**

*Healthy Sexuality*

beliefs [8].

**6. Myths about sexuality**

About female sexuality

• People think sex is dirty.

• Sex during menstruation is harmful

• Orgasm is a must in all sexual encounters

• Only vaginal and clitoral sex leads to orgasm

• Sexual desire decrease dramatically after menopause

• If a man does not get immediate erection he is not aroused

• If a man does not get aroused by mere site of partner he is not able to perform

Sexual response cycle which consists of desire, excitement and orgasm, have been classified by various authors in different ways. One of the simplest classifications is given by Kaplan, which is called DEOR model. D stands for desire, E stands for excitement, O stands for orgasm and R stands for resolution. Desire phase has biological, social and psychological component. Biological component

• Erectile dysfunction is inevitable and incurable

• Bigger the breast-better sexuality

• A women's "no" convey "yes"

• Masturbation leads to impotence

• Semen is a special cargo [9]

**7. Sexual response cycle**

• Women never masturbate

About Male Sexuality

• Sex is sweet only during second decade of women's life.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92375*

Cultures can be broadly classified into sex positive and sex negative cultures. Sex negative cultures which include India and Asian subcontinent believe that sex is for procreation while sex positive cultures which include western cultures consider sex beyond procreation. Sexual knowledge is usually acquired from someone in charge which may include parents, siblings, religious authorities, school, rumors from friends and mass media. One significant experience or stimulus that matches our fantasy would have long lasting impact on our attitude towards sexuality. Upbringing, witnessing parental interaction and intimacy shapes our life and

*Healthy Sexuality DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92375*

*Quality of Life - Biopsychosocial Perspectives*

on Kinsey's seminal work [5].

**3. Sexual health**

multifactorial [6].

**4. Gender and orientation**

**5. Attitude towards sex**

less of whether they are platonic or intimate [7].

Father of Psychiatry Sigmund Freud linked sex to health development. He recognized sexuality throughout the life span. Freud gave five stages of psychosexual development which includes oral, anal, phallic, latent and genital. According to Freud, each individual should pass all these stages. If the child's needs are unsatisfied or over-satisfied in these stages, either fixation or regression happens. This means child shows attachment to the previous stage, problems from that stage even persists into the adulthood. By keen observation of the individual behavior, one could recognize the psychosexual stage the adult had fixated or regressed [3, 4]. Alfred Kinsey, commonly referred to as Father of human sexuality research, believed most of the sexuality knowledge is guess work and there is lack of unbiased research. He had set a goal to interview around 100,000 people about sexual histories. Though he fell short of his goal, he could collect 18,000 interviews. Most of the contemporary scientists work on "behind closed door" behaviors were based

Sex describes means of biological reproduction. Sex also describes sexual organs

both external as well as internal which defines individual to be male or female. According to the WHO, sexual health must be considered as "a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Human sexuality emerges in the body, but, like other human phenomena, it simultaneously unfolds in mental landscapes, social relations, and cultural spheres. Sexuality is closely linked to personal integrity, identity, body image, bonding, and social curiosity. Physiological and psycho-

Healthy sexuality is a dynamic equilibrium, whereby adversity is balanced by personal agency and available resources. Sexual health is not mere absence of sexual dysfunction, it is individual's ability to navigate through problems. Clinical and research experience indicate there is no correlation between subjective wellbeing and objective strains. Sexual health like any other health is contextual and

The term gender represents psychological and sociological representation of biological sex, which includes gender identity as well as gender role. Though Gender and sex are important aspects of person's identity, it does not tell anything about orientation. Gender orientation refers to persons' sexual attraction to others. Sexual attraction refers to persons' capacity to arouse interest in others. One must be comfortable with their chosen gender and sex role and accept themselves without shame, guilt or fear. Be able to maintain good relationships with both sexes, regard-

Associations between general health and sexuality are diverse and intricate, and the two can interact in both positive and negative ways. Culture significantly determines our attitude towards sex. Culture influences our beliefs about what is normal and what is deviant in sexuality. Based on cultural attitude towards sex;

social determinants contribute significantly to sexual health."

**50**

Cultures can be broadly classified into sex positive and sex negative cultures. Sex negative cultures which include India and Asian subcontinent believe that sex is for procreation while sex positive cultures which include western cultures consider sex beyond procreation. Sexual knowledge is usually acquired from someone in charge which may include parents, siblings, religious authorities, school, rumors from friends and mass media. One significant experience or stimulus that matches our fantasy would have long lasting impact on our attitude towards sexuality. Upbringing, witnessing parental interaction and intimacy shapes our life and beliefs [8].
