Growing Up Sexually

The Sexual Curriculum (Nov., 2002)

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Janssen, D. F. (Nov., 2002). Growing Up Sexually. Volume II: The Sexual Curriculum: The Manufacture and Performance of Pre-Adult Sexualities. Interim Report. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

 

List of Terms That Might Cause Ambiguous or Inconclusive Reading

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[Author's Note:]

The author has noted that sociological processes associated with sexual behaviour lack a vocabulary that reflects the neutrality, perspective and framework proposed in the current project. Terms commonly used in academics are strongly influenced by theoretical or activist underpinnings. Conceptualising sexuality as sexology, as follows from previous choices of perspective, requires a lexicon reflecting this interpretation. Since the use of particular expressions by the author raised questions pertaining to the appraisal of fundamental concepts among the expert board supervising this project, some definitions are listed below in response to, and to anticipate on, these criticisms. Particularly, the use of "operationalisation" and "curricularisation" is considered critically important in the conceptualisation of pedagogical principles, and in culture-identifying practices.

 

 


Definitions of Terms pertaining to Pedagogical Processes of the Sexual as used in the Current Project [inspired by Encyclopedia Brittanica 2002] [1]

 

 

 

 

 

Age Stratified/Structured

Pertaining to interaction of roles identified by specific age brackets, or specific [e.g., "substantial"] difference in age. Legitimacy of use discussed in §14.2.0

Basiarche

First kiss

Coitality

Essential [essentialised] orientation to coitus, as informing "discourses" and "curricula". Cf. coitocentrism*

Coitarche

First sexual (genitogenital) intercourse

Coitocentrism

Centralisation of coitus within sexual "discourses" and "curricula"*

Complementarism, sexual

Complementation* being applied as a principle

Complementation, sexual

To appropriate within a dyad of mutually completing parts, or counterparts [particularly as used within the context of age disparate partner affiliation]. Original use: e.g. John Money

Cross-culturalism

A culturalist* tendency to "explain", discuss or "apologise" for behaviours by addressing their alleged significance or prevalence in ranges of "cultures", including "Other Cultures"

Culturalism

The tendency to "explain", discuss or "apologise" for behaviours by addressing their alleged ethnic embeddedness. Closely associated with relativist doctrines. An interesting subspecies is cross-culturalism*. Associated are exo-* and endoculturalism*

Curricularisation (of sexual behaviour)

Appropriation to or causing to fit a particular curriculum*

Curricularism

See Curriculum*.

Curriculum, sexual behaviour

[Proscribed appropriate course [=an ordered process of succession]; particularly as used within the phrases "sexual behaviour curriculum" and "curricularisation" processes. "Curriculum" refers to a culturally defined schema that is used as an operational template for individual trajectories, and as such provides a focal environmental specification of what others might call "script" (Simon), or "map" (Money)]

Development, sexual

To go through a process of natural growth, differentiation or evolution by successive changes; to become gradually manifest; to come into being gradually [particularly significant in relation to "developmentalism"]

Developmentalism

Development* applied as informing an idiosyncratic doctrine / cult. Developmentalism is a cultural normative, and addresses concepts of sexual/sexological* development*

Discourse, sexual

Formal and orderly and usually extended expression of thought on a subject

Endoculturalism

Within culturalist* curricula, a flaw in addressing possible foreign equivalents of or parallels for native phenomena. Opposing exoculturalism*, it biases cross-culturalist projects

Erotarche

Contested perspective in discussions on erotogenesis* which assumes that erotic processes develop* in step-wise cascades, adding up to a "first" experience of the erotic

Eroticisation (de-)

[see chapter 16 for an appraisal of variable use in academia]

Erotogenetics, erotogenesis

Study and process of the development of erotic function (arousal). Needs to be studied within consturctionist / interactionist formats (see chapter 16 for a dissatisfying preliminary attempt)

Exoculturalism

With in culturalist* curricula, a flaw in addressing native phenomena as possible equivalents of or parallels for foreign ones. Opposing endoculturalism*, it biases cross-culturalist projects

Gonadocentrism

In biological sexology, the underrepresentation of the potential significance of the extragonadal system for the human erotic experience

Horaiocentrism

Term used in §3.0.3 implying the use of adult representations as a template for preadult situationality. Significantly related to developmentalism*

Identification

To establish identity [more specifically, (1) incorporation of properties on the basis of modelling; and (2) to appoint, single out, to define by authority

Instrumentalisation

To make available as utility or tool [particularly, in the process of "operationalising"* sexual organs and bodies]

Koitomimesis

Imitation of coitus [used in discussion of its distinction to "coitus"]

Legitimisation

To provide legal status or authorisation; to show or affirm to be justified

Libidarche

The arguable concept of "libido development" as condensed in a moment or short period of awakening, of "first" expression. See also erotarche*

Macronymphia

Term used by Bryk to address nonbloody modifications of anatomical structures associated with the female pudenda

Masturbarche

First "masturbatory" occasion, "masturbation" being variably described

Medicalisation

Appropriation or causing to fit medical "discourses" [=related to the maintenance of health, and prevention, alleviation or cure of disease]

Objectification, sexual

[see chapter 16 for an appraisal of variable use in academia]

Operationalisation, of sexual behaviour/identity

Use of term discussed in §3.0.5. To prepare for or condition to undertake a destined function. [emphasis is put on the intergenerational, familial setting, and on the pragmatic interpretation of "function" as "operable": fit, possible or desirable to use]

Orgasmarche

First orgasm [cultural and methodological problems detailed here]

Pedagogisation

Relevant use of the term introduced by Foucault (§1.1.5; 3.0.3), issuing the operationalisation of pre-adult sexual behaviour as a pedagogical agenda and imperative

Performative (sexuality)

[generally, pertaining to performances. Entails that sexuality is formed by its being performed]

Phallopoesis, artificial

Modification of normal penile development

Positioning

To put in proper position [more specifically: to assume position, a process which may be assigned or proscribed in a sense of "being positioned"]

Proto-eroticism

Tentative concept of biopsychological appraisal of stimuli and scenarios before causing manifest erotic arousal in later life, due to assumed stage-wise physiological development of such a response

Pseudocoitus

Nonpenetrative coitus-resembling behaviour [used to demonstrate coitality]. See §6.2.11

Pubarche

Formally, the transition between P1 and P2 stages on Tanner's scale. Pubic development

Recruitment

Entitled [also: prescriptive] adoption within a social community [particularly: access of young individuals within a sexual exchange economy]

Segmentalisation

[of sexual society:] compartimentalisation and stratification based on life-phase effected through spatial or other restrictions

Sexarche

"Coitarche" [acc. coitocentric* definition]

Sexologisation

Incorporating or situating within academic sexual discourses (sexologies*)

Sexology

Study of things sexual, explicitly not confined within an academic connotation, but rather as the larger part of the performance of sexuality in general. Study of sex and interaction among the sexes [(i) specifically not confined to academic curricula; (ii) used in discussions on its replacement of the concept "sexuality" as performance]

Sexosophy

Term coined by John Money to cover folklorist and lay notions of sexuality processes which evade academic review. Opposes Money's concept of "sexology"*

Sexualisation (de-)

[see chapter 16 for an appraisal of variable use in academia]

Socialisation, sexual

To fit or train for [functions within] a social environment [hence phrases such as "sexual behaviour socialisation" and "organ socialisation"]

Spermarche

[variably, first ejaculation, spermaturia, spermatogenesis]

Subculture, curricular

Use detailed in §3.2.1. See also curriculum*

Teleiophilia

(§8.2.2.1) Introduced as a general term for the attraction to adult aged individuals, particularly in age dismatching configurations. Rarely used, originally coined by Freund.

Thelarche

Onset of female breast development. Formally, transition of Tanner M1 (prethelarchic) to M2 (neothelarchic)

Thelopoesis, artificial

Modification of normal female breast development

Trajectory, of sexual behaviour

Pathway [as in the phrase "sexual behaviour trajectory"; used as a nondevelopmentalist* alternative to "development" and as a cultural pendant of "curriculum"*]

 

 


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[1] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(r) Dictionary, Tenth Edition, copyrighted 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated