Introduction to Human Sexuality Part II Chapter 20 Ability, Intersectionality, Body Image, and Reclaiming Our Bodies

CHAPTER 20 Chapter 20 Ability , Body Image , and Reclaiming Our Bodies , AND EMERSON WOLFE , LEARNING OUTCOMES Discuss the way that acute and chronic illnesses and disabilities may interact with sexuality and analyze the ways sexuality may be impacted by other identities as well from an intersectional perspective . Identify various types of chronic illness ( multiple sclerosis , diabetes , heart disease , cancer , arthritis , stroke ) and disability ( spinal cord injury , cerebral palsy , blindness and deafness , mental disabilities ) on sexual desire and expression . Explain how additional marginalized identities may further impact body image for those living in the United States and identify techniques to develop a positive counter narrative and healthy . INTRODUCTION While this may be the end of our journey together , each of us is just beginning our exploration into human sexuality and the complexities of human existence . The topics in this course are points for further inquiry . We will undergo changes across our lifespans and the people around us will experience shifts as well . From a systems perspective , a change in us creates movement in the lives of others and vice versa . We are unique individuals yet we are also interconnected with each other and our surroundings . Throughout the term , we have taken a clinical approach in which we seek ways to educate and uplift our communities , and it is fitting to end now on ourselves . We can not help and support others if we are exhausted and emotionally taxed . By focusing on our own sexual wellbeing and reclaiming our bodies , we can best be there for others . ABILITY Ability is not something we either have or do have . This is a concept that lies in perception and is constantly in flux as we cope with pain , emotional distress , sickness , and accidents . We could also be born with or physical differences that give us insight into the way society is often created without flexibility in mind as we 279

280 EMERSON WOLFE , develop techniques to navigate and live our lives to the fullest . Being or disabled exist on visible to invisible and are experienced in ways that are psychological and physical . Sexuality connects with ability in profound ways that can be beneficial to explore . While people who are or disabled are clumped together under these umbrella terms , the reality of peoples experiences is vast and multidimensional . What is known is that mainstream media effectively erases the experiences of individuals who are or disabled and reduces representation for individuals to see people like themselves engaged in relationships and exploring their sexuality . Psychological Health Looking at sexuality as it connects with mental health is vitally important because people who are coping with anxiety , depression , bipolar disorder , trauma , schizophrenia , substance dependence , etc . may experience changes in their related to the status or severity of current of their symptomatology . Sexual behavior , relationship distress , taking medication ( prescribed or ) and body image are interwoven with mental health status and sexual functioning . Some symptoms can either increase ( manic episode ) or decrease ( depressive episode ) sexual desire or responsiveness , or increase taking behaviors . Medications often have sexual that can be addressed by changing medications ( by discussing this with a psychiatrist ) or seeking substance use treatment . People who are or experience cognitive are sometimes by caregivers , teachers , and healthcare workers which opens them up to engaging in risky behaviors because they do not have access to information regarding their bodies , boundaries , and consent ( 2018 Grove et , 2018 ) Thus , education , resources , and support tailored to each individuals experiences related to their psychological abilities are necessary . Providing individuals with the tools to understand their mental health diagnoses and how this connects with their sexuality can be empowering . Mental health symptoms can also make people feel uncomfortable and uneasy within their minds and bodies ( dysphoria ) For instance , normalizing and validating the way that and trauma reminders can interfere with relationship intimacy and sexual engagement and developing methods to cope with the underlying trauma will benefit sexual functioning . Treating people holistically and recognizing that sexual difficulties are often a symptom for other interconnected struggles are important . Physical Health and Pain Being or disabled physically can be something people experience across their lifespan or this can be developed at some point in time . People may also be able to fully heal or some may have residual symptoms . Illnesses can be acute ( sudden ) or chronic ( over a long period ) These experiences may be visible ( wheelchair , cane , hearing aid , hair loss , etc . while others may be invisible ( pain levels , fatigue , Some examples of physical health concerns are cardiovascular diseases , cancer , autoimmune diseases , diabetes , multiple sclerosis , cerebral palsy , experiencing visual or auditory differences , spinal cord injuries ( paraplegia and quadriplegia ) etc . All of these can impact desire and cause sexual difficulties . The relationship with one own body and shift throughout different stages of illness , pain , frustration , and acceptance . Relationships with others change as lovers may also become caregivers and feelings of weakness or relying on others can cause strains in this dynamic . roles and letting go of labels allows for greater possibilities . Loss of a body part due to a surgery or injury can cause specific alterations , challenge feelings of attractiveness and , and cause people to question aspects of their femininity masculinity .

CHAPTER 20 281 Grief and When grief is discussed , it is usually in the context of a loved one or pet dying . However , any loss can cause a grieving process and mental health and physical health concerns can sometimes be accompanied by grief as one adjusts to a new normal or as they make sense of their diagnosis . Here are some educational resources on this process and ways to cope . Finding Stages of Chronic Illness APA ( 2013 ) Cooing with a Diagnosis of Chronic Illness Stages of Grief This has been a recurring theme throughout this course because our lived experiences are based on the ways our multiple identities come together and our wellbeing is heavily influenced by the way in which these identities are marginalized or privileged by society . These identities are social constructs and are not based in reality yet power structures and social hierarchies cause them to manifest and influence our lives in very real ways . Race , ethnicity , financial resources ( class ) education , religion , spirituality , age , gender , immigration status , language , acculturation , etc . are interwoven with our body image and sexuality based on the society we are living in . The impact of colonization and the meaning and value placed on these social constructs by society are then internalized or rejected . Borders and nations are not real to birds and butterflies yet they dictate our movement and way of being in this world . How can we work to develop positive perspectives around our identities while also recognizing and not minimizing or ignoring the flaws in society ?

What does it mean to our body image ?

Resources to Call Out and Combat Patriarchy , Colonization , and An Introduction to Feminism and Image in the United States ( Darnell , 2018 ) Body Image Experiences Among Asian American Women A Qualitative Framework ( Brady , 2016 ) I . Santos ( 2019 ) A conceptual framework social media eating disorders and dissatisfaction among latina adolescents . Hispanic of Behavioral Sciences 41 ( Colonizing Black Female Bodies Within Patriarchal Capitalism Feminist and Human Rights ( 2016 ) Perrin . 2018 ) Discrimination mental health and among transgender and individuals Constructing a multiple model . of gay lesbian social services 30 ( Is Beauty in the Eyes of the Colonizer ?

Code Switch , 2019 ) BODY IMAGE Our bodies are just vessels that carry us through this life , yet society places labels upon our flesh that politicize , marginalize , and dehumanize us . The stretch marks , scars , cellulite , acne , muscles , fat , curves , and birthmarks are devoid of meaning except the meaning we ascribe to them . Fitness magazines , airbrushed images of celebrities , CGI movies , and music videos are sold to us as reality which causes a warped perception about what actual human

282 EMERSON WOLFE , bodies look like naked and clothed . If beauty is in the eye ofthe beholder , how can we hold ourselves more closely with compassion and look upon ourselves with a fresh perspective that is cleansed of falsehoods ?

Moving forward , how can intersecting identities be used as sources of sexual strength that collide to undo stigma and shame ?

Techniques Beauty ideal internalization and the frequency of social comparisons are correlated with body image ( et , 2015 , 11 ) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques have shown promise to improve body image by recognizing and challenging cognitive distortion and by implementing perception checking and reality testing methods ( et , 2015 ) Restructuring of thoughts , changing the language used to describe the body from judgmental to neutral phrases , revisiting times of feeling or uncomfortable and creating a new narrative , and improving media literacy and media resistance strategies were some of the techniques that et al . 2015 ) found to be effective in their of previous research studies conducted . Implementation Utilizing this knowledge , try out some of these methods and make notes about how you feel about yourself throughout the process . Take a look at your social media accounts ( YouTube , Twitter , Facebook , etc . and people or products that make you feel bad about your body . Increase your media literacy by reminding yourself that what is shown is not reality . Be more selective about what you watch and expose yourself to , and pay attention to the way the media impacts your thoughts , feelings , and behaviors . Choose media that and supports you . Resist media that and negative . When you see images of people who have attributes you desire or see something that makes you feel about the way you look , reality check your experiences by asking yourself Socratic Questions . Recognize common thinking errors related to our body image . Reality check and restructure our by putting thoughts on trial and challenging negative thoughts . Reclaiming Our Bodies Resources The Body is Not an Apology Radical for Everybody and Every Body Seaman ( 2018 ) A Guide to Reclaiming Sexual Health Dissertation ( 2013 ) The Erotic Intelligence of Plants A Heuristic of Women Spiritual Experiences with Sacred Amazonian Plant Teachers Savage , 2014 ) Reclaiming women sexuality The intersection practices and sex therapy . Sexual Relationship Therapy , 29 (

CHAPTER 20 283 LICENSES Henry , 2019 , November 25 ) Reclaiming sexual identity through carnival Video . License All Rights Reserved . License Terms Standard YouTube license . Additional References , Webb , Miles , 2015 ) A review of interventions to improve body image . one , 10 ( Retrieved from Grove , Kirby , Hess , 2018 ) The birds , bees , and special needs Making based sex education accessible for adolescents with intellectual disabilities . Sexuality Disability , 36 ( 2018 ) Correction to Sexuality and reproductive health in young people with disability A systematic review of issues and challenges . Sexuality Disability , 36 (