Lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women report lower levels of parental support than heterosexual men and women (Needham & Austin, 2010). Unfortunately, lower levels of parental support are related to higher levels of depression, drug and alcohol use, and suicidal thoughts.
1. How do you think lower levels of parental support would impact the sexual behaviors of lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women?
2. Do you think parents of lesbian, gay, and bisexual children are actually offering less support than parents of heterosexual children? Why or why not?
While men's sexual arousal is related to their sexual orientation (e.g., they get physically aroused only while viewing erotic stimuli that is either male or female), women's sexual arousal is more variable. Heterosexual and lesbian women's sexual arousal is similar when viewing either male or female erotic stimuli (Sylva et al., 2013).
3. What are the implications of these gender differences?
4. How do societal or cultural attitudes influence these findings?
5. Do you think the media plays a role in portraying what is acceptable in sexual arousal and ex-pression?
Research has found that marijuana use can negatively affect sperm development and pro-duction, leading to potential fertility problems (Badawy et al., 2008; Rossato et al., 2008). In addition, marijuana use in both men and women can negatively affect assisted reproduction procedures and contributes to lower infant birth rates (Klonoff-Cohen et al., 2006).
6. Does it surprise you to learn there are negative effects on fertility resulting from marijuana use? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if you found out your partner had fertility problems due to a history of marijuana use?