SOC 1100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill, Premarital Sex, Incest Taboo

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 1100
• Professor: Deanna Behnke- Cook

Document Summary

Sex refers to the biological distinction between males and females, in essence the way humans reproduce. Primary sex characteristics are name the genitals and organs used for reproduction whereas secondary sex characteristics are the point where bodily development apart from the genitals, distinguishes mature males and females occurs. It is known that both males and females are hitting puberty at earlier times than ever before. It is important to note that sex is not equal to gender. Intersexual people refers to people whose bodies, including genitals, have both female and male characteristics, also called hermaphrodites. Transsexual and trans gendered people are individuals who feel they are one sex even though biologically they are the other, many undergo sex reassignment and do not identify with their initial gender. Culture is variable, and sex and sexual characteristics differ greatly from one society to the next. It is believed that controlling sexuality among close relatives is a necessary element for social organization.