Study Sex at Sydney University

Communication and good sex

2009-09-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

A Sydney Morning Herald article "Shyness found to hamper safe sex" states that "A new national survey of more than 1000 people has revealed about 63 per cent of men and 52 per cent of women still refused to mention contraception in the heat of the moment" They recommend we practice talking about contraception in front of a mirror befure venturing our with a potential sex partner.

What is it about sex that makes men and women irrational unthinking pleasure seeking machines? Are we driven subconciously by the media? or pornography? or do we actually have no regard of the consequences of sex? Do we in the search of that perfect orgasmic moment not care of the consequences of the sexual activity on ourselves, our family, community and society?

What does it mean to be a real woman?

2009-09-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

Interesting article "Don't Judge a Woman by their cover" in the SMH today.

"The message, ingrained in society, is: if you don't adopt the trappings associated with conventional femininity, you're not a ''real'' woman"

Do we as a society and a culture judge a real woman only by external appearances? Do we stretch this to say 'real women' also have to be sexy and sex objects - thereby spawning what has come to known as 'Raunch Culture'.

Where does that leave young women who don't want to be dressed in the current fashion with sky high heels? or necessarily want to be the sexiest chick in town?

Variations of Sexual Differentiation

2009-09-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

The world champion 800m runner Caster Semenya is said to have undescended Testis, High levels of Testosterone, but apparently (not clearly stated) external female genitalia.
She apparently also identifies and behaves as a female.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/secret-of-semenyas-sex-stripped-bare/2009/09/11/1252519599453.html
The newspaper articles say she "is technically a hermaphrodite"
More likely she has Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome.

This raises interesting questions of what determines our identity as female or male?
Our genitals?
Our Chromosomes?
Our Gonads?
Or our personal brain identity?

Degrees of Sex Differentiation

2009-08-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

Todays Sydney Morning Herald article "Several degrees of androgyny"
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/several-degrees-of-androgyny-20090826-ezvd.html
Discusses the complexities of being born and growing up male and/or female.

They discuss a condition known as "Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome" While the article describes what we call 'Complete AIS", most have varying degrees of insensitivity to androgens and are 'Partial AIS'

There is a support group for AIS in Australia with excellent information. Indiana University has an excellent site - worth a visit.

Contact us at the Graduate Program in Sexual Health if you are interested in discussing, researching or inviting one of the team to speak on issues of Gender.

Teenagers and Sex

2009-07-31T02:18:00.000-07:00

Hello all
It has been a while since I visited. We are at the end of week one of semester 2. It is exciting to see how happy the students seem to be.

Some of you may have seen the ABC TV series on the Science of Teens on Thusrsdays at 8 pm? I had a small part in the episode to air on the 6th August:
http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/fhs/628.html?eventcategoryid=49&eventid=4484

Hope you all enjoy the show.

The many health benefits of sex

2009-07-04T05:17:00.000-07:00

Apart from being so much fun, sex is also really good for your health. Check out the web site:
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/10-surprising-health-benefits-of-sex
Some of my favorites:

42 half-hour sessions [of making love] will burn 3,570 calories, more than enough to lose a pound.
Having sex and orgasms increases levels of the hormone oxytocin, Higher oxytocin has also been linked with a feeling of generosity. So if you're feeling suddenly more generous toward your partner than usual, credit the love hormone
men who had five or more ejaculations weekly while in their 20s reduced their risk of getting prostate cancer later by a third

I would like to know the benefit of sex on athletic activity. Should we quarantine our athletes from sex before the big game? or encourage a diet of plenty?

Graduate Program in Sexual Health wins award at WAS 2009

2009-07-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from the World Association for Sexual Health Congress in Gotenberg Sweden.
The BIG news in that our program was awarded the WAS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN SEXUALITY EDUCATION 2009.
This is the equivalent of winning an Oscar award for sex education.

Do let me know (P.Weerakoon@usyd.edu.au) if you want to be a part of this award winning group.

Marriage and Love

2009-06-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald on the 4th June discusses common pitfalls in marriage.
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/marriage-traps-to-avoid-20090604-bwc6.html?page=-1

Infatuation and Love are chemically induced in the brain (YES it is chemistry) BUT the feelings induced by changes in Serotonin, Dopamine and Noradrenaline last only for 18-24 months.
Staying to together in a committed relationship requires the couple to hang in there - as they move into a phase of couple bonding (also hormone induced).

The highs of love can be reinvigorated - taking time to do something exciting and new could bring your love chemistry back into action - try it!

Walking the tightrope of Biology Psychology Sociology: No wonder we call it Sexology!

2009-05-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

An interesting article in SMH today
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/the-drugs-of-desire-pushing-us-into-a-sexual-arms-race-20090528-boz7.html
Discusses the medicalisation of sexuality and sexual health.
I quote:
"The model of sex research Masters and Johnson pioneered, with its focus on physiology and the language of function and dysfunction, has led inexorably, these critics [Leonore Tiefer and others]argue, to a mindset where sexual functions are seen as simply physical ones, with cures that are pills or creams or gels or patches."

If you are intersted in this issue, check out the site:
http://www.newviewcampaign.org/

Have we swung too far into the biological in sexual function? Are we too eager to reach for the magic tablet rather than 'talk'?

2009-05-25T14:07:00.001-07:00

I came across this web site today. Discusses the issue (they call!) SexTech
http://sexuality.about.com/od/sex_tech_faq/f/sex_tech_FAQ.htm

Interesting questions:

Does technology change the way we have sex?
Is Tech ruining Sex?

Check it out and let us know what you think.

Consent and Regret: Two sides of the coin in Sexual Behavior?

2009-05-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

An article in the Sun Herald by Leslie Cannold has the following (quote from article)

"Consent and regret are different. You can't regret someone forcing you to do something because regret suggests responsibility and you weren't in control in the first place. You can consent to something, even drive it, yet realise while it's happening you've bitten off more than you can chew."

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/sexual-freedom-wont-spare-you-regret-20090524-bj6d.html

Teen brains are fired by testosterone fuelled desire and yet in their developmental stage of neuronal connections - vulnarable to impulsive behaviour and risk taking.

How can we help? Sex Education? Parental guidance?

Peer Pressure to have sex: All in the mind?

2009-05-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

A Sydney Morning Herald article on the 21st May questions the reality of teenagers assumptions of what their "peers" are doing sexually.
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/sex-peer-pressure-selfimposed-20090521-bg9q.html

Almost 70 per cent of young people who took part in a Melbourne-based study believed they'd had fewer sexual partners than their "average" peers.

The author of the study says:
.."it was important that young Australians be told it was okay to hold off starting to have sex, or to go without for a time, and that it was "not always the case" their peers had multiple sexual partners."

The article that details this study is in: Sexual Health Volume 6 Number 2 2009

2009-05-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote a description of the research activities in the Graduate Program for Sexual Health for marketing. It sounds so good, I thought I should share it with the world!

Research in GPSH:
Applied and social research in sexual health within the context of the sexual rights in a bio-psycho-social investigative paradigm, especially in minority communities such people with a disability, aging, migrants and gender variant children; and the translation of research results into best practice models of health professional-patient communication, sex education and health delivery.
The strength of the team lies in the inter-professional international nature of the research community and the multidisciplinary supervision team enabling the application of innovative research methodologies befitting the sensitive areas of research.

Want to join us?

2009-05-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

An interesting article in the Sydney Morning Herald comments on how teen girls are not taught skills to resist sexual pressure.
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/girls-not-taught-skills-to-resist-sex-pressure-20090518-bcpf.html
The reseaarchers talked with >60 girls in Pert (Australia) and reported that:
"A predominant theme that conceptualized the nature and timing of first intercourse among female adolescents in this study was the degree of personal control they maintained over their transition from abstinence"
and:
"positive recollections of first coitus were embedded within a greater self-efficacy for abstinence and sense of personal control over the timing of and the context in which intercourse was initiated."
"disappointing and regretful experiences among those who initiated intercourse earlier and for reasons external to the self. Conforming to social norms, drunken encounters, and pressure from partners...."
Read the article in:
Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 43, Issue 6, December 2008, Pages 593-599

2009-05-08T21:36:00.001-07:00

Apparently the first Obama budget has word on sex education. Wonder what impact this will have at a global level?
http://rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/05/07/2010-budget-slashes-abstinenceonly-money-keeps-abortion-funding-restrictions

2009-04-18T01:16:00.001-07:00

We had our graduation on Friday. It was a wonderful sunny Sydney afternoon. Our students looked absolutely wonderful. We have 2 of our Masters Graduates already enrolled in PhD and 3 of our Graduate Diploma graduates enrolled in research Masters degrees. Two more of the Masters graduates are thinking of staying on for a PhD.

Three of the projects are in Sexuality and Disability and one in sexual pain disorder. Let us know if you are interested in sex research.

2009-04-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its April already and we are ready to take applications for semester 2 2009. Anyone out there interested in joining us?
Studying with us will change your life both personally and professionally.
Try it: Walk in a room and when someone asks you what you do tell them "I am training to be a sexologist"

I am on Facebook - and would be happy to talk to others intersted

2009-03-30T15:01:00.001-07:00

I would be happy to talk to others interested in sexual health education and research. Let me know and I will invite you to join my facebook page.

Talks on Good Sex

2009-02-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

Are you intersted in exploring Good Sex and Gods plans for life?
If so join me when I discuss this very important topic.
Check the web site:
http://www.macwhoopee.org.au/

Where?
Robert Menzies College, 136 Herring Rd, North Ryde
When?
Four Wednesdays starting 4th March 2009 at 7.45 pm

Love to see you there!

Welcome to 2009

2009-02-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a wonderful year for the Graduate Program. We have >30 new students from all over the globe and some really new and exciting research.
We will be at the World Association for Sexual Health Congress in Gotenberg in June this year (http://www.sexo-goteborg-2009.com/), Come by our table and say hello if you are attending the conference.

Time to think forward to 2009

2008-11-07T02:19:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I posted a message. The program is going well as we prepare for 2009. We are currently taking applications for 2009 semester 1. I would love to hear from any of you who are interested. Feel free to email me (P.Weerakoon@usyd.edu.au).

Looking back on 2008: What have been the highlights of the year?

Firstly, It is exciting to have students from so may parts of the globe. We have students from USA, UK, Ireland, Canada, Egypt, Malta, Cyprus, South Africa, New Zealand and of course all states of Australia.

Secondly, it is exciting to see the work our research students are doing. The main areas of research are

Sexuality and Disability
Sexual Health Education
Cultural and Religious factors and their effect on sexuality and sexual behaviour.

So as we draw 2008 to a close - heres wishing you our readers a Blessed Christmas and a safe and happy holiday

The Joys of Sex

2008-08-15T04:39:00.000-07:00

This is the most exciting time of semester. We are in week three and the on-line students are getting to know each other. The research students meanwhile are getting their teeth into the juicy meat of sex research!
Our on-line program is based on three foundational principles:
1. Constructivist learning: The focus is on you the learner and we act as a 'coach on the side' rather than the 'sage on the stage'. The students are encouraged to bring your own experiences and knowledge - and build on these.
2. Collaboration: The on-line environment provides the perfect environment for group discussions and chats (although many do manage to catch up for face to face meetings).
3. Community: Ever since we started this program, we have a community of sexual health professionals across the world. Not just students, also professionals, therapists researchers and educators from around the globe.
Heres hoping for many more wonderful years of learning and research
Feel free to contact me anytime
Patricia Weerakoon
P.Weerakoon@usyd.edu.au

Congratulations to Allison Macbeth

2008-05-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Allison’s research on “Parents attitudes and perceptions towards sex education in schools is in the news this week.

Check out the newspaper articles at:
Herald Sun:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23720526-662,00.html
Sciences Alert:
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20082005-17345.html

She has also had a number of radio interviews, including ABC Radio

Key findings from her on-line questionnaire:
97 per cent of parents supported sex education in schools.
Of those, all believed puberty, correct names for genitals and dealing with peer pressure to have sex should be part of the curriculum.
98 per cent said Safe sex and birth control should be included.
97 per cent thought communication about sex, sex as part of a loving relationship and sexual decision making should be included.
90 per cent backed teaching about masturbation
83 per cent wanted sexual pleasure and orgasm on the agenda.
32 per cent rated abstinence very important in school sex education classes.

Would you like to participate in our on-line surveys? Check out:

http://www.usyd.edu.au/sexualhealth/online/index.shtml

Sexual Health Conference End November

2008-05-15T04:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the big news!

"Sexual Health, Pleasure and Rights: The Australian Response"

The Bi Annual ASSERT and GPSH conference
When: November 29th-30th 2008
Where: Sydney University Camperdown Campus

This will be a wonderful time to hear expert panels on cutting edge issues in sexual health as well as meet up with your peers, colleagues and friends.

The Graduate Program in Sexual Health will celebrate our 5th year anniversary at the conference.

Watch this space for updates.
Patricia

My second life

2008-04-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hello all
Many of you may know that I am involved in public speaking in the Christian circuit. This Saturday (12th April) I will be speaking at Annandale Community Church (Christians in the Media) at 9.30 am.
Do drop in and say hello - if you are in Sydney.

Check the web site for details:
http://www.christiansinthemedia.org/pdf/080412_Stoking_the_fires.pdf

Patricia

Well into semester 1 and all well in Sexual Health

2008-03-17T02:07:00.000-07:00

This has been a good year for the Graduate Program in Sexual Health.
In the coursework componant the students all seem to have settled well and are enjoying their study.
The reseaarch students are likewise progressing well. We have Vijay Ramanathan starting his PhD on Men's perceptions of sexual function and dysfunction. Frances Darcy Tehan and Elizabeth Riley are moving forward with their research.

We have three main streams of research we plan to develop in 2008-2009:
1. Sexuality in the older adult
2. Sexuality and Disability.
3. Sexuality Education across the lifespan.
Please contact us if you are interested in joining us to work in these areas.

Please check ur on-line research page:
http://www.usyd.edu.au/sexualhealth/online/surveys.shtml

Till we meet again
Patricia

The Start of a new year

2008-02-29T20:25:00.001-08:00

Semester 1 starts on the 3rd March - Monday.
I feel excited, anxious, aprehensive and very honoured to be the academic coordinator of this program and be able to start >30 students on their journey of learning in sexual health.
Today we had an on-line orientation - we used a software called Adobe Connect - I could sit at home at 7 am with a cup of coffee and share my desk top with students in Australia, Malta and South Africa - amazing.
In the process of setting a "good time" I forgot the time difference in Perth - ooops - Perth students were up early at 5 am!
We have had the usual pre-semester crisis - but we are ready for a great and exciting semester!
Are you interested in joining us for 2009? Do let me know.
Patricia

Working our way through January!

2008-01-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

Dear readers
January is a low month for many academics and university departments, but not for the sex team!
We have been busy getting in touch with our students and making sure they all have their program for the year well planned.
We are also working on the Web CT sites - which have to be ready by the end of January.
In addition we are developing a Web CT "Mentors" site and getting a heap of research organised for 2008!
My dear program manager Lata Britto is a pillor of patience, and my colleagues Russell Shuttleworth and Gomathi Sitharthan so tolerant of my rantings and ravings....
I plan a 2 week holiday in February - so if any of you readers are in the wonderful land of the long white cloud, the Kiwi, the Haka and the Allblacks and want to talk - let me know.
Take care till we meet again
Patricia

Looking forward to an exciting new year

2008-01-09T02:26:00.000-08:00

Hello all and welcome to my first message for 2008.
I believe 2008 will be an exciting one for the Graduate Program in Sexual Health.

Why do I feel that way?

Firstly we have >30 students starting this semester in the coursework program. We are all thrilled at the diversity of their backgrounds both professionally and geographically. The on-line discussions and chats are going to be very interesting indeed. I can't wait for the 3rd March.

Secondly, this year (for the first time) we are setting up a mentoring system for new students. Our alumni and senior students have been very generous in signing up to be mentors. Bless you all......we need a few more - so if any of you are reading this blog, please contact me.

Finally this is promising to be a very productive year in terms of research. We have a couple of very interesting international initiatives happening. Also our students are doing some really good on-line research.
Check out:
http://www.usyd.edu.au/sexualhealth/online/index.shtml
I will keep you posted on our other research activities during 2008.
Keep well and happy
Patricia

Open Access Information on Sexology

2007-12-16T23:37:00.000-08:00

Professor Erwin J. Haeberle has produced an excellent open access information site on all things to do with sexology and sexual health. We use this site extensively in our courses.
We are grateful to Erwin for this outstanding contribution - do check it out via the link "Archive for Sexology" on the right of this page.

The staff and students (coursework and research) of the Graduate Program in Sexual Health wish all our readers a Blessed Christmas and a Fulfilling 2008
Patricia

What is sexology?

2007-11-29T02:49:00.000-08:00

This is a question I am repeatedly asked - so let me try to explain:

Sexology is the systematic study of human sexuality. Modern sexology is a multidisciplinary field which uses the techniques of fields including biology, medicine, psychology, statistics, epidemiology, pedagogy, sociology, anthropology, and sometimes criminology to bear on its subject.

It studies human sexual development and the development of sexual relationships as well as the mechanics of sexual intercourse and sexual dysfunction. Sexology encompasses all aspects of sexuality, including attempting to characterise "normal sexuality" and its variants. It also documents the sexuality of special groups, such people with a disability, children, and older adults, and studies sexual pathologies such as sex addiction and child sexual abuse.
Sexology is considered descriptive, not prescriptive: it attempts to document reality, not to prescribe what behavior is suitable, ethical, or moral.

Sex research in Sydney

2007-11-27T00:21:00.001-08:00

I did promise to say something about our research!
Research in the Graduate Program in Sexual Health is based around the theme of "Healthy Sexuality in a lifespan perspective"
What does this mean?
It means that we believe that "all people irrespective of their gender, ability, state of health or sexual preference have the right to healthy sexuality - free of coercion, discrimination or violence"
We research in a number of areas:
1. Sexuality education
2. Sexual intimacy function and dysfunction.
3. Healthy sexuality in older adults.
4. Sexuality in people with a disability.
We would love to hear from you if you are working in these areas.
Patricia

Life in the Graduate Program in Sexual Health

2007-11-26T01:44:00.000-08:00

I am the coordinator of the Graduate Program in Sexual Health. In this blog I will invite you to join me and my colleagues (Gomathi Sitharthan and Russell Shuttleworth) as we plan and agonise over how to best offer a great on-line learning experience and motivate students to research "Healthy Sexuality in a lifespan perspective".

You may know who I am - but for those who don't, I am a 60 year old academic, married for >34 years with one wonderful son and one wonderful hubby. I trained as a medic in Sri Lanka and then moved to sex when I did my postgraduate study in the University of Hawaii with Professor Milton Diamond.
I love what I do - my main joy is getting to know our students and watching friendships develop. We are planning a mentorship program in 2008. Do let me know if anyone has experiences in this.

Next semester should be a very interesting one - we have new students from South Africa, Malta, New Zealand and all over our lovely big brown land. I particularly enjoy the discussions on sexual rights.
More on sex research in another post.
Patricia

Sydney Morning Herald Sexperts Feature

2007-11-20T19:32:00.001-08:00

SMH (Sydney Morning Herald)
Sexperts featuring sexologist Patricia Weerakoon