Portal:Human sexuality
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Welcome to the human sexuality portal
Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves biological, psychological, physical, erotic, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because it is a broad term, which has varied with historical contexts over time, it lacks a precise definition. The biological and physical aspects of sexuality largely concern the human reproductive functions, including the human sexual response cycle.
Someone's sexual orientation is their pattern of sexual interest in the opposite and/or same sex. Physical and emotional aspects of sexuality include bonds between individuals that are expressed through profound feelings or physical manifestations of love, trust, and care. Social aspects deal with the effects of human society on one's sexuality, while spirituality concerns an individual's spiritual connection with others. Sexuality also affects and is affected by cultural, political, legal, philosophical, moral, ethical, and religious aspects of life.
Interest in sexual activity normally increases when an individual reaches puberty. Although no single theory on the cause of sexual orientation has yet gained widespread support, there is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial causes of sexual orientation than social ones, especially for males. Hypothesized social causes are supported by only weak evidence, distorted by numerous confounding factors. This is further supported by cross-cultural evidence, because cultures that are tolerant of homosexuality do not have significantly higher rates of it.
Evolutionary perspectives on human coupling, reproduction and reproduction strategies, and social learning theory provide further views of sexuality. Sociocultural aspects of sexuality include historical developments and religious beliefs. Some cultures have been described as sexually repressive. The study of sexuality also includes human identity within social groups, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and birth control methods. (Full article...)
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The clitoris is the human female's most sensitive erogenous zone and generally the primary anatomical source of human female sexual pleasure. In humans and other mammals, it develops from an outgrowth in the embryo called the genital tubercle. Initially undifferentiated, the tubercle develops into either a penis or a clitoris, depending on the presence or absence of the protein tdf, which is codified by a single gene on the Y chromosome. The clitoris is a complex structure, and its size and sensitivity can vary. The glans (head) of the human clitoris is roughly the size and shape of a pea, and is estimated to have more than 8,000 sensory nerve endings. (Full article...)
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Did you know
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- ... that Ayu Utami's (pictured) 1998 novel Saman launched an Indonesian literary movement focusing on women's views of sexuality?
- ... that the children of Vietnamese prostitutes and American servicemembers from the Vietnam War were often forced into prostitution themselves?
- ... that Rihanna's "Birthday Cake", said to resemble a real-life quickie, lasts just 78 seconds?
- ... that Photo Bits, a British soft porn magazine published from 1898 to 1914, was the first pin-up magazine in the United Kingdom?
- ... that A Free Ride (credits pictured) is considered to be the earliest surviving American hardcore pornographic film?
January/February 2012
Human sexuality in the news
- 24 September 2024 – Recognition of same-sex unions in Thailand
- Thailand passes the marriage equality law allowing same-sex couples to be legally wed starting in January 2025. (AP)
- 17 September 2024 – LGBT rights in Georgia
- The Parliament of Georgia approves a law on "family values and the protection of minors" that would restrict LGBTQ+ rights in the country. (DW)
- 13 September 2024 – Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal
- Seven men receive prison sentences ranging from six to 25 years for sexual offences against girls aged 11 to 16 that occurred in the town of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, Northern England from the late 1980s until 2013. (BBC News)
- 11 September 2024 –
- Malaysian police rescue 400 minors suspected of being sexually abused at Islamic charity homes linked to Al-Arqam. (Reuters)
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For editor resources and to collaborate with other editors on improving Wikipedia's Human sexuality-related articles, see WikiProject Sexology and sexuality.
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- Cleanup listing for WikiProject Sexology and sexuality — bot-generated list of articles within the scope of this WikiProject tagged as needing attention
- Cleanup listing for WikiProject LGBT studies — bot-generated list of articles within the scope of this WikiProject tagged as needing attention
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