Sex, Sexuality & Sexual Health
Knowing the difference between sex, sexuality and sexual health will help you support your child or teen. These terms are sometimes used like they mean the same thing, and they are closely related, but they are different. This knowledge will help you learn how to assist your child or teen to grow and mature.
Sex
The term sex refers to the groups (e.g., male, female or intersex) that people are often assigned at birth. It is based on physical traits that can be seen (e.g., their genitals).
The term is often used as a short form of ‘sexual intercourse’ as well. You will know which meaning we intend by what the section is talking about.
Sexuality
Sexuality is a central part of every human. A person’s sexuality includes their sex, gender identity and sexual orientation. It also includes their pregnancy and reproduction choices and experience.
A person can express their sexuality in many ways, including through their:
- thoughts
- fantasies
- desires
- beliefs
- attitudes
- values
- behaviours
- practices
- roles
- relationships
While sexuality can include all of these, a person may not always express all of them. Many things can affect sexuality. These include things you might expect like biology, psychology, society, religion or culture. Sexuality is also influenced by economic, ethical, political, and legal factors.
See the Sexuality Wheel for an interactive graphic showing all the parts of sexuality.
Sexual Health
Sexual health is personal, psychological, relational, cultural, physical and emotional well-being related to a person’s sexuality. Taking care of your sexual health is as vital as other parts of your health and wellness. Sexual health can include healthy relationships, reproductive health, sexuality, consent, puberty and hygiene.
It’s good for kids to also learn about sexual health and healthy sexuality, not just sex.
The Sexuality Wheel
The Sexuality Wheel shows how broad the idea of sexuality really is. Each part of the wheel represents one part of who we are, and how these parts are all connected and influenced by each other. The boxes on the left side of the wheel show who we are by nature, while the ones on the right show who we are taught or who we learn to be. When all parts of the wheel are healthy, our sexuality is healthy.
Scroll over the red boxes to learn more about each term.