Exam 8: Sexuality

The spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such HIV/AIDS, is a global challenge. Some areas of the world are experiencing higher rates of STIs than others. What might be one of the reasons for these increases?

Philosopher Michel Foucault describes sexuality as "an especially dense transfer point for relations of power." Discuss his claim. How does the private act of sex become a transfer point for power? What are the public channels in which we might expect to observe this process?

Why do contemporary anthropologists study sexuality?

In which ways does scientist and author Jared Diamond suggest that human sexuality is distinct from other mammals? Identify three ways in which humans differ from most other mammals, and discuss the possible implications of these distinctions as they intersect with other areas of interest for cultural anthropologists (e.g., kinship, gender, class, and religion).

Which term describes people whose sexual attraction to others can include both sexes?

In Kano, Nigeria, Rudolf Gaudio found that men who have sex with other men use a special "code word" to describe themselves. What is that word?

Under the rules of machismo, the machista is considered what kind of person?

Emma Sulkowicz's story of being sexually assaulted on her college campus raises awareness about the growing debate on how what is defined on college campuses?

Which of these best describes sexuality?

The text notes that having a term to describe the sexual activities between opposite-sex persons (heterosexuality) is a fairly new concept in the United States. What led to the development of the term heterosexuality?

Cultural and governmental institutions define the age of consent, how marriage and divorce can be obtained, and reproductive rights such as abortion. In regulating these things, what are cultural and government institutions attempting to do?

For the Victorians, masturbation was a form of self-abuse and seen as dangerous. Why was this particular sexual activity strongly condemned?

Discuss the influence of international campaigns for gay and lesbian rights on local practices using the case study of Nigeria as an example. Compare and contrast the sexual beliefs and practices of the masu harka and 'yan daudu with ideas about Western homosexuality. How does globalization affect ideas about sexual norms?

What is one result of the anti-gay rhetoric found in many countries, including the United States?

Define sexuality and, using a minimum of three examples from the text, describe the ways in which culture influences sexual beliefs and behaviors.

Human beings have a libido-a degree of sexual and erotic drive-that varies widely. Which term refers to individuals with no erotic interest in others?

Using historical and cross-cultural examples provided in the text, evaluate the anthropological approach to sexuality. What do historical and cross-cultural cases of sexuality tell us about sexual norms? Did you learn anything in this chapter about sexuality that you had previously taken for granted? If so, what did you learn? If not, provide an example of something discussed in the chapter that you think someone might be surprised to learn.

When discussing sexual behavior, biologist and zoologist Alfred Kinsey is quoted as saying, "The world is not to be divided into sheep and goats." To what would he likely have been referring when he said this?