Perspectives on Human Sexuality

By offering approaches from biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and social-psychology this book contributes an original perspective to understanding human sexuality, its development over millions of years, and how sexuality is embedded in specific socio-cultural contexts. Includes a broad based analysis of human sexuality by providing a unique view of modern human, male, and female anatomy and physiology; pregnancy and childbirth as a bio cultural experience; various topics in adult sexuality, such as life course issues related to gender Identity; sexual orientations, behaviors, and lifestyles; and discussions of HIV and AIDS. Using these topics, the authors differentiate culture specific sexual behavior from what we share as a species. This helps to place sexual behavior In the United States in a larger context as well as reduces the tendency to view non-westerners as the "other" or exotic, thereby promoting a clearer understanding of the complex, phenomenon labeled "human sexuality."