Circle of Sexuality: Sexualization
Sexualization is that aspect of sexuality in which people behave sexually to influence, manipulate, or control other people. Often called the "shadowy" side of human sexuality, sexualization spans behaviors that range from the relatively harmless to the sadistically violent, cruel, and criminal. These sexual behaviors include flirting, seduction, withholding sex from an intimate partner to punish her/him or to get something, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and rape. Teens need to know that no one has the right to exploit them sexually and that they do not have the right to exploit anyone else sexually.
Flirting
Is a relatively harmless sexualization behavior. Nevertheless, it is usually an attempt to manipulate someone else, and it can cause the person manipulated to feel hurt, humiliation, and shame.
Seduction—Is a potentially more harmful behavior. It implies manipulating someone else, usually so that other person will have sexual intercourse with the seducer. The seducer is using the person seduced for his/her own sexual gratification.
Sexual harassment
Is an illegal behavior. Sexual harassment means harassing someone else because of her/his gender. It could mean making personal, embarrassing remarks about someone's appearance, especially characteristics associated with sexual maturity, such as the size of a woman's breasts or of a man's testicles and penis. It could mean unwanted touching, such as hugging a subordinate or patting someone's bottom. It could mean demands by a teacher, supervisor, or other person in authority for sexual intercourse in exchange for grades, promotion, hiring, raises, etc. All these behaviors are manipulative. The laws of the United States provide protection against sexual harassment. Individuals should know that they have the right to file a complaint with appropriate authorities if they are sexually harassed and that others may complain of their behavior if they sexually harass someone else.
Rape
Means coercing or forcing someone else to have genital contact with another. Rape can include forced petting as well as forced sexual intercourse. Force, in the case of rape, can include use of overpowering strength, threats, and/or implied threats that arouse fear in the person raped. Youth need to know that rape is always illegal and always cruel. Individuals should know that they are legally entitled to the protection of the criminal justice system if they are the victims of rape and that they may be prosecuted if they force anyone else to have genital contact with them for any reason. Refusing to accept no and forcing the other person to have sexual intercourse always means rape. If you or someone that you know has been sexually assaulted or raped and need support, contact SHARPP, Sexual Assault and Rape Prevention Program here at UNH.
Incest
Means forcing sexual contact on any minor who is related to the perpetrator by birth or marriage. Incest is always illegal and is extremely cruel because it betrays the trust that children and youth give to their families. Moreover, because the older person knows that incest is illegal and tries to hide the crime, he/she often blames the child/youth. The triple burden of forced sexual contact, betrayed trust, and self-blame makes incest particularly damaging to survivors of incest.
Additional Resources
- Resource Library
The Resource Library at Health Services is available to all UNH students, faculty and staff. The library is packed with books and videos on sexual health. - Sexual Health at UNH
Learn more about being sexually healthy at UNH. Great resources on safer sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual pleasure, abstinence, and more! - Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program – SHARPPSHARPP provides services to victims/survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking. The mission of the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program is to eliminate sexual and intimate partner violence. SHARPP's mission is accomplished in two parts: by providing free and confidential advocacy and direct services to all survivors and their allies; and by offering culturally competent awareness and prevention programs to the University of New Hampshire community.
Additional Circles of Sexuality
Material adapted from: Life Planning Education, a comprehensive sex education curriculum. Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth in press.
