Teela Hudak's Blog, page 41
October 31, 2018
Consent Made Simple: Episode 4
Consent is an important topic to learn about and there is always more to learn. We continue to define what consent means to us and each other. There are also a lot of different situations that have never really been modeled for people. The purpose of the Consent Made Simple series is to provide examples of positive examples of consent being properly observed from a variety of different situations and viewpoints. These scenarios apply to any person of any gender.
Episode 4
This time we find ourselves with two people on the couch enjoying a movie. They’ve agreed they want to fool around after the movie finishes but then one person falls asleep. Despite consent being obtained prior to them falling asleep, the second person doesn’t disturb the first person. Instead, they get a blanket and ensure that they are warm and safe.
Even though consent was obtained ahead of time, sometimes things can change. Consent is still an ongoing process. If the person didn’t indicate that they wanted to be woken up, it’s not safe to assume that their consent is still willing. The situation has changed. It’s a small but important difference in how situations can evolve and the needs of people may change.
Learn More About Consent
The discussion around consent is continuing to evolve and change. Society, in general, is developing a stronger understanding and acceptance of the importance of consent but there are still many people that feel lost. Even those who feel like they know everything they need to should keep their mind open to learning more about consent. It’s also really important that we all have a really solid foundation of the basic principles of consent and how they should be applied. Our Consent Crash Course is available to anyone wishes to solidify their foundational knowledge on this important topic.
Enjoyed this article? Join our mailing list for more fabulous articles on sex, sexual health, gender, relationships, and consent. Build your knowledge to improve your sex life and have better relationships. You can also check out what we currently have available for online courses also check out our ongoing and upcoming events. You should also check out our online shop for some unique and special items. We have some thought-provoking as well as scandalously fun stuff there. Lastly, if you’re looking for more fun content, join our Sexy Hero Society for exclusive and excellent content!
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October 29, 2018
October Coloring Page
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October 23, 2018
Consent Made Simple: Episode 3
Consent is an important topic to learn about and there is always more to learn. We continue to define what consent means to us and each other. There are also a lot of different situations that have never really been modeled for people. The purpose of the Consent Made Simple series is to provide examples of positive examples of consent being properly observed from a variety of different situations and viewpoints. These scenarios apply to any person of any gender.
Episode 3
For this episode, two strangers meet in a bar. One offers to buy the other a drink. The other person accepts enthusiastically and then proceeds to get quite drunk. Once the second person is drunk enough to be swaying on their stool, they ask if the first person is going to take them home. The first person then offers to hook up with them at another time when they are sober.
It’s important to know that alcohol does not equal consent. Someone who is inebriated is not in a good place to be providing consent. There is a good chance that they would not be consenting if they were thinking clearly and not under the influence. When we connect with someone, it should be from a place of genuine connection. Both people should make the clear-minded decision and choice to come together.
Learn More About Consent
The discussion around consent is continuing to evolve and change. Society, in general, is developing a stronger understanding and acceptance of the importance of consent but there are still many people that feel lost. Even those who feel like they know everything they need to should keep their mind open to learning more about consent. It’s also really important that we all have a really solid foundation of the basic principles of consent and how they should be applied. Our Consent Crash Course is available to anyone wishes to solidify their foundational knowledge on this important topic.
Enjoyed this article? Join our mailing list for more fabulous articles on sex, sexual health, gender, relationships, and consent. Build your knowledge to improve your sex life and have better relationships. You can also check out what we currently have available for online courses also check out our ongoing and upcoming events. You should also check out our online shop for some unique and special items. We have some thought-provoking as well as scandalously fun stuff there. Lastly, if you’re looking for more fun content, join our Sexy Hero Society for exclusive and excellent content!
The post Consent Made Simple: Episode 3 appeared first on Explore Sex Talk.
October 19, 2018
What is Testosterone and What Does it Do?
Testosterone is a type of androgen hormone. Hormones are like small chemical messengers that produce changes in our bodies. Testosterone is a very important hormone because of the many important functions it performs.
Most people think automatically of men when we are talking about testosterone. This has led it to be called primarily a “male hormone” but that’s not the whole story. It’s true that men, and anyone with a penis and testicles, will produce more testosterone than others but the ovaries also do produce this hormone, just in smaller quantities. We have also learned that everyone produces a small amount of testosterone in the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain.
Since everyone produces a certain amount of testosterone, what does it do for our bodies?
Testosterone’s Role in the Body When Produced in the Testicles
The body actually starts to begin to produce testosterone in the womb. It is what helps the body develop the primary sex organs and some of the muscles. Testosterone is continued to be produced as the child grows. Once puberty begins, the testicles begin to produce higher levels of the hormone.
The higher level of testosterone is instrumental in helping the penis and testicles grow, deepening the voice, growing body hair, and causing a growth spurt. Levels of the hormone impact sex drive, bone mass, distribution of body fat, red cell production, as well as the size and strength of the muscles.
After puberty, testosterone continues to play an important role in the body. It is also crucial to the production of sperm. If levels of testosterone are too low, it can cause infertility because the body doesn’t have what it needs to be able to produce sperm. Low levels can also account for a lower libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle mass, hot flashes, or hair loss. Normal testosterone levels in people with testicles are around 280 to 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
Testosterone’s Role in the Body When Produced in the Ovaries
Testosterone is usually produced fairly equally between the ovaries and the pituitary glands and also begins during the fetus’ development in the womb. As the ovaries produce and use more estrogen, testosterone produced is only a fraction of what is produced by the testicles.
Despite the ovaries needing less testosterone, the hormone does fill some important functions. It is still responsible for helping the body produce red blood cells, plays a role in fertility and sex drive, as well as impacts the muscle and fat distribution.
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, a person with ovaries should have a total of 15–70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl) of testosterone in her blood. If the level of testosterone is too high or low in a person with ovaries, it can have a range of side effects.
Low testosterone can cause a reduced sex drive, fatigue, increased risk of bone fragility, and other health conditions. Conversely, if the levels are too high it can cause irregular periods, infertility, excessive hair growth, skin problems, or ovarian cysts.
The Power of Testosterone
Testosterone performs a lot of import functions in our bodies, no matter what gender you are. The hormone plays an important role in fertility as well as our general health. When it is in the wrong balance in our body, it can cause all kinds of problems. Learning about these aspects of sexual health is an important part of keeping ourselves healthy and happy for as long as possible.
Enjoyed this article? Join our mailing list for more fabulous articles on sex, sexual health, gender, relationships, and consent. Build your knowledge to improve your sex life and have better relationships. You can also check out what we currently have available for online courses also check out our ongoing and upcoming events. You should also check out our online shop for some unique and special items. We have some thought-provoking as well as scandalously fun stuff there. Lastly, if you’re looking for more fun content, join our Sexy Hero Society for exclusive and excellent content!
The post What is Testosterone and What Does it Do? appeared first on Explore Sex Talk.
October 16, 2018
Consent Made Simple: Episode 2
Consent is an important topic to learn about and there is always more to learn. We continue to define what consent means to us and each other. There are also a lot of different situations that have never really been modeled for people. The purpose of the Consent Made Simple series is to provide examples of positive examples of consent being properly observed from a variety of different situations and viewpoints. These scenarios apply to any person of any gender.
Episode 2
In this episode, we find a young couple slow dancing at a club or some other kind of dance. This is not a couple who have an established relationship but new to each other and maybe just beginning to explore their sexual interest in each other. One person asks if it’s ok to kiss the other person.
Some people would see this as a simple thing and therefore an unnecessary step. It is often believed to just take action and let the heat of the moment guide you. The thing about that is that a lot of people are just terrible at judging correctly the desires of others. We can get so caught up in our own desires, nerves, emotions, and uncertainties that we can miss vital unspoken clues as to how a person is actually feeling.
There are also a lot of different ways that people can communicate that are open to interpretation. Someone may hesitate because they are shy but hesitation can also be caused by trying to gracefully exit the situation. A person could be smiling as an invitation or as a way to soften the blow of a rejection. There is no way to know what is happening inside of someone else’s head. The best way is to simply ask. Anyone who is actually interested and an ethical person will not be put off by a respectful consent question. It demonstrates consideration and respect. Those are very solid building blocks to any relationship.
Learn More About Consent
The discussion around consent is continuing to evolve and change. Society, in general, is developing a stronger understanding and acceptance of the importance of consent but there are still many people that feel lost. Even those who feel like they know everything they need to should keep their mind open to learning more about consent. It’s also really important that we all have a really solid foundation of the basic principles of consent and how they should be applied. Our Consent Crash Course is available to anyone wishes to solidify their foundational knowledge on this important topic.
Enjoyed this article? Join our mailing list for more fabulous articles on sex, sexual health, gender, relationships, and consent. Build your knowledge to improve your sex life and have better relationships. You can also check out what we currently have available for online courses also check out our ongoing and upcoming events. You should also check out our online shop for some unique and special items. We have some thought-provoking as well as scandalously fun stuff there. Lastly, if you’re looking for more fun content, join our Sexy Hero Society for exclusive and excellent content!
The post Consent Made Simple: Episode 2 appeared first on Explore Sex Talk.
Tarzan Swings Again Cartoon
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October 10, 2018
Consent Made Simple: Episode 1
Consent is an important topic to learn about and there is always more to learn. We continue to define what consent means to us and each other. There are also a lot of different situations that have never really been modeled for people. The purpose of the Consent Made Simple series is to provide examples of positive examples of consent being properly observed from a variety of different situations and viewpoints. These scenarios apply to any person of any gender.
Episode 1
For our first episode, we chose to go with a fairly straightforward scenario. This is a couple in bed together. One person is interested in having sex but the other person is not feeling up to it at this time. Through the use of simple and clear communication, the two people are easily able to create safe space for both of them.
Even in established relationships, keeping communication open is important. Simple things like checking in with your partner about how they are feeling ensures you are both on the same page. If the answer is often a consistent no, then that might be a clue that something may be wrong. Having open communication helps you and your partner address any problems that bubble up before they become a real problem.
Learn More About Consent
The discussion around consent is continuing to evolve and change. Society, in general, is developing a stronger understanding and acceptance of the importance of consent but there are still many people that feel lost. Even those who feel like they know everything they need to should keep their mind open to learning more about consent. It’s also really important that we all have a really solid foundation of the basic principles of consent and how they should be applied. Our Consent Crash Course is available to anyone wishes to solidify their foundational knowledge on this important topic.
Enjoyed this article? Join our mailing list for more fabulous articles on sex, sexual health, gender, relationships, and consent. Build your knowledge to improve your sex life and have better relationships. You can also check out what we currently have available for online courses also check out our ongoing and upcoming events. You should also check out our online shop for some unique and special items. We have some thought-provoking as well as scandalously fun stuff there. Lastly, if you’re looking for more fun content, join our Sexy Hero Society for exclusive and excellent content!
The post Consent Made Simple: Episode 1 appeared first on Explore Sex Talk.
September 18, 2018
Hanzel & Gretel Cartoon
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August 30, 2018
Leading With Your Heart… Or Your Head
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August 1, 2018
By the Power of Penis! Exploring the Link Between Masculinity & Penis Size
It’s not hard to find a reference to masculinity and penis size. In North America, and many cultures across the world, there is a pre-occupation with the concept that a larger penis means more masculinity and power. Many insults, as well as compliments, play into this idea. We hear it when people criticize a person for their actions by suggesting they have a small dick. Or when someone has done something brave that others admire, they are referred to as “having some serious balls”. It’s highly ingrained in our language and perspectives but where did this link come from? And what implications does it have for our overall happiness?
Masculinity & Penis Size: Why Are We Stuck On This Idea?
The link between masculinity & penis size rests on a few key ideas. Traditionally masculinity is often associated with strength and aggression. People who have these traits can be seen of as “more of a man”. From an evolutionary standpoint, it makes sense why our thoughts about masculinity evolved this way. In the history of our species, stronger and more aggressive males would have been able to defend and provide for their mates and any children. Evolution has favored this aggression by allowing their genetic traits to be passed on to future generations.
When we look at the animal kingdom we see other examples of this in action. It is well noted among the different species of apes that those who have larger testicles are more highly aggressive than the apes who do not. Research suggests that this is because the larger testicles also come with higher levels of testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for many things in the bodies of men. It regulates the sex drive, fat distribution within the body, muscle mass, strength, bone mass, as well as the production of sperm and red blood cells.
All the things that testosterone controls are linked to common and traditional ideas of what masculinity looks like. So if we think about it, makes a certain amount of sense that we would associate larger penises with masculinity.
How Does This Impact Us in the Modern Day?
Evolution happens slowly and over long periods of time. Thanks to the development of culture and technology, things are not impacted in the same way. Natural selection evolution does not have the same hold over humanity in the way it did in the history of our species. Our society has changed us and how we interact but we are still dancing to the tune of evolution based on centuries before us. It is not necessary for men to be hunters, protectors, and providers. So where does that leave us?
With the evolutionary drive still present but no outlet for its original purpose, the outlet for it has changed. In some ways, this change has not done us any favors. The traditional ideas of strength and aggression end up being expressed in other ways.
In our modern day world, masculinity can be easily and often called into question. Many men feel the need to prove their prowess and strength. No one wants to be seen as less or diminutive. Often this need ends up being expressed through aggression and violence. In many cultures, there is a high level of violence from men towards men as well as other groups. Male perpetuated violence is a serious problem. It’s also a problem that impacts everyone, not just men.
How Does All This Impact Male Security?
Many men worry about the size of their penis. There is a whole industry centered around quick fix ways to convince men that they can make their penis larger even though many of them don’t work. Some forms of erectile dysfunction are rooted in feelings of inadequacy and anxiety over penis size.
The traditional ideas of masculinity create a fragile sense of ego for many men. Some men can’t handle any perceived challenges to their masculinity. Other men suffer from low self-esteem and self-worth because they don’t see themselves as masculine at all.
The difficult thing about both these situations is that traditional ideas of masculinity don’t give men a way to ask for help. If a man is struggling with mental health, self-esteem, or body dimorphism not only are there fewer resources available but the guy in question may be less likely to reach out. They may see seeking help as a further blow to their sense of masculinity. So how do we help men overcome these challenges?
Redefining Masculinity
Many traditional ideas and concepts that we have held onto as a society were created by past generations. They continued to be passed along through generations often because people see it as the way things have always been. The problem with this is that these traditions were created in a time when things were totally different. It may have made sense then but does it make sense now? Does the hunter/gatherer perspective of masculinity make sense in today’s age?
We need to re-evaluate what we think of masculinity and what it means. As a society, we are already starting to re-think some of these concepts. Acknowledging the existence of toxic masculinity is one way we have begun to explore new concepts and ways of thinking about masculinity.
By exploring these new ideas we can redefine what makes sense for masculinity in today’s world. We can give men the freedom and rights to express their emotions without being seen as less masculine. We can give men the freedom to accept help for mental and emotional problems. All of these things will eventually lead to less male perpetrated violence.
Don’t Get Too Hung Up on Masculinity & Penis Size
The link between masculinity & penis size is something many of us were raised with. One of the wonderful things about getting older is the ability to develop critical thinking skills and challenge the status quo. Just because something has always been a certain way doesn’t mean that it’s right. Don’t be afraid to challenge your own assumptions.
Enjoyed this article? Join our mailing list for more fabulous articles on sex, sexual health, gender, relationships, and consent. Build your knowledge to improve your sex life and have better relationships. You can also support us by picking up a special item from our online shop. We have some thought-provoking as well as scandalously fun stuff there. Lastly, if you’re looking for more fun content, join us on Patreon for exclusive and excellent content!
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