human sexuality

 

1. Main Post:  This week there are two topics available for discussion.  

Topic 1:  Should penile augmentation, vaginal rejuvenation, and other such cosmetic procedures be legal or illegal? Do individuals have a right to pursue genital surgeries for which the benefits may be unclear?

Topic 2: Should chemical castration be mandated for sex offenders? Why or why not?  

• In the subject line clearly identify which topic you are discussing.
• Write an essay of 200-400 words addressing the questions designated for one topic.
• Give at least two examples to support your conclusion.

2. Peer follow-up:  Respond to two of your classmates’ postings. 

• In 75-100 words, or more, provide constructive, thoughtful feedback designed to build an engaging dialog.  
• To achieve this, ask questions, share insights, or offer an article or other resource, that will contribute to a broader analysis of the topic at hand.

CLASSMATE 1

There are many reasons for a male or a female to undergo a penile augmentation, vaginal rejuvenation, or other cosmetic procedures. Before undergoing any such procedure I think it’s important to know the risks and benefits. It’s just as important that the Doctor performing the procedures has a clear understanding as to why the individual wants to have this done. I believe that if this procedure is done to correct a deformity or to reconstruct genital cutting it should be legal. I do not think that penile augmentation or vaginal rejuvenation should be don’t to give extra length or tightness to the genitals. As for other cosmetic surgeries like breast augmentations, they too can be done to correct deformity.

 

I think before anyone decides to make a change to their body, they should take a look at the risk factors and be evaluated to ensure that this procedure is something they want and that it isn’t something their partner is forcing onto them. For men they risk scarring and possibility of losing their penis (Lehmiller, J. J, 2017). As for women, they risk the possibility of nerve damage, chronic pain, and urine retention (Gynecology, C. L, 2018).

 

There are men who suffer from penis deformity are clients who actually benefit from a penile augmentation and women from various backgrounds and cultures who have participated in female genital cutting (Lehmiller, J. J, 2017) may benefit from vaginal rejuvenation. Other cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentations can enhance an individual’s body by adding size or decreasing size. Some women have back pain from their breast being too large, or in some cases cancer survivors who have lost both breasts wish to undergo a breast augmentation.

 

Lastly, medicine has truly evolved over the years and we’ve seen it with cosmetic surgeries to heart surgeries. If an individual wants a specific procedure done, they will find a way to do it. I think it complicates things when they are wanting to do it for the wrong reasons. I would say penile augmentation, vaginal rejuvenation, or other cosmetic procedures should be legal under specific conditions.

 

Lehmiller, J. J., (2017), The Psychology of Human Sexuality, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2017. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/umuc/detail.action?docID=5106984.

 

Gynecology, C. L. (2018, September 24). Vaginal Rejuvenation Side Effects and Complications. Retrieved November 7, 2020, from https://www.cosmeticlasergynecology.com/vaginal-rejuvenation/vaginal-rejuvenation-side-effects-and-complications/-

CLASSMATE 2

Chemical castration is a very worldly controversial topic. It “involves administering anti-androgen drugs… [like Depo-Provera] …that block the production of testosterone” (Lehmiller, 2017, p. 100). This loss of testosterone through castration normally decreases the individual’s libido and makes it more difficult to achieve an erection (Lehmiller, 2017, p.98). In my opinion, I believe that chemical castration should be mandated for sex offenders. While some may argue that chemical castration is a violation of human rights, I remind you that sexual violence is also a serious and cruel violation, especially when the innocent child who is being molested cannot defend themselves or even understand what is happening, causing serious psychology issues later in adulthood.

But how effective is chemical castration?

A study conducted at the National Forensic hospital in Korea revealed significant results over this debate. A group of researchers administered ADT (androgen-deprivation treatment or chemical castration) to 38 sex offenders (Koo, et al., 2013). After close observation, they found a “reduction in the frequency and intensity of sexual thoughts in 29 and 27 patients” (Koo, et al., 2013, p. 565). Also, “a reduction in the frequency of masturbation was observed in 28 of the patients” (Koo, et al., 2013, p. 565). The way I look at it is, even if chemical castrations help reduce the sexual drive of even 10% of sex offenders, fewer children become victims. Fewer children do not suffer the physical, mental, and psychological abuse inflicted by these sex offenders. According to SMART (2010) (Office of sex offender sentencing, monitoring, apprehending, registering, and tracking), “meta-analysis studies of the effectiveness of sex offenders treatment revealed the average sexual recidivism rate for sex offenders was 11.1% for treated offenders and 17.5% for untreated sex offenders” (p. 2-3). This means that the laws already set for these sex offenders like residency restriction, community notification, and registration laws are not enough to deter these criminals from committing future sex crimes. Chemical castration, in my opinion, can further reduce these numbers significantly. Another reason why I believe it should be legal is because it can be reversed over time when the treatment has stopped. This gives the individual an advantage. Depending on the circumstances, they have the opportunity to change their actions. 

I do believe that chemical castrations are not black and white. There’s still so much medical, legal, scientific, and psychological research that needs to be done further to understand the positive and negative facts of chemical castration. There is still so much to take into consideration. For example, chemical castrations should not be our immediate go-to treatment or solution simply because it is not as effective for some men as it is for others. Another thing to think about is the offender’s medical history and how it can kill or permanently affect them. Cost is also a significant factor. According to two Physicians in Korea, Joo Yong Lee and Kang Su Cho (2013), chemical castrations cost 4,650 per person annually for the administered injections every three months. There is a reason why chemical castration is a very debated and controversial subject. Until I did my research, I was unaware of all the important factors that play a role in chemical castration; however, I still believe that it should be mandated.

Lehmiller, J.J. (2017).  Chapter 4: Human Sexual Response: understanding Arousal and Orgasm. The Psychology of Human Sexuality. (pp. 98 – 100)

Koo, K. C., Shim, G. S., Park, H. H., Rha, K. H., Choi, Y. D., Chung, B. H., Hong, S. J., & Lee, J. W. (2013). Treatment outcomes of chemical castration on Korean sex offenders. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 20(6), 563–566. 

https://doi-org.ezproxy.umgc.edu/10.1016/j.jflm.2013.06.003

 Chapter 5: Adult Sex Offender Recidivism. (2010). Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. https://smart.ojp.gov/somapi/chapter-5-adult-sex-offender-recidivism#:~:text=The%20analysis%20included%2069%20independent,combined%20total%20of%2022%2C181%20subjects.&text=The%20researchers%20found%20an%20average,slightly%20more%20than%20five%20years.

 

‌Lee, J. Y., & Cho, K. S. (2013). Chemical Castration for Sexual Offenders: Physicians’ Views. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 28(2), 171. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.2.171

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