8

Sex

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter first examines the literature on sex, including

early discussions of reproduction and the debate about

sexual pleasure. It then focuses on the more recent literature,

which has examined the risks of sexual behaviour initially in

the context of pregnancy avoidance and subsequently in the

light of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)/HIV and AIDS.

This literature includes a variety of psychological

perspectives from the use of social cognition models, which

highlight the role of individual cognitions, to an emphasis on

an interaction between individuals in terms of the relationship

context. Finally the chapter outlines literature which

examines the broader social context in terms of educational

influences, the gay community, gendered power relations

and theories about sex, HIV and illness.

This chapter covers:

➧ Developing the contemporary perspectives on sex

➧ Sex as a risk and pregnancy avoidance

➧ Sex as a risk in the context of STDs/HIV and AIDS

➧ Sex as an interaction between individuals – adding the relationship

context

➧ The broader social context

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