Instructions
Throughout the semester, you have learned about several theories and practices related to human sexuality and sexual health. This assignment will give you an opportunity to apply some of those major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings. In completing this assignment, you will hone your critical thinking skills, recognizing and applying psychological principles, and communicating your understanding of individual, community, and organizational life experiences to a general audience.

Task:
This assignment will enable you to critically analyze the sexual health of a fictional character in popular culture – television, films or literature.

Step 1:
Select a fictional TV, movie, or literary character who will serve as a case study and analyze their sexual health, based on the criteria below.

Step 2:
Review the SIECUS guidelines for sexual health (below):

LIFE BEHAVIORS OF A SEXUALLY HEALTHY ADULT

A sexually healthy adult will:

In human development
Appreciate one’s own body.
Seek further information about reproduction as needed.
Affirm that human development includes sexual development that may or may not include reproduction or genital sexual experience.
Interact with all genders in respectful and appropriate ways.
Affirm one’s own sexual orientation and respect the sexual orientation of others.
In relationships
View family as a valuable source of support.
Express love and intimacy in appropriate ways.
Develop and maintain meaningful relationships.
Avoid exploitative or manipulative relationships.
Make informed choices about family options and relationships.
Exhibit skills that enhance personal relationships.
Understand how cultural heritage affects ideas about family, interpersonal relationships, and ethics.
In personal skills
Identify and live according to one’s own values.
Take responsibility for one’s own behavior.
Practice effective decision-making.
Communicate effectively with family, peers, and partners.
In sexual behavior
Enjoy and express one’s sexuality throughout life.
Express one’s sexuality in ways that are congruent with one’s values.
Enjoy sexual feelings without necessarily acting on them.
Discriminate between life-enhancing sexual behaviors and those that are harmful to self and/or others.
Express one’s sexuality while respecting the rights of others.
Seek new information to enhance one’s sexuality.
Engage in sexual relationships that are consensual, non-exploitative, honest, pleasurable, and protected against disease and unintended pregnancy.
In sexual health
Use contraception effectively to avoid unintended pregnancy.
Prevent sexual abuse.
Act consistent with one’s own values in dealing with an unintended pregnancy.
Seek early prenatal care.
Avoid contracting or transmitting an STD, including HIV.
Practice health-promoting behaviors, such as regular check-ups, breast and testicular self-exam, and early identification of potential problems.
In society and culture
Demonstrate respect for people with different sexual values.
Exercise democratic responsibility to influence legislation dealing with sexual issues.
Assess the impact of family, cultural, religious, media, and societal messages on one’s thoughts, feelings, values, and behaviors related to sexuality.
Promote the rights of all people to accurate sexuality information.
Avoid behaviors that exhibit prejudice and bigotry.
Reject stereotypes about the sexuality of diverse populations.
Educate others about sexuality.
Source: SIECUS (2004). Guidelines for comprehensive sexuality education: Kindergarten -12th Grade, 3rd Ed. New York, NY: SIECUS. https://siecus.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Guidelines-CSE.pdf

Step 3:
For each one of the criteria from the SIECUS list, determine whether the character displays that behavior and think of an example from the film, book, or television show that illustrates your determination regarding that criteria. In your paper, you must discuss at least one aspect from each of the six categories on the SIECUS list.

Step 4:
Review writing resources, write an outline, write a thesis statement, write an introduction, and integrate information via summarizing, paraphrasing, or, as necessary, directly quoting sources, all with proper attribution.

Step 5:
Write a 1,200 to 1,500 word paper (about 5 double-spaced pages), not including title and reference page which should be written in APA Style, and submit it to your assignment folder.

Tip: Begin with a brief synopsis discussing the character or issues that arise in the book, film, or television show to give context to the reader. Next, integrate the criteria you have chosen and discuss how they are related. From your synopsis, you can then formulate a thesis statement and craft an outline that will be the basis of your paper. Once a draft has been written, you may want to contact the Effective Writing Center for feedback.

Abstract

This paper informs the diverse human sexualities in the natural and supernatural world through an in-depth analysis of Belle, the protagonist in the Beauty and the Beast Movies. The storyline is rooted in the insecurities emanating from the physical features of the human form in two different worlds.  In this regard, the relationships lack a rigid support system to guide the two partners to foster the growth and development of more solid relationships. On the one hand, beasts perceive sexuality-based breed, mating season, and reproduction, while human beings are more inclined to physical intimacy to develop a romantically thriving relationship.  After an in-depth review of Belle’s character in Beauty and the Beast, it is evident that she prioritized her emotional connection more than physical intimacy.  In furtherance, she shows no desire to reproduce. The inter-species love between the Belle and the beast lacks physical intimacy. The sexual variation between Belle and the Beast prevents them from expressing love in ways that resonate with an ordinary human being. There is a striking difference in their behaviors, attitudes. This movie showcases the varying stereotypical ways society devalues women in relationships as objects to fulfill their needs and desires.  However, Belle is accountable for her happiness; she rejects Gaston’s proposal and initiates a romantic relationship with the beast. The movie’s central cast is subdued to provide a perfect balance between the natural world and the fictitious world. Belle is a symbolic character as it resonates with many girls in the stereotypical societies

Psychology of Human Sexuality

Introduction

‘Human sexuality is a broad topic and comprises different issues interconnected to define sexual sensation and related intimacy between human beings. In psychology, human sexuality is defined as the freedom to be intimate and express the fullness of love between a man and a woman. In contemporary modern times, there has been an influx of different sexual orientations, sexual identities, and sexual preferences; however, human sexuality follows the basic underlying principles of intimacy. Through an in-depth review of the personal skills, emotional capability, sexual health practices, sexual behavior, types of relationship attitudes, and perspectives of the society and culture, this study set a firm foundation for the review of the sexuality of the Belle, the main character in the beauty and the Beast movie.

In human development

Belle is the lead character in Beauty and the Beast. In the movie, she is presented as a versatile character with changing lust and admiration for the beast.  Initially, Belle is in a candid and sweet, friendly relationship with the beast and does not see him as a potential suitor. As the plot unravels, the beast quickly develops romantic feelings for Belle and is afraid that she will not reciprocate the love. This relationship is centered on ultimate protection, kindness, love and care, as evident in the movie. The beast gives Belle access to his library while teaches him to act more gentlemanly like. At the end of the film, Belle professes his love and admiration for the beast, and he resumes his human body and their life happily ever after.  The storyline is rooted in the insecurities emanating from the physical features of the human form in two different worlds.  In this regard, the relationships lack a rigid support system to guide the two partners to foster the growth and development of more solid relationships. The striking differences between the family backgrounds do not provide a conducive environment to increase human capacity to care, feel and love. Human sexuality requires consistent affirmation and reassurance that the other partner is comfortable with his/her sexual orientation to achieve maximum intimacy and keeps the relationship thriving. Technically beasts perceive human sexuality narrowly and subjectively dependent on a specific breed, mating season, and reproduction. Although the movie bypasses the innate superpowers of beasts to reproduce, nurture, and rear child of human-like characters. Traditionally fictional films are presented in real-world scenarios that involve human beings.

In relationships

There is a cordial and vibrant relationship between all the genders in this beauty and the beast film. Primarily the fictional characters exhibit extremely lethal characteristics. However, the beast treats everyone with respect and kindness irrespective of their gender or sexual orientation. There has been a significant influx of interracial marriages in modern contemporary times in the recent past, which has prompted a rallying call to fasten gender equality precepts.  After an in-depth review of Belle’s character in Beauty and the Beast, it is evident that she prioritized her emotional relationship more than physical intimacy.  In furtherance, she shows no desire to reproduce. The inter-species love between the Belle and the beast lacks physical intimacy.

This movie bears many loopholes and offers minimal literature on the diversity a fictional relationship can operate in the real world from a psychological view. Although the film is framed in a family-integrated environment, most of Belle’s family members are still in awe of the possibility of the occurrence of such a movie. Fictional relationships only apply in the film and lack a solid understanding of their role in the running and operation of the typical home. Although the familial characters are limited in the entire plot, most of them have the knowledge and skills to boost valuable input for growth and development. On the other hand, the fictitious families do not operate on close ties due to the existing gap due to the contrasting nature of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. The sexual variation between Belle and the Beast prevents them from expressing love in ways that resonate with an ordinary human being. There is a striking difference in their behaviors, attitudes. Traditionally fictional superheroes are known for protecting the main character from the villain and saving them from imminent danger due to their super heroic instincts; there can sense danger from afar. In this plot, this is the primary way that the beast expresses his love for Belle. Although it may seem caring, at first, this does not form a good foundation for intimacy for a thriving relationship. However, in today’s stereotypical society, this kind of relationship defies the norms and can set up individuals for ridicule. On the other, human beings are emotional and exude some sense of expectation from their partners in a relationship. Most of the time, there will be a conflict of interests and the desire to appropriately complement each other’s needs.

In personal skills

Belle is an ideal example of a stereotypical girl in the movie. She exhibits self-less ness, etiquette, elegance, which is core attributes to be recognized as a lady in society. Belle has lost her sense of identity and values to conform to the gender-based stereotypes of culture. Belle has been denied the opportunity to dream and achieve her goals. Belle dreamed of leaving her town to achieve her goals from a young age, but; she is trapped in a never-ending nightmare of sexism and patriarchal systems, and she has lost hope of accomplishing her goals (BranaGan, 2016). In a predominantly male-dominated world, this movie showcases the varying stereotypical ways society devalues women in relationships as objects to fulfill their needs and desires.  This is evident in how Gaston, a masculine, strong man in the plot, is determined to control their woman as if she is his property. Belle resembles a significant percentage of women in morally depriving relationships that limit them to exploit their talents, abilities, and careers in the contemporary modern world. Throughout the movie the Gaston abides by the patriarchal structure does not showcase any plans to own up to his rogue ideas and behavior (Fanny, 2017).

In sexual behavior

In the movie; there is a massive distortion of the differences between masculinity and femininity. The plot comprises secondary sex characteristics, which is evident in the contrasting difference between the tiny-waisted Belle and the giant-biceped muscle suitors. Social Pundits  assert that  the bulky and tiny presentation of the Beast and Belle can be a redemptive change of narrative of the deep-rooted patriarchal system that man can be masculine in a relationship and still treat with kindness without controlling her life. From the beginning of the movie Belle and the Beast are presented as the total sweethearts with a strong romantic bond, the differences.

 

In sexual health

Although all aspects of Belle’s sexuality have been captured in beauty and the beast, there is limited knowledge on the sexual health of Belle. This psychoenergy relationship does not necessarily match traditional sexual health. The movie is uncanny, full of silly cues that depict cartoonish and visual cues that appeal to young between the age of 5-10 years. The movie’s central cast is subdued to provide a perfect balance between the natural world and the fictitious world. Therefore, failure to present the emotional and physical activities serves to reduce curiosities’ of the intimacy levels of the Beauty and the Beast. However, the film debuts the protagonist’s intimate moments. For example, there is a whole scene of Belle and the beast dancing as she and the audience cheers. In furtherance through the precise use of suspense, flashbacks, and flash-forward, the producer incorporates the sad moments when the beast was stabbed amidst the ravaging wars with Gaston. Still, Belle’s love and compassion revived him back to life as a human being.

In society and culture

On the other hand, Belle is determined to make a change and exercises a high-level sense of responsibility. She is accountable for her happiness and initiates a romantic relationship with the beast. Furthermore, even though she has been deprived of achieving her goals, Belle accepted her fate and adopted a simple life (Samantha, 2017). There is a wide array of different perceptions of inter-species love.On the one hand, some people perceive the relations as a form of expression, freedom to relate with varying species while breaking the norms and redemption of an ideal relationship (Lili, 2017).

 

The Beauty and the Beast is a thrilling, cartoonish, and uncanny movie that showcases the weirdest distortions in human sexuality. Although the film is a replicated product of 1991, it addresses social and human sexual inequalities prevalent in society today.

References

Abbybled. (2017). Feminist Empowerment in “Beauty and the Beast:” An Analysis of Beauty’s Feminist Qualities from 1740 to 2017. Retrieved 2021

Basu-Z. (2011). “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Tiger’s Bride”: To Be or Not To Be a Beast? Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities , 1.

BranaGan. (2016). A teaching plan claims Beauty And The Beast is a ‘sexist’ fairytale. Retrieved 2021

Fanny, W. (2017). Representation of Women and Gender Roles in Beauty and the Beast. Retrieved 2021

Lili, L. (2017). Let’s talk about the weird psychosexual energy in Beauty and the Beast. Retrieved 2021

Samantha, B. (2017). Gender Roles: As Told By Beauty And The Beast. Retrieved 2021